SEATTLE HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Two Days Around Rainier: Alpine Meadows, Glaciers and Old‑Growth Forests
A 2‑day, 1‑night guided hiking tour from Seattle that visits Sunrise and Paradise on Mount Rainier to experience alpine tundra, Emmons Glacier views and western old‑growth rainforest.
Two Days Around Rainier: Alpine Meadows, Glaciers and Old‑Growth Forests.
Lovers of epic vistas, rugged hikes and wildlife viewing are called to this compact loop around Washington’s iconic volcano. Over two days and one night you’ll move from windswept heather and rocky alpine tundra to wildflower‑studded slopes and then down into mossy, waterfall‑filled old‑growth forest, staying overnight at the historic Paradise Inn and returning to Seattle with a close understanding of Mount Rainier’s glaciers, meadows and forested slopes.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Sunrise: above the tree line and into tundra
Begin the tour at Sunrise Visitor’s Center and hike above the tree line through open heather and rocky alpine tundra, where whitebark pine and mountain hemlock float on seas of wildflower meadows and vistas extend to the Cascade range.
Glacier Overlook and Second Burroughs Mountain
From Glacier Overlook peer down onto Emmons Glacier—the largest river of ice in the contiguous states—and on clear days see Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains from the slopes near Second Burroughs Mountain.
Paradise to the western old‑growth rainforests
On day two the route drops from the wildflower meadows around Paradise Inn into lush western old‑growth rainforest where waterfalls tumble into glacial rivers and the forest is home to species like northern flying squirrels and spotted owls.
What the day feels like
How the two days feel on the trail
The tour unfolds as a concise circumnavigation of Rainier’s character: a dawn start at Sunrise climbs into exposed tundra with glacier panoramas, an overnight at Paradise Inn anchors the trip, and day two alternates high‑alpine slopes toward Camp Muir and then a descent into ancient, waterfall‑laced rainforest before the return to Seattle.
THE ALPINE
Sunrise: above the tree line and into tundra
Begin the tour at Sunrise Visitor’s Center and hike above the tree line through open heather and rocky alpine tundra, where whitebark pine and mountain hemlock float on seas of wildflower meadows and vistas extend to the Cascade range.
THE ICE
Glacier Overlook and Second Burroughs Mountain
From Glacier Overlook peer down onto Emmons Glacier—the largest river of ice in the contiguous states—and on clear days see Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains from the slopes near Second Burroughs Mountain.
THE FOREST
Paradise to the western old‑growth rainforests
On day two the route drops from the wildflower meadows around Paradise Inn into lush western old‑growth rainforest where waterfalls tumble into glacial rivers and the forest is home to species like northern flying squirrels and spotted owls.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a 2‑day, 1‑night guided program that operates as a short loop from Seattle into Mount Rainier National Park.
Activities include hiking, wildlife viewing and visitor center stops; expected hiking distances are about 4–6 miles per day with elevation gains up to roughly 1,300 ft (day 1) and up to 1,000 ft (day 2).
The trip includes one breakfast, two lunches and one dinner, with lodging provided at Paradise Inn for the overnight.
The itinerary starts and finishes in Seattle and travels into Mount Rainier National Park, visiting Sunrise and Paradise on the mountain.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The guided program runs two days and one night.
Where does the tour start and end?
Start and finish are in Seattle, WA, with travel into Mount Rainier National Park.
What meals and lodging are included?
Meals included are one breakfast, two lunches and one dinner; lodging is at Paradise Inn for the overnight.
How strenuous are the hikes?
Hikes are listed for all levels with expected daily distances of about 4–6 miles and elevation gains up to approximately 1,300 ft on day one and up to 1,000 ft on day two.
What destinations in the park will we visit?
The itinerary visits Sunrise (north side) and Paradise (southern slopes) and includes alpine meadows, Glacier Overlook/Second Burroughs Mountain views and western old‑growth rainforest with waterfalls.
What activities are part of the trip?
Planned activities are hiking, wildlife viewing and visits to park visitor centers.