At 14,410ft (4,392 meters), Mt Rainier is a crown jewel amongst mountains in the Pacific Northwest. An active volcano, Mt Rainier’s snow-capped peak shines bright in the morning sun, or shades of orange and pink during sunset. It is truly beautiful and awe-inspiring. Five major rivers are spawned from the glaciated mountain which is surrounded by wildflower meadows and old-growth forests.

With ever-increasing numbers of visitors, a timed entry is now in place for the Sunrise Corridor in summer. See the National Park Service website for details. A fee is also required for entry into Mt Rainier National Park.

A visit to Washington really isn’t complete without spending time in Mt Rainier National Park. We hiked the Mt Fremont Fire Lookout via Sourdough Ridge Trail, a 5.5 mile out and back trail with 1,110ft (338 meters) of elevation gain. The sunset here was spectacular, although the area is very popular. Despite the crowds, we were able to capture some stunning views!