We visited Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State last summer for the first time as part of a whirlwind, three week drive and camp trip late last August (2012). Although we only stayed there for three nights, we were really impressed with the area and plan to return again for a longer visit. Camping facilities were excellent, well kept, and added to the ambiance of the trip. The overall scenic mountain overlooks and views were breathtaking, but it was the wildflowers that made everything special for us. They were just spectacular.
Camping
We tent camped at the Ohanapecosh camp-ground located in the south end of the park off State Route 123, four miles north of State Route 12. Our campsite was on a bank overlooking the Ohanapecosh River making it a lovely site for resting up, or for a late afternoon happy hour. Restroom facilities were good, but there are no shower facilities at any of the park’s campgrounds. 
However, you can swim in the cold waters of the river after your day’s hike, or wash up inside the flap of your tent as we did. This site is centrally located, and it made it easy to access most of the popular areas via a short drive. There is a Visitors Center in the campground where friendly rangers will help you plan your daily itinerary depending on your specific interests and needs. We were there to day hike, and there were lots of trails to choose from. Since my wife is a botanist we were there in part to enjoy the local flora, so that was our focus for this trip. Due to our limited time frame we opted for two of the most popular areas, and we weren’t disappointed. Note! There are no gas stations in the park so fill up before entering.
Paradise
Probably the most popular spot for hiking in the park is on the mountain at Paradise, and that’s where we spent our first day. It was only a 45 minute drive from the campground, but you need to get going early to make sure you can get a parking spot. There is a shuttle service available on weekends, but we didn’t have that option. Food, and lodging at the Paradise Inn if you should so choose, are also available adjacent to the main parking lot. Restroom facilities and a visitor center are located there too, where updated weather and trail information is also available. Note! Weather can be challenging even in summer months, so plan accordingly. Storm clouds can sweep in suddenly and make visibility restricted, but if you stay on the marked trails, and don’t venture too far astray, you’ll be alright.
Luckily, we had great weather while we were there. At 14,410 feet high, Mount Rainier is the tallest peak in the Cascade Range, and it makes a distinct profile visible for miles in all directions. It’s a goal for many mountain climbers who scramble up and over the Nisqually Glacier to reach the top, but it’s way past the capabilities of this old man and even of his fitter wife. We 
choose to hike the Skyline Loop Trail, which offers a number of options so you can vary the distance of your hike. It can be from about 2 to 4 miles in length depending on which cutoff you take, but it’s steep with rapid elevation changes. Yes, all the trails around Paradise are at higher altitudes, so each of you should be honest about your own capabilities and hike accordingly. The scenic views of the mountain made it all worth the effort though, and the additional trailside wildflowers were just as spectacular. Paradise was well worth the trip for us.
Naches Peak Loop Trail
After consulting a map of Ohanapecosh area trails we decided on the Naches Peak Loop for our second day of hiking. After a thirty minute drive from the campground you park at the trailhead at Tipsoo Lake, 5 miles west of Chinook Pass off State road 410. This popular 3.5 mile long trail, with only 500 feet of elevation gain, was recommended because of its beautiful alpine meadows and 
wonderful wildflower displays, and it didn’t disappoint us. It also featured great views of Mount Rainier and other skyline peaks. At 
one point you briefly join the Pacific Crest Trail before looping back to Tipsoo Lake and your car. There’s a nice picnic area there if you want to bring lunch to enjoy after your hike. This was one of the most scenic hikes we’ve ever enjoyed, and we highly 
recommend it. Note! As with all of these popular trails parking is limited so get there early if possible.
Like I mentioned earlier, my wife Pam DeVries is a botanist, and enjoying the different flora was a major goal of this trip. Photography was another goal. Mount Rainier provided the highlight of the three parks we visited for both goals. As I said, it was just spectacular, and we’re going back again. I think you’ll enjoy it too, if you get the chance. We’ve posted a small sample of the many images we captured, and we hope you enjoy viewing them as much as we did capturing them.