Washington - Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

State: Washington

Area: 368 sq. mi.

Established: 1899

Mount Rainier (14,410 ft), also known as Mount Tacoma, in the south-west of Washington state, is one of a geologically recent chain of volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains that in the last few years have made news with spectacular eruptions. The volcano grew in size from the late Tertiary period onwards, the crater becoming ever larger. Over the last 2000 years it has been highly active. Its last major eruption was in the 19th c., but the clouds of vapour that still rise from the crater are a reminder that the volcano is not yet quiescent. From the fields of N?v? in the summit region over two dozen glacier tongues reach down on all sides. On Mount Rainier is the largest mass of ice on any mountain in the United States outside Alaska. This is ideal territory for mountaineers and ice climbers. Information The park is accessible throughout the year, but many roads and tracks are closed in winter. The best time for a visit is summer, when the rich mountain flora is in flower.

The park facilities, four Visitor Centers and fine campsites, tend to be overcrowded on summer weekends; it is quieter midweek. The volcanic massif is often shrouded in cloud for days on end, but on clear days is a landmark visible from many miles away.

Flora and fauna Mount Rainier has a wide variety of flora, ranging from Douglas firs, hemlocks, Sitka spruces and ancient arbor vitae to modest anemones and heath plants. Red deer and roe-deer, marmots and mountain goats are frequently to be seen, and occasionally even bears and cougars.