Two Amazing Hikes In Mount Rainier | Skyline Trail and Bench and Snow Lake
Channel: RoadTales: Natalie & Gabriel
Date: 2022-04-27

Hi! Today we are going to share with you two amazing hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. The Skyline Trail and Bench and Snow lake trail. Both trails are amazing and with astonishing views. If you are in Washington State, don't miss the opportunity of experiencing one of the most beautiful sceneries in the States!

Check out Part 1 and 2 of our Washington Adventure!

PART 1- Seattle: https://youtu.be/vc8_l5JdVAo
PARK 2- Olympic National Park: https://youtu.be/pVuMFHBxkvg

CHAPTERS:

00:00 INTRO
00:28 OCEAN SHORES
02:48 Food at the Fishin Hole
03:55 Car Show at Elma, Washington
05:17 Driving to Mt Rainier
05:54 Skyline Trail, Mt Rainier National Park
09:16 Next Day, Bench and Snow Lake Trail, Mt Rainier National Park
12:16 Leaving Mt Rainier National Park - Driving to Seattle Whale Watching Tour
13:30 Puget Sound Express - Puget Sound Whale Watching Tour
14:54 Recap of our incredible Road Trip
15:12 Funny Out-Takes LoL



Before driving to Mt Rainier, we explored a bit of Ocean Shores. Ocean Shores is a small coastal city in Washington State. It’s known for its long Pacific beach and network of navigable lakes and waterways. Just north, the shore pine trees and dunes of Ocean City State Park are a haven for migratory birds. South, Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area and Damon Point are nesting sites for snowy plovers. The North Jetty has views of the city of Westport, across Grays Harbor to the south

On our way, we stop at the fishin hole for an incredible lunch, then we continued our road trip and found a great Car Show in the small town of Elma. 

Mount Rainier:
Mount Rainier also known as Tahoma, Tacoma, Tacobet, is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest, located in Mount Rainier National Park about 59 miles (95 km) south-southeast of Seattle. With a summit elevation of 14,411 ft (4,392 m), it is the highest mountain in the U.S. state of Washington and the Cascade Range, the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States, and the tallest in the Cascade Volcanic Arc.

Due to its high probability of eruption in the near future, Mount Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and it is on the Decade Volcano list. The large amount of glacial ice means that Mount Rainier could produce massive lahars which could threaten the entire Puyallup River valley. According to the United States Geological Survey, "about 80,000 people and their homes are at risk in Mount Rainier's lahar-hazard zones."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rainier

Skyline Trail:
The Skyline Trail is the main route for hiking out of Paradise, Mount Rainier’s south side hub and most popular destination, providing visitors a unique opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Washington’s grandest mountain. Even before the historic Paradise Inn was constructed in 1916, the Paradise valley has long been one of the state’s most beloved hiking destinations because of its southern exposure, giving it a longer season than its north side counterpart, Sunrise. In peak season (July and August) your trip along the Skyline Trail will be filled with views of cascading waterfalls, mighty glaciers and subalpine meadows brimming with colorful splashes of lupines, mountain heather, scarlet paintbrush, cascade asters and bistort.
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/skyline-trail-loop

Bench and Snow Lake Trail:
Escape the crowds within Mount Rainier National Park without going on a lengthy adventure. Visit one or both of two alpine lakes, the second one just a bit more than a mile from the parking lot.

The trail begins from the east side of the parking lot, and starts gaining elevation quickly on steps placed to limit erosion of the sandy soil. On a hot day, the temperature drop is welcome as you are quickly surrounded by greenery and small trees. Blueberries and huckleberries are a late summer treat all along this trail.

Even though Snow Lake is only 130 feet higher than the parking lot, the trail dips and climbs, resulting in a total one-way gain of 370 feet, much of it on anti-erosion check steps. Small children may need assistance.

At a half mile, a rock outcropping on the left provides a partial view of Mount Rainier looking back, and what appears to be a shallow tarn looking down. The tarn is actually the northwest end of Bench Lake.


Puget Sound Express Whale Watching Tours:
Seattle’s only half-day whale watching tour, departing from Edmonds, a short drive north of downtown Seattle. Saratoga and Swiftsure are the fastest and quietest whale watching boats in the Northwest, connecting you with whales throughout the Salish Sea.
https://www.pugetsoundexpress.com/