Snow adventure at Mt Rainier

X-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Mt. Rainier National Park

Paradise at 5400 feet elevation is the ultimate winter experience in Mt. Rainier National Park. But, weather sometimes changes this wonderful area into a cold, windy and can’t see a foot in front of you place. So, here are some outstanding alternatives inside the park.

Cougar Rock Campground
Location: 2 miles past Longmire on the left side of the road.
There are six flat campground loop roads covered in deep untracked snow in amongst tall old growth trees. This is a perfect place for X-skiing! Since I don’t have skis, I explore the campground on snowshoes wishing I was able to glide quickly along my way.

Barn Flats Meadow
Location: Below Paradise
Three entrances to Barn Flats Meadow:
1. From the Nisqually Road on the right side about a mile past Narada Falls but before reaching Paradise.
(This is the best way for X-Country Skiers because it is a flat trail into the meadow)
2. Upon entering Paradise on the right side of the road a clearing has been plowed for a trail down into Barn Flats.
3. From the back far side of the Paradise Parking Lot. Another clearing has been plowed that allows people to go down into Barn Flats or access the snow covered Valley Road down into Paradise Valley.

These are two great places for winter fun in the snow! Mt. Rainier National Park offers a variety of places to snowshoe and ski. For more detailed information about what the town of Ashford and Mt. Rainier National Park offers, Whittaker Mountaineering Store sells the only Winter Snowshoe & Ski Information Guide with MAPS.


Sally Johnson
www.mtrainierphotos.com