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Kautz Creek Trail
   Directions:
From Tacoma, drive east on State Route 7 to Elbe. Continue east
on State Route 706 to the entrance of the park. The trail head is
3 miles SW of Longmire.
Features:
A very short fully accessible trail leads from across the road from
the Kautz Creek picnic area to an overlook of the 1947 debris flow.
There is a view of the mountain from the trail off to the left.
After crossing a small bridge, you'll notice the dead trees standing
in the stream valley; all the living trees are quite young. This
is because of a glacier-outburst flood on Kautz Creek in 1947. The
old road is buried beneath morea than 20 feet of mudflow debris
from that flood! Pause on the bridge and view the cloudy, glacial
Kautz Creek.
Other Info:
Accessible parking, restrooms, and picnic tables.
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Trip
Notes:
July 24, 2003 - This is a very short boardwalk
trail, and other than the view at the end, it is not that
scenic (comparitively speaking). The interpretive signs explain
the results of the 1947 debris flow, and from a geological
perspective it is worth taking.
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Trail of the Shadows - Longmire
 Directions:
From Tacoma, drive east on State Route 7 to Elbe. Continue east
on State Route 706 to the entrance of the park. Continue 6 miles
to Longmire. The trailhead is across the road from the National
Park Inn at Longmire.
Features:
 The
Trail of the Shadows is .7 mile round trip trail. Unfortunately
only half of the trail is wheelchair accessible with assistance.
Even so, this is an easy trail for slow walkers and families with
children. The path begins and ends with easy 3% grades. It is easier
if you go counterclockwise because it is only an 8% grade. For families,
strollers can be used with a few short carries required. Interpretive
signs describe the early homesteading and development of the mineral
springs. There's some beautiful views of Mt. Rainier over Longmire
Meadows, beaver dams, an old cabin you can walk inside of, plenty
of bridges across small streams, old stone cisterns where guests
of the Longmires would soak in the medicinal waters, and a travertine
mound, bubbling and oozing minerals.
Other Info:
The Longmire Museum is accessible by paved ramp. The information
desk is accessible but passages through the interior exhibits are
narrow.
Cougar
Rock Campground is located 2.3 miles north of Longmire.There
are 200 individual & 5 group sites open late May to mid-October.From
June - Labor Day: Reservations only. There are 4 accessible sites.
No RV hookups. No showers.
| Trip
Notes:
July 24, 2003 - Presently this is the major
accessible trail in Mount Rainier National Park. It is definately
worth going on. However, only part of it is wheelchair accessible.
I started my trip heading clockwise on the loop. This is not
considered the accessible part of the trail! I crossed two
small bridges constructed
of split rail lumber which would be hard on narrow wheel chair
tires. The dirt path has some rocks, roots and steeper hills
to negotiate. I popped my circuit breaker on one and got off
and walked beside my scooter a few feet on the other. If I
hadn't been alone, I would have tried going all the way around.
I stopped at an overturned tree
root serving as a nurse log and headed back to the trail
head. This section has some pretty meadow
views with a short boardwalk to a bench. This side trail
was inaccessible for my scooter due to rocks and tree roots.
From the trail head, I headed counter-clockwise.
There is an initial 3% grade on the fine crushed rock path.
A turnout at the meadow offers a bench and wonderful view
of the mountain (see photo above). Split rail fencing adds
to the charm. Vegetation is identified through interpretive
signs all along the trail. The smell of warm pitch from the
tree was wonderful! I especially enjoyed the view of the beaver
dams (top photo). The cabin
marks the end of the accessible part of the trail. I contemplated
going further to see if I could reach my earlier turn-around
point. The trail heads down to another
bridge via two water dam barriers. The beams across the
trail to divert water were not too high - I could have taken
my scooter on them no problem. But, I had other places to
go during the day so for once, I followed the advice of the
park literature that this section was not accessible. Maybe
some day they will make the entire loop accessible.
I stopped in at the nearby Cougar Rock Campground.
Although a few RVs had squeezed into tight spots, it is definately
not something I would want to try. Most of the spots were
not level. I did not see the accessible sites.
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Nisqually Vista Trail - Paradise
Directions:
From
Tacoma, drive east on State Route 7 to Elbe. Continue east on State
Route 706 to the entrance of the park. Continue for 16 miles to
the parking area near the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.
 Features:
From Paradise, the panoramic views of the ice-capped mountain peak,
field of glaciers, dense evergreen forests and meadows are breathtaking.
Visit the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center before heading
out on the trail.
The Nisqually Vista Trail, beginning just south
of the Visitor Center, leads to an overlook above the Nisqually
Glacier. The 1.2-mile trail loops through the high meadows of Mount
Rainier. There are fantastic burst of colors in Paradise's fields
of brilliant paintbrush, anemones, and gentians. Shrouded in mist
the weather forces wildflowers to grow in tight clumps to protect
themselves from the harsh elements and help roots hold the ground.
Pick up a trail guide from the box at the top of the staircase above
the parking lot. Although not accessible to wheelchairs, this trail
is used by many families with strollers and should be great for
slow walkers. Some wheelchair users with helpers can reach
the lower meadows by way of a steep paved ramp leading from the
main trail head at the upper parking lot. Upper trails are very
steep. Use caution!
Other Info:
 If
you go up on Sunday, save time for brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. at Paradise Lodge. Food is excellent and plentiful, and
the rustic lodge dining room, looking out over mountain slopes,
offers a pleasant setting.
The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is accessible
to wheelchair users with help during the summer via steep
paved ramps. The information desk, Jackson Grill, and restrooms
are on the main level. Inside exhibits and the auditorium are on
the second and third floors and are accessible by a series of long
steep ramps; help is advised. Wheelchairs may be borrowed at the
front desk for use within the Jackson Visitor Center.
If you want to avoid lines of cars, get a jump
on things early in the morning. By noon, Rainier is packed, especially
on weekends.
| Trip
Notes:
July 24, 2003 - The accessiblity of the
Nisqually and Skyline trails is questionable. I was unable
to take either trail on my scooter due to steps. A wheelchair
user would definately require lots of help on the steep ramps
leading up to the trails. Additionally the paths have a crosswise
slope to them in some places that makes it more difficult
and I was afraid of tipping over going up to the Jackson Visitor
Center, and also up to the meadow trails adjacent to the visitor
center.
The design of this area really is BAD. The
center is old and access is not ADA compliant. I believe there
are plans to replace it. I hope the plans take into account
accessibility of the area.
Although I was by myself, I did try to go
up the path that leads to the Alta Vista and Skyline trail.
The map showed that there is a side trail that joins up with
the Nisqually trail so I thought I might be able to bypass
the 30 feet or so steep steps that start at the Nisqually
trail head. I went really slow, hoping that I would not tip
over sideways in one spot, or pop my circuit breaker. I made
it to the top of the first slope to a round seating area where
trails branch off of it. Unfortunately the trail I wanted
had two steps on it!!! I looked down at the other trail, but
felt that I would not make all the steep sections by myself
so I turned around. It was very disappointing, because all
of the wild flowers were out and I really wanted to see those
lower meadows!
I went into the Jackson Visitor center.
It was noon on Thursday, but the place was already crowded.
The cafeteria was accessible, and the restrooms were easy
to get to. There were steep ramps leading to other areas,
which I did not take.
The views from the outside seating area
at the visitor center were awesome! The mountain towers over
you making the other mountain peaks look small in comparison.
My disappointment was diminished by the
incredible views of the area as I headed down the Stevens
Road Canyon towards the Stevens Entrance Station. There were
wild flowers everywhere with places to pull off and look at
the mountain. I stopped alongside Reflection
Lake and ate my picnic lunch.
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Skyline Trail
 Directions:
From Tacoma, drive east on State Route 7 to Elbe. Continue east
on State Route 706 to the entrance of the park. Continue for 16
miles to Paradise. Bypass the visitor center and park in the large
lot in front of the Paradise Ranger Station.
Features:
Maybe the most popular hike in the Mount Rainier National Park,
the trail is well maintained, partially paved and offers spectacular
views.Active wheelchair users with helpers can reach the lower meadows
by way of a steep paved ramp leading from the main trail head at
the upper parking lot. Upper trails are very steep--use caution!
The trail goes above timberline with spectacular views of Nisqually
Glacier and the alpine terrain. For the longest and best views of
Mount Rainer start this trail clockwise. It maintains a steady 7%
grade passing natural benches where you can catch your breath. Throughout
the summer, alpine flowers paint the meadows replaced in September
by sweet-tasting blueberry bushes.
Box Canyon Trail
 Directions:
From
the Stevens Entrance Station, drive 10.5 miles west on Stevens Canyon
Road to the Box Canyon Wayside Exhibit. Park on the south side.
The trail is across the road from the parking lot east of the bridge.
Features:
Although you do not see the mountain from the trail, there are vistas
of Mount Rainier from Stevens Canyon Road as you approach the Cowlitz
River. The paved trail curves gently through the valley meadows
with wildflowers and the canyon carved by the river. The thundering
roar from the crease in the rocks ahead hints at what you might
see. At the edge of the rocks a sheer drop of 180 feet takes your
breath away. The plunging river is funneled through a narrow fissure
in the canyon with huge logs wedged between the canyon walls.
 The
accessible part of this trail is a to a short .25 mile overlook.
Start from the easternmost trailhead, traveling in a counterclockwise
direction. The paved path has guardrails and generally maintains
a 7 percent slope, which will require assistance by some wheelchair
users. Although still paved, the last half of the trail is more
narrow and rougher with some exposed rocks and roots. It is here
that the trail takes a very wide but extremely steep turn with a
30% grade and crosses a bridge. For those that can continue on the
trail, the bridge allows you to peer straight down into the pounding
river.
Other Info:
The Wayside Exhibit across the road from the trailhead has a short
path to views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.There are restrooms,
picnic tables, and water at the Wayside Exhibit
The Grove of the Patriarchs Trail - Ohanapecosh
Directions:
 Drive
to the Stevens Canyon Entrance and continue 1/4 mile on the Stevens
Canyon Road to a large parking lot beyond the Ohanapecosh River
Bridge. The trail starts behind the restrooms.
Features:
The Grove of the Patriarchs Trail is a 1 mile round trip trail to
an island in the Ohanapecosh River and a grove of ancient trees.
Interpretive signs explain the forest environment. Although
not accessible to wheelchairs, this trail is used by many
families with strollers and should be fine for slow walkers with
only 160 feet of elevation gain. The way goes upstream along the
Ohanapecosh River through beautiful old-growth forest 1/2 mile to
a junction.
 The
nature trail turns right, across a suspension bridge onto an island
in the Ohanapecosh River where the big trees are. After passing
through small trees, the path forks: go either way; it's a loop.
They've done some upgrading of the trail around the island, raising
it off the ground (and off of the roots of the trees) in most places,
so there's a very nice boardwalk to stroll along.
The size of some of the trees are just unbelievable! Isolated on
the island and thus protected from fire, the trees have grown to
gigantic proportions. The biggest one is almost 50 feet around at
the base. The trees are estimated to be nearly 1000 years old.
Other Info:
The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center is fairly accessible to wheelchairs,
but restrooms have limited access. Doorways and passages are wide.
Wheelchairs may be borrowed for short times. The parking lot is
large, but it is usually packed.
Ohanapecosh features a picturesque campground
and natural hot springs. The Ohanapecosh
Campground has 205 individual sites and is open late May to
mid-October. From June - Labor Day: Reservations only. There are
2 accessible sites. No RV hookups. No showers.
Life Systems Trail - Ohanapecosh
Directions:
The
trail starts in the Ohanapecosh Campground, behind the visitor center.
Features:
The green and quiet forests of Mount Rainier offer a shady counterpoint
to the windswept high country of the park. Take this .5 mile - 30
minute loop trail beneath towering Douglas firs and Hemlocks to
the bubbling mineral waters of the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs. Dip
your feet in a shallow hot spring alongside the trail as you gaze
down at a meadow of lush grass.
Sourdough Ridge Trail - Sunrise
Directions:
From
the White River Entrance Station, drive 13.8 miles west on the White
River Road and park at the Sunrise parking lot. The trailhead is
to the north, to the right of the restrooms.
Features:
The Sourdough Ridge Trail begins at the north side of the parking
area at Sunrise and makes a 1 mile loop through the Sunrise Meadows.
On clear days, a gentle climb to the ridge top offers breathtaking
views of Mount Rainier, with Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, and Mount
Adams in the distance. A booklet explains the fragile environment
and some of the life forms found there. Although not accessible
to wheelchairs, this trail is used by many families with
strollers and is suitable for slow walkers.
The trail starts from the picnic area at the upper
end of the parking lot (between the restrooms and the lodge), beginning
as the Sourdough Ridge Nature Trail. Follow the wide trail uphill
until you come to a trail junction at 1/3 of a mile at the ridge
crest. Turn left on the Sourdough Ridge Trail and walk toward Rainier
(if you want to complete the nature loop, turn right).
Other Info:
Pets are prohibited on all trails within Mt. Rainier National Park.
Pets permitted leashed on roads and on the Pacific Crest Trail.
There's a pet exercise trail at Sunrise. There is a large parking
lot at the Sunrise complex, but on sunny weekends it is often full
and visitors are turned away.
Birding at Mount Rainier National Park
In the southeastern part of the park, trails along
the Ohanapecosh River pass through old-growth forest of Douglas-fir
and western red cedar. Along the short Trail of the Patriarchs or
the longer Eastside Trail watch for Olive- sided Flycatcher, Gray
and Steller's Jays, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Townsend's Solitaire,
Varied Thrush, Yellow-rumped and Townsend's Warblers, Western Tanager,
and Pine Siskin. With luck you might see Blue Grouse, Hammond's
Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Hermit Warbler, Purple Finch, or Evening
Grosbeak. Look for American Dipper along the river. To the north,
the popular Sunrise Visitor Center provides access to trails leading
above timberline, where White-tailed Ptarmigan and Gray-crowned
Rosy-Finch breed. In the southwest, Harlequin Duck frequents the
Nisqually River at the Sunshine Point Campground. The Trail of Shadows
at Longmire may have Band-tailed Pigeon and Red-breasted Sapsucker,
as well as interesting migrants. As you're driving, look also for
Vaux's Swift, Clark's Nutcracker, and Mountain Bluebird; Rufous
Hummingbird is common in summer in wildflower-dotted meadows.
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