Riding Our National Parks

Cruising through (some of) America's national treasures

February 2005 Feature Mary O'Byrne and Lane Lindstrom

WASHINGTON

Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is located in southwestern Washington and has some of the most rugged backcountry in the state. Still an active volcano, Mount Rainier dominates the terrain, standing at 14,410 feet tall and can clearly be seen from Seattle. Mount Rainier is encased in more than 35 square miles of snow and ice.
There are several riding opportunities within the park- two in the south and one in the northeast corner. In the southwest corner, snowmobiles are permitted to ride along a 6.5-mile stretch of  Westside Road from its junction with the main park road to Round Pass (elevation 3,900 feet). Riders can also ride the Cougar Rock Campground loop. In the southeast corner of the park riders can explore from the Steven's Canyon Entrance to the road tunnel at Box Canyon. In the north, snowmobilers can ride the 12-mile unplowed stretch from the North Park Boundary to the White River Campground on Washington Highway 410.

MRNP General Information
 Snowmobiling is only allowed where previously mentioned. No off-trail riding is allowed.
 Be prepared for extreme winter conditions and check avalanche forecasts prior to entering the park.

Mount Rainier National Park
Elevation 2,032-4,400 feet
Snowfall 300 inches
Trails 18.5 plus miles
Location Southwest Washington
Entrance Fee $5
Closest Trail System Yakima, Mt. Adams/Mt. St. Helens
National Park Established 1899
Size 235,625 acres
Full-Service Town Greenwater
Nearest Airport Seattle (60 miles)
Information Mount Rainier National Park
(360) 569-2211 ext. 3314 or
www.nps.gov/mora

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