Park 20: Mt. Rainier National Park, WA: How often can you visit Mt. Rainier and never see the mountain - apparently often!  We began the climb in sunlight through a grove of enormous Douglas fir growing on a carpeted floor of moss, lichen and ferns, but were quickly greeted by rain and heavy fog as we wound our way up to Paradise from the southwest entrance of this vast park.  As we ascended, heavy snows began to cover the trees and the clouds rolled in.  The road snaked along the Nisqually and Paradise rivers where in years past glacier and snow melt cut a wide swath down the mountain toppling trees and spreading mud and rock for miles.    

Moss covered grove of Douglas Fir

The power of glacial and snow melt

The top two thirds of the still active volcano, rising 14,410 feet, and its 22 glaciers remained hidden, but we were treated to dozens of waterfalls along the drive up the eastern side of the park.  We hiked to Box Canyon where the sheer granite walls had been carved to the depth of 115 feet by years of raging waters.  Mt. Rainier creates its own ecosystem, from sub-tropical forests and meadows to glaciers, because of its gigantic size and the moisture laden winds from the Pacific.  We must come back someday when we can see the oft photographed reflection of the volcano in the lake with colorful wildflowers in full bloom!  

Odometer:  8,810 miles. 

Narada Falls

Christine Falls

Somewhere up there is Mt. Rainier