Altitude - 4392 m (according to 1988 data - 14,411 feet), this is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains. The relative altitude is 4030 m, which is higher than that of Chogori, the second peak in the world (4020 m) in absolute height (8611 m). In clear weather, the summit is viewed from Portland (Oregon) and Victoria (Vancouver Island).
Rainier is a dormant stratovolcano, small eruptions were recorded in 1820-1854, but there is evidence of volcanic activity also observed in 1858, 1870, 1879, 1882 and 1894. Today, according to the USGS, in the event of a strong eruption, about 150 thousand people may be in danger.
On the slopes and glaciers of the Rainier are the sources of many rivers (basins of Puyallup, White River, Columbia). Up to an altitude of 2500 m, the volcano is covered with coniferous forests, higher - alpine meadows, higher than 2800-3000 m - glaciers and eternal snow. On the peaks there are 40 glaciers with an area of 87 km², the largest of which is Emmons (14 km²). The volcano and the surrounding area are protected, has the status of Mount Rainier National Park (953.5 km²).
Rainier or Tahoma?
Rainier is one of the tallest volcanoes and one of the richest mountains in the world with glaciers. Rainier is also a dormant volcano and the main attraction of the National Park.
In terms of relative altitude, Rainier is even higher than Chogori, the second peak in the world, and 40 glaciers on Rainier cover 91 square kilometers. kilometer. In combination with heated rocky areas, the ice on Rainier forms only this mountain landscape: ice passages and caves. One of these caves leads to a small lake, the highest in North America.
Many rivers originate from the generous Rainier Glaciers, among them the Puyallup and the White River. Because of the white cap, oozing rivers, Rainier has long been called the "mother of rivers" - Tahoma. But the very first European in America, who saw Tahoma in the distant American West, renamed the peak in his own way. It was Captain George Vancouver and he called the find "simple and tasteful" - he "gave" a huge mountain to his friend Peter Rainier.
This name stuck for a long time: the mountain officially named Rainier is still sometimes, even in publications and books, continued to be called Tahoma. The local population sometimes simply speaks of it - “mountain”. So obviously Rainier-Tahoma dominates the entire district. In clear weather, the high mountain can be seen from Portland and Vancouver Island.
If you look at the mountain from afar, its top seems to be cut off, perhaps by a long-standing powerful volcanic eruption. However, the vast summit explored nearby turns out to be far from flat. It has three craters and three peaks. The peaks are named: Liberty Dome, Columbia Crest and Success Peak. And three craters testify to the once violent activity of the volcano. Rainier was incomparably taller and larger. It is believed that the neighboring Little Tahoma peak was also once part of a large volcano.
The last eruptions of Rainier occurred in 1820-1854, signs of activity were recorded later. Rainier is therefore classified as a volcano not extinct but dormant. Residents of Washington state, meanwhile, not only settle near a dangerous neighbor, but also organized Mount Rainier National Park in its district. A picturesque volcano, berry-rich meadows on its slopes, rare trees and animals make this area quite suitable to be considered a park.
All objects in the world, large and small, can cast shadows from themselves. Mountains can also. But there is one unusual mountain - it casts its shadow not on the ground, but on the sky. Scientists have recognized this phenomenon as one of the rarest.
Rainier or Mount Rainier is a stratovolcano in Washington state, whose height is 4392 m.It is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains (a large mountain range in western North America, originating in the southern part of the Canadian province of British Columbia and extending further through the American states of Washington and Oregon to northern California).
The mountain is named after the British Admiral P. Renier (British sailor, officer of the Royal Navy, later Admiral).
Mount Rainier or Mount Rainier
The dormant stratovolcano Mount Rainier is located 88 km southeast of Seattle in Pierce County, whose small eruptions were recorded in 1820-1854. There is also evidence of its volcanic activity: in 1858, 1870, 1879, 1882 and 1894. At the moment, according to the USGS, in the event of a strong eruption, about 150 thousand people of nearby settlements may be in danger.
Mount Rainier Volcano is considered the most famous mountain in the United States. On sunny days, the summit is clearly visible on the horizon so that it can be seen even from Portland, Oregon, Victoria and British Columbia, which are located far enough from the mountain. And in the early morning at sunrise, or in the evening at sunset, when there are many clouds, the sun illuminates the mountain from below, thus forming a long shadow in the sky.
Such an amazing and rare phenomenon occurs only during the fall and winter, when the sun rises in the place where Mount Rainier "captures" the first rays of sunlight.
Mount Reinier in Washington State is a major attraction for both visitors to the state and locals alike. It is the highest peak of the Cascade Mountains, a ski resort and a place for trekking in the mountains and picnic in the summer. Mount Rainier can be seen from afar and definitely dominates the landscape of the southeastern part of the state. And how handsome he is! We did not even doubt this. Continuing our journey by car across the United States, we left California and arrived at Mount Rainier National Park at the foot of the most dangerous volcano in the United States in the evening, in complete darkness. And in the morning, in the same darkness, we woke up and went on a date with the sun rising over a snow-covered volcano mountain.
Mount Rainier is the most dangerous volcano in the USA
Mount Rainier- the highest peak of the Cascade Mountains, its height is 4392 meters. She is the hallmark of the state of Washington and its most recognizable symbol. But besides all this, Mount Rainier is also a stratovolcano! Just 87 km from Seattle, the most dangerous volcano in America and the 17th most dangerous in the world slumbers. Of course, the Yellowstone supervolcano should be called more dangerous, which if it decides to explode, it will become bad for everyone, not just North America. But also not quite a volcano in the usual sense. And here is Mount Rainier - here it is, under a snow-white glacier in the mountains. You can see it from everywhere. And it is not known whether His Majesty will deign to disturb people.
The park around Mount Rainier attracts visitors with the opportunity to see:
- The most dangerous volcano in the United States is Mount Rainier;
- 25 mountain glaciers;
- Waterfalls with melted glacial water in the mountains;
- River valleys;
- Blooming alpine meadows;
- Ancient forests.
The cascade mountains are mostly active or extinct volcanoes. We wrote about some of them on our website, for example, that are located in the state of Oregon. And Rainier is no exception. And although previously the Mount Rainier raged and poured lava around (at the beginning of the 18th century), now it remains only a source of fresh water. it is also called "Tacoma", the source of water. And all because a huge glacier has accumulated at the top of the mountain, which supplies water to the inhabitants of Washington state.
Mount Rainier is both beautiful and dangerous. But while he sleeps, and people safely walk along the neighboring mountains and valleys, admiring the desperately terrible beauty. While it is the source of life and fresh water, it can also become the cause of destruction. They say that nature does not have bad weather. Nature just is.
Meeting dawn on Mount Rainier
At dawn, we, frankly, did not have time quite a bit, but Mount Rainier still conquered us with its stately appearance. Autumn was already in full swing, and we thoughtlessly spent the night in a camping at the foot of the volcano, on the banks of the river. And by the morning they were terribly cold. Therefore, at 4 o'clock we got up, put down our tent and drove in the dark along the mountain road up to Mount Rainier to meet the dawn. But by half past six in the morning, in a warm car, we realized that we wanted to sleep. So we decided to be more prudent, stopped our beloved Cruz in the parking lot, and dozed for ten minutes. But we slept for about half an hour, waking up from the beginning of its sunrise. This time was probably not enough for us. But there is no point in regretting, because we did not plan to be here at dawn, but set off so early just so as not to freeze.
But still, it is expensive to meet the dawn in such a magical place as Mount Rainier, and we still managed to see the last flashes of the creeping sun.
Surprisingly, we did not notice a large number of photo-hunters at the most trump place at such an early hour.
The sun has already risen quite high
Scary dormant volcano
The sun with its presence lit up every blade of grass, every berry
The sun goes through the hills
To get to Sunrise Center, you need to drive through a tunnel cut in the rock
Mount Rainier National Park | Mount rainier national park
In the evergreen state of Washington in the northwestern United States, there is Mount Rainier National Park, which covers the entire Mount Rainier and the area around it with an area of 956 thousand square kilometers. The difference in elevation in the park is from 490 meters to 4300 meters. Most of the attractions available to an ordinary tourist are located at an altitude of up to 2000 meters. For example, visitor center Sunrise (Sunrise visitor center) is located at the highest point that can be reached by car - it is 950 meters. And this is not so difficult for a person who does not live in the mountains all the time, because acclimatization is not required. That is why Rainier Park receives so many tourists.
basic information
| Name | Mount rainier national park |
| Where is | In the northwestern United States in Washington state - southeastern Pierce County and northwestern Lewis County |
| The address | 55210 238th Avenue East Ashford, WA 98304, USA |
| Nearest town | Tacoma |
| GPS coordinates | 46 ° 51 ′ 10 ″ N, 121 ° 45 ′ 37 ″ W 46.852778 °, -121.760278 ° |
| What is | The dormant stratovolcano Rainier is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, alpine meadows, relict forests and ancient glaciers |
| Date of foundation of the park | March 2, 1899 |
| Park area | 953.5 sq. km |
| Working hours | Daily around the clock, except for Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving. Some services close at night and are sometimes unavailable during winter |
| Attendance | About 1 million 200 thousand people a year |
| Visit cost | Weekly ticket - $ 25 per car Weekly ticket - $ 20 per motorcycle Weekly ticket - $ 10 per pedestrian or cyclist Annual subscription - $ 50 Annual pass to all US national parks - $ 80 |
| Visitor Centers | Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, Sunrise Visitor Center, Carbon River Ranger Station, Longmire Museum |
| Official site of the park | https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm |
How to get there, opening hours, ticket prices
- To see Mount Rainier, you must visit the Mount Reinier national park. There are three entrances to it - Nisqually entrance to the southwest, Stevens canyon entrance to the southeast, and White river entrance to the north. And all three will be quite difficult to access, as you will either have to drive around the mountain or drive through Seattle's famous traffic jams. Either way, budget three hours to get to the Sunrise visitor center, where many of the trails start. And, as the name suggests, this is where the best vantage point for photographing Mount Rainier at sunrise.
- Mount Rainier National Park is open throughout the year. But not all roads and visitor centers are accessible all year round. In winter, the park can only be accessed through the Nisqually entrance, and the Carbon River entrance is open to pedestrians and cyclists, not cars. The Sunrise Visitor Center is usually open from July 1st to mid-September. The Longmire & White river Wilderness information center, where you need to get a permit for trekking in the mountains in the wild part of the park, is also open only in the summer months.
- Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park costs $ 25 for a car with all passengers, $ 20 for a tourist on a motorcycle, $ 10 for a bike or on foot. Such a ticket is valid for 7 days. Mount Rainier Annual Pass - $ 50. And the annual subscription to all the national parks of America America the beautiful is $ 80. How useful and beneficial such an annual subscription is, read here - in our post about.
- Place in campgrounds (Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh and White River) in the park - $ 20 per night for one tent, for a group - $ 60.
- When is it worth coming to see the alpine meadows blooming on the slopes of Mount Rainier? Every year, the beginning of flowering cannot be accurately predicted and it depends on the weather conditions. But if you focus on approximate signs, then flowers begin to appear by mid-July and are pleasing to the eye until early August. If there were frosts, then the date may move even to the end of August. In any case, it is better to monitor the state of the meadows on the official website of Mount Rainier Park, where the most accurate and up-to-date information about the park is presented.
Park map
Mount Rainier National Park Map (clickable) - click for details
Mount Rainier on the USA map
Trekking around Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is, of course, a trekking paradise. Here are collected different hiking routes in the mountains - from simple to difficult. Here you can not only walk, but also climb rocks and glaciers. We will not write about this, since we do not have the appropriate experience. But we went to the track.
Each visitor center has its own hiking routes. Some of them are very long and go from one center to another, such as the famous Wonderland trail - trail to Wonderland - trekking around Mount Rainier for 150 km.
We ourselves went to the trail ( Mt. Fremont lookout), which starts at the Sunrise Visitor Center. From it you can go to other routes to the mountains, we will tell you about them in more detail.
What to take with you on a hiking trip in the mountains?
You need to prepare for a hike in the mountains in advance and take it seriously, even if it belongs to the easy category. You must definitely have the following necessary things with you:
- first aid kit with first aid equipment;
- a map of the route to the mountains;
- compass;
- supply of food and water;
- change of clothes in case of rain or weather changes during the day;
- flashlight with spare batteries;
- sun cream and sunglasses;
- folding pocket knife
- matches in case of emergency (no fire can be made on the territory of the national park);
Remember that Rainier is a dangerous volcano that can wake up, and that the territories on its slopes are wild.
However, our route to Mount Fremont was relatively easy and not scary. Since Sunrise is located at an altitude of 950 meters, adding 275 meters of climb to our trail, we get 1225 meters. Not that much.
Hiking trails from the Sunrise Visitor Center
Mount Rainier National Park Washington State Map and List:
- Nature Sunrise trail- circular route 2.5 km, climb 90 meters - sightseeing tour overlooking Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.
- Silver forest trail- 3.2 km, climb 45 meters - first you need to walk along the Sunrise Rim trail, then the trail through the burnt forest will lead to the observation point at Emmons.
- Sourdour Ridge trail... To the west to the Frozen lake - 4.8 km with a climb of 150 meters. By the lake, you have to be careful about the vegetation on the shore. You can return by using the Wonderland trail. To the east to Dege peak - 7.7 km, climb 240 meters.
- Emmons moraine trail- 4.8 km, climb 215 meters. You have to walk 1.6 km along the Glacier Basin trail, and then walk along the glacier.
- Sunrise rim trail- 8.8 km, climb 300 meters - the trail goes to Shadow lake, and then continues to the observation point to the glacier and to the First Mount Burroughs.
- Burroughs mountain trail- 7.7 km, climb 275 meters to the First Mountain and 9.6 km, climb 365 meters to the Second Mountain. Walk to Frozen lake first, then climb Burroughs Mountain, and return to Sunrise Rim.
- Mount Fremont lookout trail- 9 km, climb 275 meters. Go to Frozen lake, then to the old fire station.
- Upper Palisades lake trail- 11 km, climb 550 meters. Mount Rainier is not visible on this trail.
- Glacier Basin trail- 10.5 km, climb 520 meters.
- Berkeley park- 11 km, climb 365 meters.
As I said, many different trails start from each visitor center. Information about them can be seen on the official website. Choose the most suitable for yourself. It is imperative to check the condition of the routes (information is on the official website of the national park) before deciding to go to Mount Rainier.
Sunrise Visitor Center Trail Map
Trekking uphill Mountain Fremont lookout trail
As we circled the mountain from west to east, we saw many trails starting at other stations, as well as right on the road, including the famous Wonderland trail and Summerland trail. In my opinion, the names were chosen very well! If Rainier Park didn't have a name, then it should have been called a wonderland!
We have chosen a hiking route to the mountains from among the difficult, but simpler - climbing Mount Fremont (Mt. Fremont lookout), which begins just at the Dawn Center. This is a 9 km long hike with an ascent of 300 meters, and back downhill. Usually the trail takes three hours, we finished at about this time. But we were in no hurry, took pictures of everything around, breathed fresh air and enjoyed the beauty.
Everything was really great. One regret: we did not get into the blooming period of the local alpine meadows, when the Mount Rainier National Park is besieged by crowds of tourists. We were informed that the flowers were about to open, but at the time of our trip (the first half of September) this had not yet happened.
Unlike walking along the mountain pass in the Olympic National Park, we did not meet many wild animals. Only the chipmunks ran past, not at all afraid of anyone.
Mountain landscapes in the park on the way to Mount Fremont - our photos
Building in Sunrise Visitor Center. Very romantic and beautiful!
And here is the path, along it we will go up!
Even at the end of summer, covered with snow, Mount Rainier is immediately visible!
Beautiful mountain landscape
We walk and we are surrounded by greenery
We walk along a narrow path, on which stones sometimes fall. but even such an uninvited guest can make a good photo
Beautiful lake in the valley
Cascade mountains delight with their blue color
A stream made its way through the valley
And so we reached the Frozen lake. In the fall, it turned out to be thawed
There are several trails near the lake, and here you can change direction, but we go to the observation deck of Mount Fremont
Target is visible from afar as usual
Another stream
But then the landscape changes, the greenery disappears, and now we are walking along loose stones along a thin path nestling against a high mountain
Looks like a medieval castle, right?
On the vantage point of Mount Fremont
Trekking in the mountains always gives a lot of positive emotions. And the joy is not only that we have reached the goal - the observation point of Mount Fremont. As always, the trip itself was more exciting than the finale. Although it is so nice to sit and relax, admire the beautiful volcano and recuperate on the way back. In the photo, the glaciers look strange: as if you can touch with your hand. But we are not on the Rainier itself, we are only next to Mount Fremont, from where a beautiful view opens. Our hiking trail through the mountains took us through the wild beauty of Washington State. And now we're just enjoying ourselves.
Ranger observation tower at the top of Mount Fremont
And down there everything is still beautiful and green!
And here is the most dangerous volcano in America
And the Indians called Rainier Tacoma, which means "source of water."
The most important thing is to be one with nature!
And it's time for us to go back. Walk another 4.5 km to the parking lot. But isn't such beauty worth the effort?
So we returned to the Sunrise Valley. She looks like a picture for a book of fairy tales
Our video at Mount Rainier Park
And we, continuing our journey across the United States by car, having walked around the dangerous volcano, went to spend the night in the city of Mount Vernon (after a couple of nights in a tent, you can live in a motel), and in the morning - to the next point of our route. We continue to explore the Cascade Mountains, and now we will go to get acquainted with their northern part, and visit the amazingly beautiful Lake Diablo.
... - United States Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 1993 .-- ISBN Resource Bulletin PNW-RB-197.Recommendation:
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Mount Rainier Volcano is the most famous mountain in the United States. An amazing natural phenomenon that can be observed in these parts only in autumn and winter, it is at this time that the shadow from the mountain, breaking all our ideas, rushes into the sky. On sunny days, Mount Rainier can be clearly seen from a great distance, even from Oregon, Portland, Victoria and British Columbia. But during cloudy weather, during sunrises, or at sunset, the sun illuminates the mountain in such a way that a long shadow cast by the mountain can be observed in the sky. Such a rare and amazing natural phenomenon occurs thanks to the rays of sunlight, which magically " captures "Maun Rainier in its arms.
The area of the park is 953.5 km². On the territory of the park there is a stratovolcano called Rainier, the height of which is 4392 m. The volcano rises sharply above the surrounding territories; the height of the park varies from 490 to more than 1430 m above sea level. Rainier is the highest point in the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine flowering meadows, relict forests and more than 25 glaciers. The volcano is often covered with clouds that pour out huge amounts of precipitation, often causing devastating flooding. The park has beautiful alpine meadows and about 370 km² of relict forests
About two million people visit Mount Rainier every year. It is said that one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world is Rainier, a huge mountain, almost five-kilometer long, covered with glaciers on all sides, towers over three million inhabitants. Seattle and its surroundings. In terms of relative altitude, the volcano is even higher than Chogori, the second peak in the world. 40 glaciers of the volcano cover 91 sq. Km. Seismologists are already warning of an imminent repetition of the eruption. The glaciers of the volcano are literally riddled with cracks, visible and invisible.
The last time the volcano was active for more than 150 years, but seismologists are already warning of an imminent repetition of the eruption. The glaciers of the volcano are literally riddled with cracks, visible and invisible, perhaps this is the result of the work of the warm air that the volcano emits. And at the very top, under the thickness of the glaciers, there is even a small lake.
Mount Rainier National Park is a US national park located in southeastern Pierce County and northwestern Lewis County in Washington state. The park was founded on March 2, 1899, the fifth in the United States. The area of the park is 953.5 sq. Km.
Mount Rainier or Mount Rainier, named after the British Admiral P. Renier, with a height of 4392 meters, is a stratovolcano. It is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains, a large mountain range that originates in southern British Columbia and stretches across the US states of Washington and Oregon to northern California.
By the way, this is a dormant volcano, small eruptions of which were recorded in 1820-1854, there is also evidence of its volcanic activity in 1858, 1870, 1879 and 1894. According to the USGS, in the event of its eruption, about 150 thousand people could be in danger.
Mount Rainier Volcano is considered the most famous mountain in the United States. On sunny days, the summit is clearly visible on the horizon so that it can be seen even from Portland, Oregon, Victoria and British Columbia, which are located far enough from the mountain.
The main part of Mount Rainier is covered with pristine relict forests and picturesque alpine meadows. In the center of the park is the active Mount Rainier. Belonging to the type of stratovolcano (conical mountain formations composed of numerous layers of solidified lava), it rises above the park to a height of more than four thousand meters. Rainier is part of the Cascade Mountains system and is their highest point.
We all know that any object on our planet, be it large or small, casts a shadow. All that is needed for this is a source of light directed at this object. Can a shadow go into the sky? Maybe! And this amazing natural phenomenon can be observed in the state of Washington, 88 kilometers southeast of Seattle. It is there that Mount Reyeir casts its shadow not as is customary on the ground, but high into the sky ...
National parks in the United States are organized in such a way that you can find knowledge for yourself both for three hours and for a week, it all depends on the amount of free time.
The mountain is named after the British Admiral P. Renier.
If we consider Mount Rainier by zones, then up to an altitude of 2500 meters there are dense coniferous forests, then alpine meadows and above 2800 meters of eternal snow and glaciers, no less than forty in number and an area of 87 square kilometers. The largest Emmons glacier has an area of 14 square kilometers.
By the way, this is a dormant volcano, small eruptions of which were recorded in 1820-1854, there is also evidence of its volcanic activity in 1858, 1870, 1879 and 1894. According to the USGS, in the event of its eruption, about 150 thousand people could be in danger. Mount Rainier National Park was closed following severe flooding caused by heavy rains that hit the area on November 6, 2006. For 36 hours, 460 mm of precipitation fell. A very densely populated area near this mountain: Seattle and many other localities, Microsoft, Boeing and other large companies.
The Mount Rainer glaciers are the source of many rivers: Columbia, White River, Puyallupa and many others. This is how the riverbed has become shallow in recent years. This is a big problem.
On the territory of the park there is a stratovolcano called Rainier with a height of 4392 m. The mountain is the highest point in the Cascade Mountains, around it there are valleys, waterfalls, sub-alpine flowering meadows, old forests and more than 26 glaciers. The volcano is often covered with clouds that pour out huge amounts of rainfall, often causing devastating flooding.
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