DOG FRIENDLY MOUNT RAINIER

”The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Go”

~ John Muir

PAWTRIP MT RAINIER and MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, our Nation’s fifth National Park! Did you know Mt. Rainier is the tallest of the 15 volcanoes in the Cascade Mountain Range at 14,410’ and has over 25 major glaciers, the most of any mountain peak in the continental United States?

We did a lot of research and planning for our late August 3-day, 2-night adventure, identifying pet friendly lodging and all of the scenic viewpoints we could stop at on the Mountain. Some of the resources we found helpful are listed at the end of this blog.

In Mt. Rainier National Park dogs are only allowed in parking lots, turnouts and campgrounds (anywhere a car can go is how a Mountain Concierge put it.)

We like to go during the week to avoid crowds and take advantage of better room rates.  We usually go in the Fall or Spring, but in this case I wanted to ride the Mt. Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain before it closed for the summer.

Here’s the Mt. Rainier National Park map:  The paw prints are dog friendly stops.

DAY 1

We left on Monday at 8:00 am. The traffic Gods were smiling down on us as we breezed North on the I-5 from Portland to WA exit 68/Hwy12E/White Pass.  The turnoff is about an hour and 45 minute drive from Portland, Oregon.

White Pass is a very scenic roadway with charming small towns, serene lakes, meandering streams, and mountains of trees as far as the eye can see.

The end of the road for us was the town of Packwood (and the last gas stop before entering the Park!!!…Oops!).

As we approached Packwood, an Elk stood by the side of the road greeting us, so we pulled over and I barked a hello back.

We found out later that the town of Packwood is known for their resident Elk Herd who like to gather in the local convenience store parking lot.

From Packwood we took Highway 123 North into the SE STEVENS CANYON entrance to the park continuing to Crystal Mountain Resort which is located just outside the Northeast WHITE RIVER ENTRANCE to the Park.  Follow the the yellow highlighted route north to just outside the park, then southeast on the map below.

“Hot diggedy Dog”…a GONDOLA RIDE at CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RESORT to the Summit, 6,872’!  And guess what?  Dogs get to ride during the summer months for FREE with their owners! Check out the view!

I also got to sit on the PAWTIO at the SUMMIT HOUSE RESTAURANT  (the highest restaurant in Washington.)  Our waitress said this was the best weather they’d had all summer.

Dive-bombing Birds, sneaky chipmunks, food…unsuspecting diners, Beware!

Here are some sunbathers enjoying the view and perfect weather!  There weren’t any open chairs or we would have joined them.

And here I am in front of the CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN TRAIL MAP.  All of the trails at Crystal Mountain Resort are Dog friendly and vary in length and difficulty.  On this trip we only walked a short way on the Northway Trail along the Summit.

Our Lodging was just across the Crystal Mountain Resort parking lot at the Dog Friendly VILLAGE INN.  I felt right at home on the comfy log bed, surrounded by pine furnishings. (Carole brought a sheet to put on the bed)

DAY 2

After a good night’s sleep we had a complimentary continental breakfast at the nearby Alpine Inn.  Dogs are allowed outside on their porch.

After Breakfast we went in search of gas at the nearest town of Greenwater, about a 30 min. drive away, but they were out, so we ended up in Enumclaw an hour from the Resort. Lesson learned!

Note:  Not far from Crystal Mountain, there is also a pet friendly drive/hike off the 410/Chinook Highway to Enumclaw, SUNTOP LOOKOUT. Northwest Forest Pass Required.

Back we drove past the Crystal Mountain Resort turnoff, through the WHITE RIVER PARK ENTRANCE and not long after, took a right turn on the road to Sunrise where we finally got to show our National Park Pass!  Up we went winding our way to SUNRISE POINT. Parking here was on the left in a good-size parking lot.

Then on to SUNRISE, the highest point accessible by car on Mt. Rainier at 6,400′.  Besides the breathtaking mountain views pictured below there were lovely meadows!  I decided to take a break from getting in and out of the car here and rested while Carole took photos.  Not pictured are the Alpine Meadows, Visitor’s Center and parking lot.

Then back down the Mountain we went. The drive down more spectacular for the Mountain View.

Back on 123 S we drove with the windows down enjoying the cool, fresh mountain air and first signs of Fall, while making our way to the STEVENS PASS PARK ENTRANCE where we once again got to show our National Park Pass.

Note: Two other Viewpoints along the way we didn’t stop at but were just a short drive off Hwy 123 on the Cayuse Pass were the CHINOOK PASS & TIPSOO LAKE overlooks.

We now began a series of scenic Stops. The paw prints on the map from right to left represent the viewpoints where I was allowed to get out of the car.

As we began our drive, there was the brief smell of smoke (I was “growling and a howling and a sniff’in the air…”) from the recent wildfires but it quickly dissipated.

We saw, but missed the first obvious turnout on our left, BACKBONE RIDGE…  And while we didn’t stop, we could see the Amazing view of Mt. Rainier as we drove on by.

It was only when we reached BOX CANYON, that we realized the turnout we’d passed was Backbone Ridge. Note:  Parking at Box Canyon is on the left.

For this photo imagine looking straight down into the canyon which is what Carole did when she took this picture from the bridge.

Next stop, MARTHA FALLS VIEWPOINT.  A narrow pull out on the left. Here you look across the Valley to Martha Falls shooting out of the forest….For perspective, see the speck of white in the first photo and then closer view in the second photo as Carole zoomed in on this faraway waterfall

We Missed THE BENCH but pulled over to the left soon after to take a picture of LAKE LOUISE on the right.  You can just glimpse the lake through the trees.

And then a short distance away we parked on our left again for a picture of SUNBEAM CREEK.

Here I am at REFLECTION LAKE. Parking is on the right…There wasn’t a reflection of Mt. Rainier when we stopped,  but a group of tourist’s asked if they could take my picture! “I’m ready for my close up Mr. DeMille!”

INSPIRATION POINT is well deserving of its name. The view is both imposing and inspiring. There is a large parking lot on the left. Hardly anyone was there so we pretty much had the Mountain to ourselves.

This picture of RUBY FALLS was taken above the Paradise Bridge, no turnout, but since there wasn’t any traffic, we pulled over, Carole jumped out, ran back, and took a photo.

From the bridge we made a right turn on the road up to PARADISE stopping at GLACIER VISTA on the left.

Carole was really looking forward to visiting Paradise having read “A Year in Paradise” by Floyd Schmoe, and had  imagined the picturesque setting of Mount Rainier and Paradise Inn.

However, when we saw all the people, cars and construction, we just decided to drive through the upper parking lot and pull over long enough to take pictures of Mt. Rainier, and the famous John Muir quote “…the most luxuriant and most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in my mountaintop wanderings.” that was etched on the granite staircase.

Note:  The Paradise Annex is currently undergoing “rehabilitation.”  Completion is scheduled for Summer 2019.

(Also note we were told besides the parking lot, that dogs are allowed on the Paradise Inn porch)

Then down the mountain we went, taking a left onto the one way loop drive and stopping at the two consecutive RICKSECKER turnouts on the right.  “Click”

Back to the Main Road and left again, continuing to CHRISTINE FALLS.  There is a parking lot on the left before the bridge. This was a very popular spot.

From Christine Falls we drove without stopping through LONGMIRE (during our research we had been told to park behind the Inn and walk to the front for a View of the Mountain,) and past KAUTZ CREEK (parking on left).

These would have been great stops if we had entered the Park at the NISQUALLY ENTRANCE providing our first views of Mount Rainier, but instead we didn’t stop deciding to just keep going, driving through the Old Growth of Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Red Cedar and out the NISQUALLY Park Entrance.

Farewell Mt Rainier, and in the words of  e.e. cummings:

“Thank you God for this most amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky: and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes.”

Our final night stay was at the Pet Friendly MILL VILLAGE MOTEL in Eatonville about a 30 minute drive from the Nisqually park entrance.

DAY 3

A brief walk at a nearby park and we hit the road home taking White Pass back to the I-5 South.

“Home Carole and don’t spare the horses!”

Note:  In Eatonville there is a dog friendly moderate 5.3 mile out and back hike, LITTLE MASCHEL FALLS TRAIL in PACK FOREST.  No permit or fee required.

MT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

www.nps.gov/mora

• 55210 238th Ave. East, Ashford, WA  98304
• 360-569-2211
• There are several entrance to the Park:  SW – Nisqually, SE – Stevens Canyon, NE – White River, NW – Carbon River
• National Park Pass or Entrance Fee Required
• Pets must be on leash no longer than 6′ and are not allowed in buildings, on trails, in off-trail or backcountry areas, or on snow

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RESORT

www.crystalmountainresort.com

• 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd, Enumclaw, WA  98022
• 360-663-2265
• During the summer Dogs on leash are allowed on hiking trails, the Mt. Rainier Gondola, the Summit House Patio and Alpine Inn Decks
• Parking Permit not required
• Pet friendly Lodging at VILLAGE INN
  • 33818 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
  • 1-888-SKI-6400
  • Pet Room Rate includes pet fee
  • Amenities:  Small Refrigerator,Flatscreen TV, Cable, Wifi, Coffeemaker, Heater, Continental Breakfast at Alpine Inn, Dog Waste Bags available in front of and behind Inn.
  • Bring Dog bowls, sheet or Dog Bed, food/treats, etc.

MILL VILLAGE MOTEL

www.whitepasstravel.com/millvillage

• 210 Center St. E, Eatonville, WA  98328
• 360-832-3200
• I would suggest checking to see if pet friendly room available but booking through a reservation website so you receive a confirmation.
• Room Rate + Pet Fee
• Room Amenities: Breakfast, Coffeemaker, Flatscreen TV and Cable, Wifi, Refrigerator, Microwave, Air Conditioning and Heat, Blackout Curtains

OTHER RESOURCES:

VISIT RAINIER  https://visitrainier.com

ROAD GUIDE TO MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK  http://www.dartmouth.edu/~volcano/texts/DekRainier.html

WHITE PASS SCENIC BYWAY  whitepassbyway.com

MOUNT RAINIER TRAVEL TIMES https://2is1ib1gauzt43v0d61gfhsq-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Mt-Rainier_Travel_Times.pdf

TRIPAVISOR

AND PINTEREST PINS:

“Things to do Mount Rainier National Park” Park Ranger John

“The Waterfalls of MT RAINIER Nat’l Park” Rob Taylor

“The Ultimate Guide to Mount Rainier-National Park” Roadtrippers

“How to spend 1 Day at Mount Rainier National Park” Mytanfeet

CODY’S PACKING LIST
Dog Food
Medications
Mosquito Spray
Paw Butter
Baby Wipes
Towel
Dog Treats
Brush
Dog Bowls
Dog Food
Canned Pumpkin
Sheet
Dog First Aid Kit
Water
Fleece Vest for Cold
Calming Vest
Regular and Handsfree Leash
Dog Waste Bags
Safety Harness