Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

It’s hard not to love Mount Rainier.  With its spectacular meadows full of wildflowers, it seems like the most tranquil place on earth.  But it’s not.  As an active volcano, Mt. Rainier is fraught with danger.  As an active volcano in close proximity to major metropolitan areas, it is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.  It hasn’t erupted since the 1800’s but even a small eruption could release catastrophic volcanic mudflows, as the mountain’s glaciers would melt and push a slurry of deadly debris towards Puget Sound.  (Can you tell we went on a walk with a Doom-and-Gloom Ranger who did his best to scare the bejeesus out of us?)

Putting on a brave face for the camera.

And the dangers just multiply if you are one of the insanely brave (or bravely insane) climbers who attempt the summit.  Crevasses, rockfalls, avalanches, and whiteouts are just some of the conditions you’ll face.  The mountain claims the lives of about two climbers per year, on average.

A team of flea-sized climbers make their way through a snowfield

Dire superlatives aside, Mount Rainier is one of our favorite parks.  There are plenty of hiking trails that reward you with wildlife encounters and gorgeous views of the mountain.

There are also some lovely waterfalls, like Narada Falls.  A cool mist permeates the air around it, making it a perfect stop on a hot day.

And one of my favorite trails in the park leads through the Grove of the Patriarchs.  It’s an easy walk through an old-growth forest of cedars, hemlocks, and Douglas firs.  Some of the trees are 1000 years old.  Not quite as old or as large as the giant Sequoias (which I love) but still very impressive and humbling. 

Awe-inspiring.