Half-Day Trip to Mount Rainier from Seattle

After parking, we started hiking the Skyline Trail 🥾. This trail absolutely deserves to be called the trail of a lifetime—it's incredibly beautiful! Due to limited time, we didn’t complete the entire trail but opted for a shorter loop: starting counterclockwise on the Skyline Trail, passing by Myrtle Falls, connecting to the Golden Gate Trail, and finally descending clockwise back to the starting point. One advantage of this route is that the clockwise return offers breathtaking views of the sea of clouds ☁️. Based on observation, the cloudscape is most striking around 9:30 AM or earlier, as the clouds tend to disperse after 10 AM. Enjoying a sandwich 🥪 while surrounded by the sea of clouds in front and snow-capped mountains 🏔️ behind was an unparalleled experience. Reflection Lake can be seen right after getting out of the car. The lake’s surface mirrors the snowy peaks and mid-mountain clouds, creating a serene and picturesque scene. — Nisqually Vista Trail This trail brings you closer to Mount Rainier, offering a more intimate view of the forests 🌳 and glaciers. We didn’t have time to explore it this time, but it’s definitely on the list for next time! — Narada Falls 💦 A short walk from the parking lot, taking about 30 minutes round trip. While impressive, I personally found Myrtle Falls even more captivating. #Seattle #MountRainier #Rainier #SeattleTravel #RainierMountain#Seattlelife#Seattleguide#travelguide