While the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park will be open this weekend, not all services will be available due to the cool, snowy spring, say park officials.

Mount Rainier Superintendent Dave Uberuaga says that due to water system issues caused by the cool, late spring, some visitor services may be limited over the Fourth of July weekend.

The Sunrise Ranger Station located on the ground floor of the Sunrise Day Lodge will open on Friday, July 2. The Ranger Station will be used as the main visitor contact point this season while the Sunrise Visitor Center undergoes installation of new exhibits and other renovations, park officials says. The renovation project, which is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is scheduled to be completed by late August. The
Ranger Station will provide visitor information and sales items as well as ranger programs.

Concession facilities in Sunrise Lodge will open on Saturday, July 3, and provide gift sales and limited pre-packaged food service. Once the water issue is resolved, normal food service will be available to visitors.

Mowich Lake update:

Due to continued cool temperatures and lingering snowpack, opening of the Mowich Lake road is being delayed until noon on July 9. Much snow still remains at the lake and campground and the road into the lake is extremely wet and soft, according to park officials.

Visitors also are being reminded that a great deal of snow remains on the ground at the higher elevations of the park (6-8’ at Paradise and Sunrise) and trails remain snow covered. Lower elevation trails are relatively snow free. Check at the nearest visitor center or ranger station for current information or visit the Mount Rainier web page at www.nps.gov/mora and click on the Hiking and Climbing Quicklink for specific trail reports.