We arrived in Seattle in the evening with just enough time to get settled and grab a late dinner before heading to bed. The Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown is a centrally located, affordable hotel with an easy walk to Pike Place Market in the morning. Comfortable, no-frills, and perfect for a quick overnight before heading out of the city.
For an overview on the entire Washington trip, check out Hiker’s Paradise: 12-day Washington Road Trip.
Seattle to Mount Rainier
Our first full day began in Seattle but quickly transitioned into one of the most iconic landscapes in the Pacific Northwest, Mount Rainier National Park.
We started early with a walk over to Pike Place Market. Stopping at the iconic fish market to watch them toss fish around, and grabbing a free sample of fresh-caught seafood.
We made a quick stop at the very first Starbucks, just to check it out. There were plenty of great pastry and coffee spots nearby. We stopped by Le Panier and Victrola Coffee Roasters, then had a sit-down breakfast at Bacco Cafe before heading back to the car to begin the drive to Mount Rainier.
The drive to Mount Rainier was part of the experience, with forest views, turquoise rivers, and our first glimpses of the mountain. Every time Mount Rainier came into view through the trees, we just said ‘oh, wow.’ Every time. We arrived around noon and waited about 30 minutes to get through the gate.
Our first stop inside the park was Comet Falls Trailhead. The sheer size and power of Comet Falls was an unexpected surprise. The hike was challenging, but getting up close to the waterfall and feeling the cool mist made it completely worth it.
We continued along Paradise Valley Road, making quick roadside stops at Narada and Ruby Falls, both easily visible from the road.
Next up was the Bench & Snow Lake hike, a relatively short and easy trail to two lakes with mountain views. The trail is nice, but felt skippable if short on time (or energy).
After checking into the hotel and grabbing a quick bite, we headed back out to Pinnacle Peak Trail for sunset. We didn’t end up hiking the entire trail, because some snow and rockslide made the last section unsafe to cross.
We found a natural viewpoint about three-quarters up, sat down on the rocks, and just watched the light change over Rainier until it was gone.
Just down the road from the trailhead, Reflection Lake offered that classic, mirror-like view of Mount Rainier—an easy and worthwhile final stop.
Travel tips
- Pick up your rental car at the airport and look for a paid parking garage near your hotel if staying overnight in Seattle.
- Walk from your hotel to breakfast and Pike Place Market.
- Aim to leave Seattle by 10am.
- Drive time to the Mount Rainier Paradise entrance is roughly 3 hours.
- On your way, stop at a grocery store to stock up on snacks, nuts, and water to keep in the car while exploring Mount Rainier.
- Park entrance fee required (or use an America the Beautiful pass).
- Download offline maps and trails ahead of time.
Food
- Le Panier (1902 Pike Place)
- Victrola Coffee Roasters (108 Pine St)
- Bacco Cafe (Stewart & 1st)
- Plaza Market (Eatonville) – grocery stop after leaving Seattle
Activities
- Pike Place Fish Market (86 Pike St)
- First Starbucks (1912 Pike Pl)
- Comet Falls Trail
- Narada Falls and Ruby Falls – easy roadside stops
- Bench & Snow Lake – easy but skippable hike
- Pinnacle Peak Trail – classic Rainier views, perfect for sunset
- Reflection Lakes – roadside stop for that iconic Rainier reflection
Overnight: Paradise Inn
A historic lodge located right in the Paradise area of the park. We don’t usually splurge on accommodations unless it’s truly worth it, and this one absolutely is. Skip the long entrance lines and cut down on drive time to the park’s main attractions, making the experience seamless and even more enjoyable.
Mount Rainier
We woke up at Paradise Inn and started the morning with coffee on the front porch, taking in the crisp mountain air. The Skyline Trailhead is right in front of the inn, so by 8am we were on the trail.
The first 2 miles to Panorama Point were challenging but stunning—hiking through snowmelt streams with wildflowers in full bloom, and even spotting a mountain goat right off the trail.
Once we reached Panorama Point, we took in 360° views of mountain scenery as far as the eye can see.
We continued along the Skyline Trail and eventually connected to the Golden Gate Trail for another 2 miles, passing Myrtle Falls along the way. The entire 4-mile loop took about 3 hours with stops included.
From there, we packed some road snacks and drove to the Sunrise area of the park. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive via Stevens Canyon Road, which is incredibly scenic and makes the drive really enjoyable.
We made a quick stop at the Sunrise Visitor Center before heading to the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail, which is accessible nearby. The trail is about 6 miles out-and-back and took us around 3 hours with stops. The climb to the top is scenic and challenging. The last mile follows a narrow ridge with exposure on both sides, which will definitely get your adrenaline pumping.
We made our way back to Paradise Inn and enjoyed a late dinner at the Paradise Inn Dining Room. You typically need to call for reservations, but we got lucky arriving around 8pm with no wait and were able to get a table.
Travel tips
- Waking up at Paradise Inn with coffee on the porch is a must.
- Start Skyline Trail early to avoid crowds.
- Drive Paradise → Sunrise: ~1.5 hours via Stevens Canyon Rd.
- Stevens Canyon Rd is closed in winter and adds significant travel time when closed—be aware if visiting before June or after Labor Day.
- Food options are limited in the park, so pack backup snacks just in case.
- If dining at Paradise Inn is important to you, make reservations ahead of time.
Activities
- Connect Skyline Trail to Golden Gate Loop for a scenic 4mile loop past two of the most popular view points in the park:
- Panorama Point – sweeping mountain views
- Myrtle Falls – classic Rainier foreground shot
- Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail – ended up being our favorite of the trip.