Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier rises more than 14,000 feet above the surrounding forests and valleys. Mount Rainier dominates the horizon. Its snow-covered summit is visible from miles away.
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano and the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. These glaciers feed rivers that shape western Washington and sustain ecosystems, agriculture and communities far beyond the park’s boundaries.
In 1899, Mount Rainier National Park was established, becoming the fifth national park in the United States during William McKinley’s presidency. At this time when much of the nation’s land was still viewed through the lens of resource use, Mount Rainier was preserved for its beauty and its role in shaping the natural world around it.
Unlike mountain ranges where peaks blend together, Rainier stands alone. It anchors the landscape, commanding attention and lingers in our memory. We were fortunate when we visited Mount Rainier National Park; the sky was blue and open, and the mountain revealed itself clearly, offering one of those rare moments when everything aligns.
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