A First-timer’s Guide to Snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier
Looking to escape the gray skies and get outside? The Paradise area at Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State is a great place for snowshoeing for several reasons.
1. The majestic beauty of the towering 14,411 ft. snow-covered glacial mountain and surrounding terrain is simply stunning, especially on a blue-bird day when there is not a single cloud in the sky. No wonder they call it ‘Paradise.’ You can see additional peaks in every direction right from the parking lot before you even put on your snowshoes!
2. As I write this in December 2020, we are in the midst of dealing with the Corona Virus Pandemic and my husband, daughter, and I were eager to get outside and participate in an activity where we could safely social distance from other people. Snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier was a great choice. We could see people everywhere, but the mountain is so vast that while you may pass a few people here and there on the numerous trails, there is also the option of creating your own paths. Everything was so smooth and white that as a first timer, I told my daughter I felt like I was walking on the moon. You just need to get away from the parking lot area, which fills up quickly.
3. The Paradise section of Mt. Rainier has 2 large parking lots right by the Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. While the visitor center may be closed in winter, restrooms are open. (And clean! Yay!) We arrived about 10 am on a Saturday and grabbed one of the last parking spots in the second lot, so you will want to get here early. Many families bring their children to play in the snow, build snowmen, and sled here at the base, so the key is to get farther up the mountain as fast as you can.
4. If you do not own snowshoes you can rent them at the Longmire General Store which you will pass on your way up to Paradise. (You can also rent them at other REI and other outdoor outfitters before you go.) If you have never been snowshoeing before, renting a pair to try out first before buying them might be a wise choice.
Snowshoe rentals are available at the Longmire General Store late November through March dependent on snow conditions.
MOUNT RAINIER SNOWSHOE RENTALS
Full-Day Rental
Snowshoes Adult $14.50 Children under 12 $10.50
Equipment is available on a first come basis with no advance reservations. Ski rentals are not currently available at Longmire.
Mount Rainier National Park
National Park Inn General Store
Longmire, WA
WINTER HOURS 2021
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
What I learned about snowshoeing:
1. This was my first time snowshoeing so the first thing I had to learn was how to strap my hiking boots onto the snowshoe. By pulling on the various straps on either side, it was easier to secure than I’d expected. The accompanying hand-held poles help with balance as we took our first steps forward. Unlike hiking, you will need to keep your feet a little wider apart. My daughter said I looked like a waddling duck, but I found snowshoeing is fun. The snowshoes themselves are lighter than I had expected and easy to walk in.
2. The underside of the snowshoe beneath the boot area has tiny spikes, reminding me of a toe pick on ice skates. When going uphill, the part of the snowshoe holding your boot can tilt, allowing you to dig your toes into the steep slope for better traction. This was really cool! I had no trouble going uphill at all.
3. Stepping backward is tricky. I do not think snowshoes were meant for walking backward. When I tried this, my heel lifted from the snowshoe and I stumbled and almost fell over. It is much better to step to the side or go forward and circle around than it is to go backward.
4. Water can freeze in the tubes of a hydro pack in winter. It is highly recommended that you buy an insulated drink tube cover to ensure you have plenty of water to drink. They are relatively cheap and are available online at Amazon and other outdoor retailers.
5. When snowshoeing Mt. Rainier, it is best to wear several layers of clothes and strap on a lightweight daypack. Near the base, the temperature was quite warm, and I stripped off my outer jacket and stowed it in my day pack. Farther up the mountain the wind hit us, and it grew much colder. I had to put my jacket back on. Conditions on the mountain can change very fast.
6. Know what time the sun goes down. At Mt. Rainier in early December on a clear day, the sun started dipping about 2:00 (along with the temperature) and by 4:04 the sun completely dropped beneath the horizon. It got cold and dark really fast! Make sure you have enough time to get back to the base area before this happens. Most people were all leaving the mountain at this time.
7. Snowshoeing can make you work up an appetite! After burning all that energy hiking around, it was wonderful to pull out our small camp stove onto the tailgate of our truck and cook up some burgers and hot cocoa. The smell alone made many people driving past us in the parking lot jealous. Make sure you bring your own!
I hope you have enjoyed this post and perhaps learned a thing or two about snowshoeing at Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park. For more information, you can visit the website below:
Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise
(360) 569-6571
Open year-round, but weekends only in winter (generally October-May).
CLOSED until facilities can safely reopen.
Look for rangers at information stations near the visitor center 10:00 am - 4:00 pm weekends only.
NOTE: Restrooms in the vestibule are open (weekends & holidays only), along with the Paradise Plaza Restrooms (24 hours daily) located adjacent from the visitor center on the north side of the upper parking lot. Learn more about the Paradise area on the Paradise Visitor Guide page. https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.htm
Vehicle access to Mount Rainier in the winter is only available from the Nisqually Entrance, in the southwest corner of the park on the way to Paradise. The Carbon River Entrance is open but the road within the park boundary is limited to foot and bicycle traffic. Check the road status webpage or at MountRainierNPS on Twitter prior to coming to the park as road conditions are subject to change.
Watch Our Route
Guest Blogger: Darlene Panzera
Darlene Panzera is a multi-published author of sweet, fun-loving contemporary and historical romance. She has also written a children’s book series with her daughter, Samantha, based on their horses, and enjoys camping, hiking, and all kinds of adventure and travel in the great outdoors. www.darlenepanzera.com
Other Blog Post's You May Like
High Rock Lookout Photo Gallery
5 Reasons You Should Visit Mt. Rainier in the Fall
How to Successfully Do A Sunrise Hike Up Mt. Townsend
What to Pack for a Sunrise Hike
Myrtle Falls & Edith Creek – Paradise Mt. Rainier
Narada Falls (Paradise Mt. Rainier Hikes)
Franklin Falls Easy Beautiful Winter Hike Near Seattle
Want To Fill Your Life With Adventure?
Join our newsletter for an adrenaline-fueled journey! Receive exclusive updates on travel tips, gear reviews, epic hikes, captivating stories, and inspiration to turn your dreams into reality.
Don't just dream it, live it! Get Out There!
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
