Travel
There’s a Lot to Do En Route to Mount Rainier
Enjoy a few side excursions on the way to this national park.
By Callie Little September 11, 2017
This article originally appeared in the September 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
The route: The park has four entrances, but the White River entrance, off State Route 410 and via Puyallup and Enumclaw, offers several worthwhile stopping points.
Fall Flavor: The Puyallup Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; 330 S Meridian; is where handmade wares, plant starts, seasonal produce and international food carts abound. Choose some bounty for a picnic, and then round it out when you reach Enumclaw with a few slices from The Pie Goddess (Enumclaw, 1100 Griffin Ave.; 360.625.8568). Kids will enjoy a detour to Thomasson Family Farm (Enumclaw, 38223 236th Ave. SE; 360.802.0503; $3–$12), which offers a variety of seasonal farm activities, from corn mazes to cow milking.
Photograph by Thomasson Family Farm. Family fun can be had at Thomasson Family Farm.
Peak Interest: As you continue your journey on SR 410, turn onto Crystal Mountain Boulevard to reach the Crystal Mountain Resort (open daily through September 17) and its spectacular gondola ride ($12–$33), a 2,000-foot ascension above the evergreens to Summit House, (360.663.3085), Washington’s highest-elevation restaurant. From here, Mount Rainier looks close enough to touch.
High Point: Wind your way back to SR 410, through the nearby White River park entrance and continue to Sunrise. It’s the highest vehicle-accessible point in the park, and features a visitor center (open until mid-September) and day lodge (open until late September).
A variety of trailheads offer hiking options and be sure to enjoy a picnic and some photo ops before trekking home.
Photo by: Jason Anglin. A meal with a view at the Summit House.
Chill & Chug
Take the Train
See Mount Rainier from a different perspective via a steam train that leaves from the Mt. Rainier Railroad & Logging Museum (Elbe, 54124 Mountain Hwy. E; 888.783.2611; $21–$54) on weekends and travels across the Upper Nisqually River to the small community of Mineral and back. For an adults-only excursion, hit up Rails to Ales (21 and older; 9/30–10/1; $54–$69), a craft-brew tasting with live music, catering, refreshments and some of Washington’s best beer.
Follow Us
Rancho La Puerta: A Sanctuary For Holistic Health
Unwind at This Luxurious Wellness Retreat
Rancho La Puerta is known as the original wellness resort in North America. Founded in 1940 by husband-and-wife Edmond and Deborah Szekely, “The Ranch,” as it’s come to be known, was espousing the importance of holistic living decades before its time. The foundational principles of living a well-balanced life that started The Ranch — emphasizing…
Bellingham, Whatcom County Grapple with Plummeting Tourism
Visits from Canada are down about 30%
The city of Bellingham is just one of the many victims of the political turmoil roiling the United States right now. Dylan Deane-Boyle is on the front lines of it. Deane-Boyle has served as president and CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism for more than two years. He watched with apprehension as President Trump first talked…
Four Exciting New Hotel Openings for 2025
Urban luxury, European inspiration, and a wine-themed resort
Unlike other options, hotels offer more than just a bed for the night. They turn lobbies into social hubs, become neighborhood anchors, and raise the bar on food and drink. These new hotel openings for 2025 should be just as exciting for Seattleites as they are for visitors. Hotel Westland: A New Era for Pioneer…
Thinking About Moving to Ireland? You’re Not Alone.
Washington leads the nation in searches for a path to Ireland
Two years ago, my family took a trip to Ireland. We hiked through lush green hills, rode shaggy horses in open fields, wandered through small towns, and, of course, ended most nights in a pub with a pint of Guinness and live music. Lately, my thinking has taken a turn. Post-election madness, the looming recession,…