Mt. Rainier – Part 2 Packwood RV Park

Packwood RV Park—The park has full hookups but few trees, and the sites are close together. Its location is in the middle of town and within walking distance of restaurants. The big plus of this park is the distance to the east park entrance, which is closer than before, allowing us to rise a little later.  Another bonus of our stay here was spending time with new friends and having elk tramp through the campsite. Kudos to the Packwood Fire Department for putting on a fabulous Fourth of July firework display lasting 45 minutes.

Mt. St. Helens—Iron Creek Falls—This was a short hike off the side of the road and worth the stop. We never tire of waterfalls, be they small or magnificent. 

Mt. St. Helens—Windy Ridge Viewpoint—The winding road leading to this viewpoint is an adventure.  It’s a narrow two-lane road with breathtaking views along the way.  There are several outlooks, and each one is a thrilling stop.  When you reach the top, the 362 stairs leading to the summit are an exhilarating challenge.  Each step brings you closer to a bird’s-eye view of four majestic mountains.  From the top, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Jefferson proudly display their beauty.  Spirit Lake is also visible, and the mountain blooms make the climb up a distant memory. 

Covel & Angel Creek Falls – This journey first brings you to a no-name fall.  The hike continues to Covel Falls (75-foot drop), which is unique as the trail continues behind the falls.  Expect wet conditions as the spray leaves puddles in the ground, providing a gentle mist as you pass through.  If you continue, as we did, it will get interesting.  The trail becomes very narrow and steep, with switchbacks up the side of the mountain.  At times, fallen trees blocked the dirt path.  Climbing over these obstacles on the narrow trail caused some anxiety.  Angel Falls (175-foot drop) was our place to rest and take nourishment before continuing.  The remainder of the hike was rocky as it skirted under basalt cliffs.

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort -We decided to do something different by taking the gondola ride to the Summit House restaurant for lunch. Beneath the gondola, elk were grazing on the grass below. The summit is 6872 feet high.  Our Mediterranean bowl lunch was delicious.  Afterward, we sat in Adirondack chairs overlooking the mesmerizing beauty of Mt. Rainier.  I was accompanied by a butterfly who seemed content to rest on my hand the entire time.  It was a peaceful way to wind down the day.

Sunrise Point—We took the 7.5-mile drive to the overlook at a 6120-foot elevation. From here, we could see Mt. Rainier and the surrounding Cascade Range. On clear days, we could also see Mt. Adams and Mt. Baker. We did not engage in any hikes in this area but couldn’t miss the photo opportunity of this awe-inspiring panorama view.

Bench and Snow Lake Trail—This is a 2.2-mile out-and-back trail that takes you to see two lakes. We arrived early; only two other cars were in the parking lot. Upon our return, there were no parking spots for vehicles on the side of the road.  The mountain’s reflection in Snow Lake was beautiful, and the hike was a highlight. There are many ups and downs with some steps, but overall, it is a good hike.

Skyline Loop—This is the most strenuous hike we have taken since starting our journey, and we have done a lot of hiking. Along this hike, we have fantastic views of Nisqually Glacier, Mt. Adams, and St. Helene. We hiked in several snow-covered areas, which was a new experience. The sense of accomplishment we felt when we reached the top is indescribable.  Elation and exhaustion are the two adjectives used to express our feelings.  We used this time to enjoy the mountain-top views and nourish our bodies before returning to the parking lot.  The journey down had much more snow, and I sometimes found myself in knee-high snow.  Admittedly, a few times, the struggle with the snow ended with me falling and the snow being victorious.  Once we reached the area where the snow had melted, the new blooms of flowers were beautiful.  The end of the hike led us to Myrtle Falls, which was snow-covered only a week before and was now gone.  It was a long day, but the sense of triumph was well worth it.

Our two-week stay in Mt. Rainier and its surrounding area exceeded our expectations and provided us with lifelong memories.

Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com    Instagram: movebeyondordinary and Youtube