Alta Vista Loop — Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise

It was a sunny day at Mt. Rainier! We drove to Ashford at a shuttle stop for the Longmire to Paradise shuttle bus FREE throughout the summer. The parking spaces for Paradise were crowded full once we got dropped off by the shuttle, so I recommend you ride the shuttle to save gas, waiting for a parking spot, and the last shuttle bus goes at 7:10 p.m., so you have plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors. The shuttle bus also drops you off at trails like Comet Falls(long hike) and Christine Falls(nice hike), and plus the shuttle bus is going to run next week, so take your children to the wonderful Paradise! The shuttle ONLY runs in the summer, and next week is the last week it will run, so take advantage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When we were driving to Ashford, we passed by a beautiful park called Sculpture Park. The artist made sculptures out of pieces of driftwood or metal that would have otherwise been thrown away. Take pictures there and get a flyer which you can email the artist and buy something at the gift shop! At the door of the gift shop, there was a big book where you could comment on the artist's work. Fascinating! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paradise was beautiful and that is why it was crowded, as well. There was a linking of trails and we could see hikers going up and down these trails. There are a few benches for you to enjoy the spectacular view of the meadows. Inside the visitor center, there were many benches and tables for you to rest, and also so buttons and stickers like "Don't be a meadow stomper" and "Keep Wildlife Wild, Don't Feed Them". The park is beautiful so I wouldn't mind cashing in a dollar or two. There is also a theater which shows a video of Mt. Rainier and Paradise hiking trails, which runs at certain times. If you want to stay at Paradise longer, there is the Paradise Inn. For lunch, if you want to save money, bring your own lunch. However, food at Paradise can be good to fit any appetite, from a snack to a meal. There are sandwiches, chips, bars, and ice cream sundaes! Your children can hike from trails ranging from easy to hard. If you want an easy one, take the Nisqually Vista Trail or the Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls (which is beautiful). If your kids are more experienced hikers or want a challenge, go to the Alta Vista Loop trail. There were lots of wildflowers blooming out and about, but DO NOT STEP OFF THE TRAILS! If you step off the trail, with every step you take an average of 20 plants are impacted! The trail we took was very steep and can wear your little ones out! So take the trail slowly and rest on the shade or a log bench (there are many of these). However, along the trail it slopes a bit downward (which will be a relief to your little ones). There will be various snow patches to cross. So bring hiking boots or sturdy footwear. The ice patches are VERY cold, which can soothe your little one's heat. Our children made a ball of snow and began tossing it from hand to hand because her hands were very hot. Soon the snow began melting, but as they crossed from snow patch to snow patch, they stuck more fresh snow on top of the ball. There is a gorgeous view of the mountain and also a very big snow patch with rocks so you can sit on the rocks to rest, when the children are playing with the snow. The ice is very slippery, and plus there is water on the trail as well from the melted snow, so soon the snow will turn to slush. The flowers are quite lovely in the meadows, but take only pictures! I hope you will enjoy Paradise as much as I did!