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Mt. Rainier Visitor Association Blog

Sharing the beauty and information about Mt. Rainier and the lovely Nisqually Valley area with visitors from around the world.

Deadhorse Creek Trail and Moraine Trail

The Paradise area is filled with wildflowers this time of year, and the fields are filled with bright-spotted beauties while the trails are packed with eager photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.  In can be tricky trying to find any solitude at Paradise this time of year, but Deadhorse Creek Trail and the Moraine Trail to the west side of Paradise are good options for getting away from the crowds.

The easiest way to begin is to park in the lower parking lot at Paradise, which is southwest of the Visitor Center.  This 2.5 mile hike is moderate with wide trails that are paved for a portion of the walk. There is a 400 ft elevation gain that takes place mostly within the first .75 mile, with the middle section of the hike flattening out, and the descent on the return.

From the trailhead at the lower parking lot, take the well-marked trail due north, bearing right at the first Y-intersection. If you park in the main Paradise parking lot, head up the stairs to where most of the trails begin and cut hard to your left.  You’ll be paralleling the Visitor Center on the Avalanche Lily Trail and you’ll cross the Alta Vista Trail, and then you’ll come to the T intersection of Deadhorse Creek Trail where you will take a right.

Once you’re on Deadhorse Creek Trail there is no way to go wrong, as there are many other trails that intersect Deadhorse.  You can turn around if you are tired or let your feet guide you towards the glacier, a field of flowers, into the valley, or towards a creek.  If you continue to follow Deadhorse Creek Trail, after about 3/4 of a mile you will have the option to turn left onto the Moraine Trail.

The Moraine Trail is not a loop, but it does take you right down to the “snout” of the Nisqually Glacier. Most visitors skip this option as the trail is unpaved and easy to overlook.  The Moraine Trail is a great place to veer off the more-frequented Deadhorse Creek Trail, dip over a rise and head down into the valley where the Nisqually Glacier sits.  You can find a few rocks to relax upon and soak up the quiet of your own corner of Paradise before retracing your steps on the Moraine Trail and rejoining Deadhorse Creek.  If you choose to turn back now, the round-trip hike would be just under 2.5 miles.   I recommend taking a left on Deadhorse Creek and continuing on a bit higher.

The Deadhorse Creek Trail meets up with the Skyline Trail after a half mile, and you could either take a right on the Skyline Trail to head back towards the Paradise Visitor Center Parking Lot, or you could push on another .2 miles for a spectacular view from the Glacier Vista trail. Either way, once you begin heading down the Skyline Trail you could also opt to switch over to the Alta Vista Trail after a .5 mile.  At this point, head wherever the beauty calls to you or wherever there are less people to mar your view.  All trails had back to the Paradise Visitor Center Parking Lot, or if you cut to the right (west) on the Waterfall Trail or the Avalanche Lily Trail, they will bring you back down to the lower parking lot.

Any path at Paradise is going to provide you with spectacular views and wildflowers through the rest of the month. Prepare to be awed!

Posted on August 26, 2014

Where to Stay When You Come to Play

Mt. Rainier National Park draws people from all over the world to its gates, spreading a respect for nature and the beauty it holds. It only fits that the surrounding area is just as unique and beautiful. The year-round Nisqually Entrance is located in Ashford, WA. The town is a mere 6 miles from the park entrance, and home to lodgings that turn a National Park trip into a vacation you’ve dreamed about- unless your dream vacation is at a chain hotel, then you’re out of luck. The charm of a small mountain town is magnified in its lodging owners. The hotels, cabins, spas, and inns are locally owned, and their managers a wealth of local information. As I said before, you won’t find a Best Western or an Applebee’s in Ashford, but you will find that each lodging is unique and full of character. While there is a long list of places to stay (visit our lodging page here), let us introduce a couple to you.

Bowman’s West Wind Woods rents two charming cabins. If you’re looking to escape from a city, these cabins may be perfect for you. Decorated with comfortable country décor, you’ll forget all about rush hour traffic and loud neighbors. Both cabins have 2 queen beds, with extra cots available, perfect for families or trips with friends. The larger of the cabins comes with a TV and DVD player, and a full kitchen, including the pots and pans you’d need, you only have to bring the food! The smaller of the cabins has a galley kitchen, with a ½ fridge and a microwave, perfect for visitors who plan on eating at the local restaurants during their stay. The cabins aren’t all that Bowman’s has to offer, there is also a covered picnic area with a barbeque available- there’s nothing better than a summer barbeque! And while you’re there, make sure to keep an eye on the meadow, where majestic herds of elk can often be spotted!

Stormking Spa and Cabins (check out our Spa Blog) is another unique choice for your stay. Choosing between the five cabins may be difficult, but you can’t make a wrong choice! In each cabin you’ll enjoy a private hot tub, gas fireplace, Stormking’s special blend of fresh-roasted coffee, herbal teas, and hot chocolate, and a complimentary breakfast plate. The cabins’ décor reflects the beauty of the Nisqually Valley while maintaining a luxurious feeling highlighted by the handcrafted aromatherapy soaps and beds so comfortable you might just forget about that hike you had in mind. Each cabin also has a microwave, refrigerator, coffee pot, and assorted dishes. Stormking has been featured in both ‘Northwest Best Places’ and ‘Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest’, it’s not hard to imagine why!

(Stormking’s Facebook)

There are so many great lodgings in the Nisqually River Valley, it’s easy to find one that’s right for you- check out the full list of lodgings here. We understand how important where you stay can be on a vacation, if you have any questions call the Visitor Center at 360-569-0910, or e-mail info@mt-rainier.com, let us help you find your perfect fit!

Posted on April 26, 2014

Relax and Reconnect at Mt Rainier

Mt. Rainier is not just for outdoor enthusiasts, skiers, snowshoers, or get-up-and-go-er’s. Mt. Rainier also has an incredibly relaxing, luxurious, peaceful side! There truly is something for everyone here, which makes vacation planning SO much easier. With Valentine’s Day approaching, we’re going to explore some of the awesome spa options near Mt. Rainier- but you know that you don’t need a holiday to treat yourself to a relaxing weekend, right? Good, because these guys are open year-round!

Alexander’s Country Inn is a one-stop relaxation destination. Alexander’s Spa includes Full-Body Relaxation, Deep Tissue, Neck, Back, and Shoulder, Leg and Feet, and Personalized massages. Pay a little attention to that spot you tweaked lifting the too-heavy-for-one-person-to-lift-but-you-tried-anyways object, or to that stress not you’ve been developing from work. They want you to leave happy and relaxed. They also offer other treatments,  including facials, body polish, heated stones, packages, and more- check out their brochure here. You can also turn you’re your spa appointment into a weekend getaway by booking a room, Alexander’s Country Inn has a  complimentary  full breakfast served in it’s restaurant, a hot tub overlooking their trout pond, and complimentary wine by the fireplace. Top all that off with being a mere mile from the Nisqually Entrance to Mt. Rainier!

The turn before Alexander’s is Stormking Spa. Stormking offers many different wraps, polishes, relaxing baths, and massages. Their most popular are their couples packages, check them out, possibly receive the long term benefits of each of you being taught to give a massage by a professional, I can see that coming in handy when you head back to the stress of work and life! They also have great packages just for you, everyone needs to enjoy some alone time once in a while! Remember, you aren’t restricted to packages, if you only want a massage, or a seaweed wrap- no problem! This weekend is all about you after all. Once you’ve relaxed from one of their services, you can extend the relaxation by venturing out to the hot tub or sauna by the creek, or stay the night in one of the cabins and enjoy your own private hot tub! Stormking helps you achieve true mountain bliss.

I’m about to make your life harder, because we have yet another fabulous spa choice! Wellspring Spa keeps it simple, offering massages, hot tubs, and saunas, and simple works! This is perfect for those looking for a low-key environment that helps you relax your body and your mind. Don’t forget to take a stroll through Wellspring’s property to check out their unique cabins (we’re serious about the unique part!), tranquil ponds, and perfectly placed seating areas that will help you to reconnect with you.

There are so many unique lodgings in Ashford, you’re bound to find the perfect one for you and your needs. If that perfect cabin, hotel, or lodge doesn’t happen to be Alexander’s, Stormking, or Wellspring? No problem, you can still enjoy spa treatments if you’re not staying with them! Find the combination that will make your stay relaxing and fun, grab a bottle of wine and some snow gear, and head towards the mountain!

Posted on February 10, 2014
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