Mount Rainier: The King of Mountains ⛰️🌲

Over Labor Day weekend, we visited Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park near Seattle. We spent two days in Olympic before a day of hiking at Rainier. If I were to do it again, I’d shorten the Olympic portion (so much driving 😢) and save more time for Rainier—it truly earns its crown! Day 1: Olympic · Rainforest & Coast 🌧️ A day mostly spent in the car 🚗, tourist-hopping a few beaches. The weather was gray, and while the coast was beautiful, it didn’t quite beat California’s sunny shores 🌊—maybe I missed the right vibe. The only highlight was Hoh Rainforest 🌿: damp, deep, with elk moving through the trees like a fairy tale. Holiday lines stretched over an hour—go early! Day 2: Lake Crescent · Azure Waters 💙 On the way back to Seattle from Olympic, we detoured to Lake Crescent. An hour’s stroll along the shore led to Devil’s Punchbowl—water so clear and blue it looked like a gem 🫧. If it were warmer, I’d have jumped right in 🏊‍♀️! Day 3: Rainier · Snow Peaks & Early Fall 🏔️ Early September on Rainier: a dusting of snow on the peaks ❄️, yet slopes still lush and green. Crowded for the holiday, but perfect hiking weather—light layers, brilliant skies. We entered the park before 8 AM and barely found parking; by noon, lots were packed. Start early! Walking the Skyline Trail, every turn framed the mountain. Myrtle Falls was swarmed, but the view of falls against the peak was still worth it 📸. ✨ The best surprise: Finally, a rain-free Seattle visit—and a stunning sunset on the drive back 🌄. Rainier, till next time. May it be just as clear. #MountRainier #OlympicNationalPark #SeattleHiking#LaborDayTravel #PacificNorthwest #MountainMagic#HohRainforest #LakeCrescent #SkylineTrail