Seattle - Mt. Rainier National Park
- Hannah Nietfeld
- Mar 22
- 6 min read
August 31st, 2025
What does someone who loves to hike does while in Washington? Yes, hike. Although Saturday's hike at North Cascades was difficult, I would not let that set me back from going on one more hike while I'm here. North Cascades is one of the least visited National Parks in the nation, interestingly enough, and today, we are visiting one of the most recognizable mountain peak, Mount Rainier National Park.
Prior to my trip to Seattle, I heard great things about Mount Rainier and really wanted to see it for myself. So, when we had one more free day, I pleaded my case for us to visit Mt. Rainier National Park. So, Miles caved and to Mount Rainier we went for our Sunday plans. To take into consideration the fact we hiked 11 miles with 3000ft of elevation gain yesterday, we chose an easier trail at Rainier, Skyline Loop at Paradise.
I trusted Miles when he said it is super easy, and it would be easy for Miles on a well rested day. However, for me, post yesterday's hike, I can't say that it was 'easy'. The hike was a 6 mile loop with 1600ft of elevation gain. I was under the impression easy would be 800ft, which was half of what we did, so you can guess I was not expecting it to be as challenging as it was. But, the first half was the biggest climb, and once you get to the glacier, that's when the trail evens out and you truly get to the best part, feeling as though you are frolicking through a meadow.
Let me back it up and set the scene for you. For one, we got there a bit late in the day so we could sleep in again, and the parking is a more of a juggle here because it is a highly visited park, but we got so lucky, swooping in to grab someone's spot right near the trailhead as they were on their way out. So, make sure to consider that before heading to this trail.
There's a bathroom by the trailhead, along with a concession-stand-like restaurant. Neither of us got anything to eat, but I made sure to use the restroom before leaving on the hike because I had another large coffee from Mile's local grocery store.
Beginning of the trail is paved and packed with people. There are a couple hiking routes that stem off from this trail, so it was crowded right near the trailhead, aka, with everyone that wasn't able to hike the full trail and went part of the way and turned around to conclude it just like that. The loop does offer some great views right at the beginning of the hike as Mount Rainier is omnipresent, but as you continue, you get closer to the glacier and it appears more towering and commanding.
So, we continued on, me secretly hiding how difficult the trail was for me given that my body was exhausted from yesterday's hike and I was getting hungry as we started the hike around 11:30am. But, I stopped for a snack break and that helped substantially, and I let Miles fall ahead of me so I could take as many breaths and breaks as needed. It wasn't long before we hit 800ft of elevation, then 1000ft, and then we were creeping up to 1500ft. I also pulled up AllTrails so I could truly see how much elevation we had left so that I could mentally prepare myself for what was ahead.
We got to the first look out of the trail and took a breather. It was beautiful, as you would expect. This is the lookout the majority of hikers make it to and turn back. It is beautiful here, however they miss seeing the Glacier up close and the beautiful meadows that await on the second half of the loop! It's places like this that encourage me beyond belief to stay in shape, so that I have the ability to hike and explore these beautiful pockets of our world for as long into my life as I can.
We got up and had a bit to go to get to the top, so we put our heads down and trudged up the hill. Just like that, there it was! The amazing Mount Rainier! You could see the texture of the snow and ice on the glacier, the mini waterfalls from melted ice, and the ridged peaks of the mountain. Miles pointed out the base camp for climbing Mount Rainier, funny enough, those hikers use a portion of the Skyline Trail to get to the base camp. Again, we stayed up here for a bit to enjoy the view. I'm grateful that Miles likes to stay at the peak for as long as I do. Like I mentioned in my last blog, you work so hard for this very view that I will take every second I can to savor it.
This concluded the incline portion of our hike, and the remainder of the hike was an absolute dream. Because most do not complete the full, this portion of the hike was empty. It was incredible to enjoy this landscape and immersion into nature with the very few that made that same decision as us to complete the entire hike. I kid you not when I say that we walked past bubbling streams, whimsical prairie grass, over wooden bridges, and through the most enchanting valley. I could not recommend this hike, and almost solely because of this part of the hike. I even saw these plants that looked like the fluffy trees from the Lorax! It was that peaceful, lovely, and beautiful of a place on this earth. I could only imagine how it looks during spring bloom. That will be my next visit.
As we were nearing the end of our hike, we had one last WOW view, the rolling green hills with Rainier mounting over. Not a five minute walk from that incredible view was a mass of people lined up to get a photo on a bridge with the Mountain in the background. Little did they know that just 5 minutes farther they would get an even better view with no one there. Miles and I rushed past the mass of people and a few steps later we were at the trailhead. I understand that not all people have the physical ability to hike, but I wished that all of these people there to snap a pic would challenge themselves and embark upon the entire hike. Based on my experience, I believe it would bring them so much more bliss and peace, and isn't that why we should travel?
I tried to ration my water a bit more today, but when Miles let me know that we can refill our bottles at the hotel right outside the trailhead, I chugged my water. It was a lovely hotel, I bet you could imagine since it was right outside one of the best views of Rainier. We got our water, walked around the hotel a bit, and I bought a postcard at the gift store. We stopped back at the car to grab our lunch, it was around 4pm, and we found a place to sit outside to eat our sandwiches we bought at the grocery store that morning. We both got banh mi's and trusted they would stay good in the hot car while we hiked. And they were obviously good enough because we didn't get sick.
To continue the blissful day, on our drive out of the park, we rolled down the windows and blasted Ms. Lauryn Hill Doo Wap, both us singing and enjoying the wind passing through our fingers as we our bodies were tired from the hike but our spirits lifted high. The joy continued even after the main event.
You'd think the day couldn't get better right? Well, we made two more stops on our way back. Just outside of the park was an art studio where they sold all sorts of paintings, pottery, glass work, etc. Miles and I perused the store and he bought a card with some artwork on it! Across the street was a fruit stand, and I picked up a variation of peaches and pears. I had my eye out for Rainier cherries, but this stand didn't have any... But, we passed a place on the way to Rainier, so we past the stand on the way home, Miles pulled over for me and I got one of the last bags they sold the entire season. I popped one in my mouth and it was absolutely incredible. So juicy and sweet, different from a typical cherry, and better. I was so happy we stopped for these, it was the perfect post hike snack to have and a really cool new food tried!
And that was my near perfect day. I got to do everything I loved. Travel, hiking, quality time with friends, eat good food, try new things, and experience a moment of pure joy. I was loving this place called Seattle and was so grateful my friend Miles welcomed me here, sharing his love and appreciation with this place.
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