Highlights of the Day
During our 5 day Seattle trip, our first destination was Mount Rainier National Park. Along the way, we tasted authentic Rainier cherries for the first time—sweet and memorable. The park was busier than expected, Reflection Lake was still frozen, and hiking trails at Paradise were buried under snow. Fortunately, the snowmelt-fed waterfalls were roaring and spectacular, making the visit well worth it.
Accommodation: Mountain Meadows Inn & Chalet Suites
Transportation: Rental Car
We arrived Seattle last night, picked up rental car and drove to hotel near Mount Rainier.
This morning, we head to Mount Rainier. As we approached the mountain area, we started seeing signs everywhere for Rainier Cherries—those beautiful blush-colored cherries known for their sweetness. We stopped at a roadside stand and bought a box, and they were indeed delicious. Later, I learned that this variety was developed by Washington State University and named after Mount Rainier, so tasting them in Washington felt especially authentic.
Because the weather was still quite cold, we expected fewer visitors. To our surprise, cars were lined up at the park entrance.
After entering the park, we stopped by the visitor center, where a massive cross-section of a Douglas fir tree was displayed outside. According to the markings, the tree began growing in 1293 and was cut down in 1963—nearly 700 years of history captured in its rings.
Our next stop was the well-known Reflection Lake. In summer, the lake lives up to its name, reflecting the surrounding mountains, sky, and trees like a mirror. But since summer hadn’t arrived yet, the lake was still partially frozen, with snow and ice covering the surface. There was no reflection to see, but we still took photos as a keepsake.
From Reflection Lake, we drove to the area known as Paradise. There are usually several hiking trails here, but when we arrived, we couldn’t find any open paths. Many people were skiing instead. After checking with the visitor center staff, we learned that all trails were buried under snow, and hiking would require proper snow gear and be done at one’s own risk.
With hiking off the table, we enjoyed a few waterfalls on the way back. Thanks to melting snow, the water flow was powerful and impressive—well worth the stop.
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