Mt. Rainer - Sunrise Visitor Center

Rainier

Mt. Rainier, Sunrise Visitor Center - 2nd week of September 2013
Mileage: Various
Elevation Gain: Various
Mt. Rainier Nat'l park
NOT Dog Friendly
Difficulty: Various

So, you've got family in town. You've done the obligatory trip to the market, maybe you were lucky enough to talk them out of a $20 elevator ride in the Space Needle. You've gone to the Zoo, the SAM, Boeing's Future of Flight tour (not to be missed by the way) and viewed downtown from Gasworks park. What the fuck do we do now?

Left to Right: My Mom, Chris, Me, Chris' Mom

Get in the car and drive for 2 hours and go to Sunrise Visitor Center. The drive out is actually fairly pleasant especially once you pass Enumclaw. On the way out of town be sure to take note of the miniature castle on the left. It's the most bad ass church playground in history.

Shadow lake seen from the trail to Frozen Lake

After Enumclaw it's pretty gorgeous. Initially it's pastureland with lovely views of Mt. Rainier all dressed in white. As you're going through the more forested areas be sure and stop at the vista point to stretch you legs. You can get a pretty photo of Rainier framed with trees Once you enter the park the views get more spectacular. The viewing area below the lodge has a some amazing vistas. Including a very pretty view of Sunrise lake framed by the surrounding peaks. Nice place to for a family photo-op.

Then you're at Sunrise Visitor Center. It's bloody gorgeous. the thing you have to remember about visiting Rainier is that you actually get to the mountain itself. you're on surrounding mountains. Which makes sense since it's hard to see a mountain you're standing on. Some how prior to going there I had never made that connection which made me feel like a huge doofus.

We decided we were going to Frozen Lake. I won't spend too much time describing it since it wasn't too impressive. I'm guessing it's more picturesque earlier in the summer when there's more snow. The walk to Frozen lake is quite pretty, Rainier of course looms over you but some of the other views are pretty stunning, including a peek at Shadow lake

If the folks you've brought aren't terribly athletic, or you've already worn them to a frazzle. They can enjoy the views from a lodge. In late September though, the lodge is only half open.

Everybody who is fair should also take note that if the weather is bright and sunny you should be layering your sunscreen, cause you're going to buuuurn.

Overall, I think Sunrise was gorgeous and I wish I would have had more time to check out some of the other day hike trails.

Chris and I heading up the hill from Sunrise

View just outside of Enumclaw

Chris' Mom looking out over the valley behind the ridge above Sunrise