Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ohanapecosh Visitors Center ( 9am-5pm May-mid-Oct) At the park's southeastern
corner on Hwy 123. The displays here focus on tree identification and the local old-
growth forest. Rangers also offer information on hiking trails.
White River Entrance
Rainier's main eastern entrance is the gateway to Sunrise, which at 6400ft marks the
park's highest road. Thanks to the superior elevation here, the summer season is particu-
larly short and snow can linger well into July. It is also noticeably drier than Paradise,
resulting in an interesting variety of subalpine vegetation, including masses of wild-
flowers.
The views from Sunrise are famously spectacular and - aside from stunning close-ups
of Mt Rainier itself - you can also, quite literally, watch the weather roll in over the dis-
tant peaks of Mts Baker and Adams. Similarly impressive is the glistening Emmons Gla-
cier, which, at 4 sq miles in size, is the largest glacier in the contiguous USA.
Activities
Day hikes from Sunrise offer dramatic scenery and rewarding mountain vistas, and while
the crowds here can be thick in the summer, the lack of tour buses makes it substantially
quieter than Paradise.
A trailhead directly across the parking lot from the Sunrise Lodge Cafeteria provides
access to the Emmons Vista , with good views of Mt Rainier, Little Tahoma and the Em-
mons Glacier. Nearby, the 1-mile Sourdough Ridge Trail takes you out into pristine sub-
alpine meadows for stunning views over the Washington giants of Mt Rainier, Mt Baker,
Glacier Peak and Mt Adams.
To get to Emmons Glacier , you'll need to set off from the White River Campground,
13 miles by road from Sunrise. Look out for both mountain goats and mountain climbers
ascending the Inter Glacier as you track west along the Glacier Basin Trail . The official
overlook is about 1 mile from the campground along a spur path to the left.
Sleeping & Eating
White River Campground CAMPGROUND$
( 360-663-2273; campsites $12; late Jun-mid-Sep) This 112-site campground is 10 road
miles or 3.5 steep trail miles downhill from Sunrise. Facilities include flush toilets, drink-
ing water and crowded, though not unpleasant, camping spaces.
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