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Mount Rainier National Park

A Little Bit Of Aurora Seen Along The Sourdough Ridge Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

The faint pink color of an aurora in the sky above a still-dark night sky at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

Because of very strong solar storms, the Aurora Borealis was showing up in national parks further south than usually seen, such as at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. The human eye cannot always detect an aurora in dim light and a camera with a very slow shutter speed and a wide aperture often captures what the naked eye does not see.

Rebecca Latson

A Misty Sunrise Over "The Mountain" And Tipsoo Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

Sunrise over a snowcapped mountain beneath a blue sky and pink clouds, with the misty reflection of Tipsoo Lake in the foreground, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

Located about 1/4 mile (0.4 km) past the Chinook Pass Entrance Arch on Washington SR 410, you will pass a long paved parking area to your right for the overlook to Tipsoo Lake, a subalpine lake set in a glacier-carved basin. That will be your first glimpse of Mount Rainier ("The Mountain," as locals like to call it) in Mount Rainier National Park as you continue driving into the park. There is a large parking area further down the road where you can park your car and hike around Tipsoo Lake.

Rebecca Latson

Mount Rainier National Park

On a clear sunny day in the Seattle/Tacoma area of Washington State, the locals often remark “The Mountain is out.” Gaze eastward and you, too, will see The Mountain, a 14,410-foot-tall (4,392 m) volcano towering over the landscape in all its glacier-flanked glory. It’s a sight to behold. It’s also the centerpiece of Mount Rainier National Park.

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 297 | Trail of the Lost

Silhouettes of three hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. Photo by Igor Pankovcin.

The National Trail System in the United States spans many thousands of miles of foot trail. The crown jewels of that system, of course, are the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail.

While the adventurous might look at those long trails and set their sights on hiking one end from end, not all manage to complete the journey. Many become disillusioned after days spent hiking in the rain, or because they become homesick, or because of the blisters that sprout on their feet.

Photography In The National Parks: To Tripod, Or Not To Tripod

Traveler contributing photographer Rebecca Latson was always told to use a tripod for really sharp landscape shots, as well as providing stability for heavy telephoto lenses capturing wildlife portraits. After years of camerawork and tens of thousands of images, however, Rebecca believes you don’t always need a tripod.

Mount Rainier Seeking Public Input On Timed-Entry Reservation Pilot Program

In an effort aimed at reducing congestion, crowding, destruction of fragile areas, and ease strain on infrastructure and resources, Mount Rainier National Park initiated a timed-entry pilot program lasting through September 2, 2024. The park is now seeking public input on the success (or failure) of this program.

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