MOUNT RAINIER GLACIERS, WATERFALLS & WILDLIFE
FULL DAY TOUR
Tour Length: 10 Hours
Tour Code: EV01A
Pick-Up: City Hotels and Cruise Terminals
Departing: 8:00a
Returns: 6:00p
Activities: Hiking, waterfall viewing, wildlife viewing, birding, ecological & geological sightseeing with naturalist interpretation
Interests: Forest ecology, glaciology, botany, natural & local history
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Skill: N/A
Carbon Footprint: Contact for quote
Season: Year Round
Tour Cost: $175 per person plus tax
Inclusions:
Hotel pick up and drop off, highly qualified and knowledgeable naturalist guide & driver, travel in luxury air - conditioned vehicles, a northwest lunch, scrumptious morning tea and afternoon tea, refreshments, all entry fees and comprehensive commentary. – snowshoes provided when needed
Description: TOUR A (PARADISE)
Leaving the city Emerald City behind us we take pleasure in the picturesque views of lush green hills, snowcapped mountains and sparking blue waters. Cupped between the jagged Olympic Mountains to the west and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range to the east we head for the tallest peak of them all, Mount Rainier, standing at 14,411 feet. This escape offers excellent opportunities for adventure, exploration, learning, and just plain having fun!
Our first stop is at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, a real treasure for wildlife enthusiasts. Our private, up close and personal tram tour of their 435-acre park free roaming area spotlights bighorn sheep, deer, Roosevelt elk, woodland caribou, mountain goats, bison and more all in natural forests, wetlands and meadows. We walk forested pathways to view grizzlies, black bears, wolves, bobcats, lynx, cougars, owls, eagles and wetland animals in beautiful natural exhibits. Five miles of nature trails await our exploration and the Cheney Discovery Center offers exciting hands-on experiences.
Just a few miles before the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park, we step back in time for lunch at the Copper Creek Inn & Restaurant. Warm smiles welcome us while the aroma of fresh breads and homemade blackberry pies lure us into an authentic northwest meal. Our menu includes piping hot chili & soups, northwest seafood chowder, deli sandwiches, great burgers and our world famous blackberry pie.
Now on to the main event, Mt. Rainier is the fifth tallest mountain in the country and Washington's largest peak! We head to the Nisqually entrance in the Southwest corner to reach the Paradise Visitor Center. Paradise is famous for its glorious views and wildflower meadows. When James Longmire’s daughter-in-law, Martha, first saw this site, she exclaimed, “This must be what Paradise is like”. On the way up to Paradise, you will get several views of waterfalls along the way and 360 degree views of the surrounding area. Depending on the conditions you will have more than ample opportunity to jump out an experience the waterfalls, wildflowers, glaciers, wildlife and mountain scenery. Walk amidst the clouds and see how weather shapes the landscape, plants, and animals of these high-country meadows. Depending on the group we will enjoy a few short hikes or possibly something a little more challenging. Remember to take a photo, but also make sure to take a deep breath of fresh alpine air, bask in the moment and soak up the dramatic scenery.
Mount Rainier was originally known as Talol, or Tahoma, from the Lushootseed word t?q?ú?b?? ("mother of waters") spoken by the Puyallup Tribe. Mount Rainier National Park was established on March 2, 1899, and encompasses 235,625 acres, ranging in elevation from 1,610' to 14,410' above sea level. The "mountain" is an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice, surrounded by old growth forest and stunning wildflower meadows. The park is also rich in cultural resources and was designated a National Historic Landmark District as an outstanding example of early park planning and NPS rustic architecture. Matter of fact, from 1923 through 1939, the park published a series of Nature Notes for park visitors. Topics included plants, wildlife, road and trail conditions, park regulations, safety cautions, and historical notes, along with inspirational poems, illustrations and anecdotes. Your guide will highlight many of this on your tour today.
If time allows we may go off road and visit Carbon, named for coal deposits found in the area, is located in the park’s northwest corner. Within Mount Rainier National Park, Carbon receives the greatest amount of precipitation and is home to a temperate rainforest. We will explore the Carbon River Rainforest on the 1/4 mile loop trail and learn about the rainforest ecosystem from your naturalist guide. Or we may make our way to Mowich Lake, the largest and deepest lake in Mount Rainier National Park.
At the end of the day, we hope that this escape was an inspirational educational experience in a unique outdoor classroom and learning laboratory. This will, ultimately, result in greater understanding and protection of natural and cultural resources both inside and outside the boundaries of national parks.
We hop back in the Jeep or “Escape Hatch,” chat laugh and recount the day’s memorable highlights, perhaps catching a few Zzzz’s before arriving back into the Emerald City in the early evening.
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This tour can be customized as a private tour, call or email for a quote.
Check out Calendar of Escape Routes for our 1 night, 2 night and 3 night escapes featuring Mt Rainier, Mt. St. Helens and other peaks in the Cascade Range.
Consider adding these exclusive NW Trek wildlife experiences on your own private escape:
Keepers Tour
Get up close and personal with bison, moose, caribou and more during a morning ride on the wild side. Hop into the back of the keeper truck and experience the thrill of having these incredible animals only an arm's-length away as the keeper makes his rounds feeding the animals! Including a continental breakfast. Menu* includes Danish pastries, donuts, cold cereal, fresh fruit, bagels with cream cheese and hot and cold beverages.
Behind the Scenes Tour
Be one of the select few to go behind-the-scenes and see animals such as the cougar, lynx, grizzly and black bear and coyote up-close! Learn interesting facts about each animal and what it takes to keep them healthy and happy. Also learn how Trek's animal keepers stay safe while caring for these animals. Light snacks provided.
Elk Bugling Tours
This is a truly WILD experience! Experience the thrill of the turbulent Elk "rut" or breeding season. Spend two action-packed hours riding the naturalist-guided tram through the Free-Roaming Area, following the elk herd and observing the unique behavior of the rut. Test your bugling skill and see if YOU can call in the herd. Breakfast will be served in the Fir Bough Cafe at the close of the tour. Menu* includes Danish pastries, donuts, fresh fruit, bagels with cream cheese and beverages
Twilight Tram Tour 2008
Learn some great night moves at Northwest Trek's Twilight Tram tours. These "adult only" evenings offer the perfect opportunity to do something different. Relax over a candlelight dinner and then enjoy fall's magical moment’s right before sunset on a twilight tram tour. Get a unique view of the animals as the sun sets over Trek's Northwest landscape.
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