Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mount_Rainier_from_Paradise.jpg
Cullen328


Mount Rainier National Park is a national park in Washington state. It is one of the oldest national park of the United States. The park covers 235,625 acres (953.5 sq km) and includes the 14,411-foot (4,300-m) stratovolcano Mount Rainier. The mountain is often covered by clouds and experiences copious amounts of rain.

Surrounding Mount Rainier are valleys, meadows and old growth forests. Visitors to the park can take its many trails including the Wonderland Trail which encircles Mount Rainier. There are waterfalls, rivers and 26 glaciers within the national park area, including Carbon Glacier, the largest glacier by volume in the United States, and Emmon Glacier, the largest by area.

Cowlitz Chimneys, Mount Rainier National Park
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Walter Siegmund


Evidence of human presence in the Mount Rainier area came in the form of a projectile point which is dated to be 4,000 to 5,800 years old. Hunting tools have also been discovered in a rock shelter near Fryingpan Creek. Scientists believe that Native Americans hunted and gathered there, but do not make permanent habitation within the area.

The area because a protected forestland called the Pacific Forest Reserve in 1893. It was enlarged in 1897 and renamed Mount Rainier Forest Reserve. Then on 2 March, 1899 President William McKinley signed a bill for the creation of Mount Rainier National Park. It was the fifth national park to be created.

Flett Glacier, Mount Rainier
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flett_Glacier_with_Echo_Rock.JPG
Erik Swanson

Visiting Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

The roads to Mount Rainier National Park is prone for closure whenever the weather is bad. It is wise to check road statusbefore planning your trip. Many roads also close for winter from mid October to early May.

Coming from Seattle, take Washington State Route 7 (Mountain Highway) south until Elbe, then continue east on State Route 706 to Mount Rainier National Park. While the park is open all year round, getting there in winter may be a challenge, with most roads closed.

Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is the main visitor center. It is open 10:00 to 5:00 pm daily through summer, and weekends and holidays through winter. Entrance fees for private vehicles is $15 while visitors (aged 16 and above) coming on foot or any other transport pay $5 per person.

List of National Parks in the United States

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