The best hike near Seattle may be one of Washington’s most demanding. Mount Rainier’s Standard Summit Route has tested even the most experienced outdoorsmen since the mountain was first summited in 1870. If you think you have the chops, then it’s worth packing your gear and joining the many other hopefuls who’ve given this trek their all. For those who persevere, the experience is unparalleled and you’ll win bragging rights for life.
You'll begin your adventure at Paradise Lodge, nestled at the mountain's base. Arrive early, not only to make the most of the sunlight but to secure an overnight spot in this busy parking lot.
Though the trailhead already sits at an elevation of 5,400 feet, this is a breeze compared to what's to come. Drink in your last mouthfuls of good alpine air; by the end of your expedition, you'll hover over 12,000 feet in the clouds.
There's a reason I say that the Paradise hikes are akin to an alpine Disneyland. Years of sharing their neighborhood with human passersby have accustomed animals along the lower path to people. In addition to these curious spectators, you'll share the first leg of the trail with other hikers, most of whom will complete Skyline Loop.
Your journeys will diverge once you reach Panorama Point at 6,800 feet. They'll stop to take in the spectacular mountain views, and you'll keep going until you reach Camp Muir.
By this point, you'll likely have worked up a good sweat, but your adventure has only just begun. Remember that a safe ascent is a steady one. In mountain environments, it pays to pause and catch your breath if doing so allows you to hike deliberately.
After reaching Camp Muir, you'll rest for the night and fuel up for the second half of your expedition. This is a great time to connect with other adventurers. It takes a particular kind of eccentricity to ascend a mountain, and your compatriots will be eager to regale you with tales of their accomplishments. If you're hiking during the summer, the next morning you'll follow the route known affectionately as Disappointment Cleaver. Don't worry. Like so many Northwest place names, the moniker is an ironic joke.
Clambering over a stand of boulders called Cathedral Rock Ridge will allow you to reach Ingraham Glacier. Traverse this stretch of snow and ice and you'll reach the final chapter of your adventure.
The National Park Service estimates that 10,000 people attempt to summit Mount Rainier every year. Only 50 percent of those individuals complete the trek. If you do make it to the top, you'll have seen a rare view, indeed.
The Standard Summit Route of Mount Rainier is easily one of the most beautiful hikes in Washington, if not the entire country. While few people have the experience or physical endurance to even attempt the challenge, for those with the know-how, it will easily be one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Other hikes may be more accessible, but the sheer difficulty of the Summit Route makes this trek an attractive adventure to those who desire to go where few others have been.
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