Mt.

I've have'nt been to Mt. Rainier in at least 10 years, (Actually, the last time I was there we traded turns at carrying baby Louis up Rampart Ridge), and sort of dreaded what it would be like in February. But it was very nice. The roads were clear up to Longmire and just a little icy up to Paradise. We hiked the Rampart Ridge 5 mile loop before checking into the Longmire Lodge. The trail was awesome, covered in snow and icy in spots. No snowshoes for us, too slow! From the National Park Service: " welcome to a mountain wonderland of dense forest, dazzling wildflowers, treendous snowfields, and rugged glaciers".

Longmire Lodge

Longmire is the parks oldest developed area, the site of Mineral Spring Resort that Jame's Longmire opened in 1884. After the park was established in 1899, Longmire became the park headquarters. The road from the Nisqually entrance to Longmire is listed as one of the world's most beautiful forest roads.

Rampart Ridge Trail

Warming by the fireplace in the Longmire Lodge

For reservations write to: Mount Rainier Guest Services, P.O. Box 108 Ashford, WA 98304 or call 360-569-2275

Next day we did the Nisqually Loop up at Paradise. The snow was much deeper and fluffier. Colder up there too, but the weather really came thru and the sky was blue. The landscape is really different covered in snow. You don't follow the trails, you follow where someone has packed down the snow ahead of you. We got bogged down a few places up on the Nisqually Loop trail and wished we had snowshoes in some spots!

"When Elcaine Longmire's wife first saw this subalpine meadow, she exclaimed," This must be what Paradise is like!" The name stuck. With views of Mt. Rainier in the background, meadows and forests in the foreground, it is a major point for access to many alpine trails. I took a picture of an avalanche from the Nisqually Loop trail.

Winter at Paradise provides a glimpse into another world.Snow covers everything and muffles the sounds. Bright sunshine turns the area into a crystal wonderland.

Oh no! It's got Jayson!