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
Grange Estate Brings Modern Luxury to Dundee Hills
Foley Wines created a hidden-gem hospitality experience in Oregon’s popular vineyard region.
I have a confession. Although I have long loved Pinot Noir, it wasn’t until January of this year that I visited Oregon’s Dundee Hills, a 12,500-acre American Viticultural Area about 30 miles southwest of Portland. I’ve spent time in the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, the Columbia Gorge, and even Portland proper, but for some reason had…
Like Nowhere Else
Muckleshoot Casino Resort. The biggest and best in the northwest.
Photos courtesy of Muckleshoot Casino Resort. Located south of Seattle, Muckleshoot Casino Resort offers a truly unforgettable escape—one with indulgence, relaxation, and exhilaration, all right at your fingertips. Whether you’re planning a thrilling night out, a spontaneous staycation or a memorable weekend away, this is the experience you’ve been looking for. Our luxurious hotel has…
Winter Isn’t Over Yet
Why now might be the best time to take your kids skiing.
For many avid skiers in the Pacific Northwest, this winter has been a bust. Drier-than-normal conditions and a lack of snow have put a real damper on powder days, lift operations, and access to the mountains. As an avid backcountry skier, I’ve noticed the lean conditions and have not made it a priority to get…
The Rise of the Experience Economy
REI brings back guided travel, betting that memories matter more than stuff.
In my household, with two young boys under the age of five, we often have to remind them to take things back. Did you really mean to tell dad that his dinner isn’t good? You might want to take that back. Did your brother deserve to be hit? Let’s rethink that one. Extreme analogies aside,…