Mount Rainier Volcano as viewed from Paradise
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Mount Rainier Volcano
-- Geographic Setting, and Geologic and Eruptive History
Mount Rainier volcano (14,410 ft) dominates the landscape of a large part of western Washington. It stands nearly 3
miles higher than the lowlands to the west and 1.5 miles higher than the surrounding mountains. The base of
the volcano spreads over an area of about 100 square miles, and lava flows that radiate from the base of the
cone extend to distances of as much as 9 miles. The flanks of Mount Rainier are drained by five major rivers
and their tributaries.
-- Excerpt from: Crandell, 1971
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America's Volcanic Past - Mount Rainier
-- Volcanic Highlights and Features
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Points of Interest and Places to See
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Armchair Tour of Mount Rainier
-- Twelve Stops ... Twelve Views
Circle the mountain and see views you may never have seen before ... The tour
begins at Longmire's National Park Inn and travels counter-clockwise where it ends at Iron Mountain ... Along the
way read about Mount Rainier's eruptive history, the creation of the National Park, future volcanic activity and
current scientific monitoring ... To begin, click on the "Interactive Imagemap" and click on either the white "Click
Here to begin TOUR" box or the red circle "L" ... OR ... click on the "Text Menu Button" and scroll that way ... You
may also click on the individual "Stops" if you so desire ... Enjoy
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Mount Rainier National Park Vicinity with Select Place Names
-- [Map,29K,InlineGIF]
Mount Rainier National Park Map with Names of Places Located.
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Mount Rainier National Park
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Mount Rainier National Park,
established on March 2, 1899,
contains vast expanses of pristine old-growth forests, subalpine
flower meadows, spectacular alpine scenery, and great opportunity
for stimulating outdoor activities. Mount Rainier National Park
is the fifth oldest national park in the United States.
The park encompasses 378 square miles (980 square kilometers,
235.612.5 acres). Elevation ranges from 1,880 at the Carbon River
rain forest (NW corner of park) to 14,411 feet at the summit.
Annual visitation exceeds 2 million visitors, with the
majority of visitors coming to the park during the months of May
through October. During this peak period, the best time to visit
the park is Monday through Friday, to avoid large crowds which
arrive early on sunny summer weekends. Parking lots at the most
popular areas, such as Paradise and Sunrise, are generally full
before noon on weekends.
Mount Rainier is located in west central Washington,
approximately 1-2 hours driving time from Seattle, Tacoma and
Yakima, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The Nisqually Entrance,
located on the southwest side of the park on State Route 706, is
open year-round. Other park roads are open only during the summer
months. Opening and closing dates vary depending on snow
conditions.
All locations and facilities in Mount Rainier National Park
are open from July 1 through Labor Day. Most locations are
accessible from Memorial Day into early October. Between November
or December into May, snow limits vehicle access to the 18 miles
of road between the Nisqually Entrance and Paradise (SW entrance
via State Routes 7 and 706). The Stevens Canyon road closes when
snowfall requires it.
Visitor centers, hiking trails, lodging, mountain climbing,
camping, wildflower displays, backcountry camping, and picnic
are as are located throughout the park.
Excerpts courtesy of:
U. S. National Park Service - Mount Rainier National Park Website, 1999
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For More National Park Information
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Link to:
Mount Rainier National Park Website
Mount Rainier National Park
Tahoma Woods, Star Route
Ashford, WA 98304-9751
360-569-2211 (automated information menu)
TDD Telephone Number: 360-569-2177
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Mount Rainier National Park:
Mount Rainier National Park is located in west-central Washington, approximately 108 kilometers
south-southeast of Seattle, Washington, and 158 kilometers north-northeast of Portland, Oregon.
The south entrance is accessible year round from U. S. Highway 12 and state Highways 7 and
706, while the northeast entrance is accessible on a seasonal basis via state Highway 410.
-- Driving excerpt from: Pringle, 1990, IN: Wood and Kienle (eds.), 1990, Volcanoes of North
America: United States and Canada: Cambridge University Press
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[Map,20K,InlineGIF]
Major West Coast Volcanoes - Washington, Oregon, and California
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[Map,25K,InlineGIF]
Mount Rainier National Park
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[Map,29K,InlineGIF]
Mount Rainier Vicinity with Select Place Names
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Mount Rainier National Park
-- Link courtesy National Park Service
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Mount Rainier National Park - Geology Fieldnotes
-- Link courtesy National Park Service
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Tacoma News Tribune's Mount Rainier Special Reports
-- Centennial Celebration
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MORE Useful Links
-- CVO Menu, includes links to Volcano Info, Seismicity, Hydrology, etc.
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Travel and Tourism Links
-- CVO Menu, includes links to Nearby Cities, Attractions, Recreation, etc.
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Weather and Road Conditions
-- CVO Menu, includes links to Weather Forecasts, DOT's, Pass Reports, Snow
Conditions, etc.
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Mount Rainier Volcano Menu
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