Mt. Rainier National Park Day 1

This is day one of the three day outing to Mt. Rainier National Park. On the first day we drove up from Portland and stopped in Elbe to check out the Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. This place had just come to my attention and I want to see what it was about. Next we headed into Mt. Rainier National Park. We stopped at Longmire and walked the Trail of the Shadows. This was a short walk around an area of natural mineral springs. In the early days Longmire had a health spa here featuring the water. We also explore the National Park Inn and had lunch there. From there we headed up the mountain to Paradise. The weather was perfect and we hiked a couple of trails we had not been on before. The moraine trail took us out to a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier and the Nisqually glacier. After the hike it was time to check into Paradise Inn. We finished up with dinner at the Inn and afterwards took some time checking out the great room before turning in. During the night a very wet front moved in.

The Depot at Elbe for the Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. I was surprise to find that this was a for profit organization making a go of it.
One of the eateries as part of the Mt. Rainier Railroad.
Here is you chance to sleep in a caboose.
Trail sign point the way to the Trail of the Shadows.
The meadow area at Longmire.
A stone soaking tube from the days when this was Longmire’s Spa.
One of the original cabins at Longmire.
Another spring water soaking tube at Longmire.
In the meadow at Longmire that build up of minerals from the springs keep anything from growing.
The historic National Park Inn located at Longmire in Mt. Rainier National Park.
The recreation and leisure room at the National Park Inn.
Chairs Lined up on the porch of the National Park Inn.
The view from the porch at the National Park Inn
National Park Inn Dinning Room. We had lunch here before heading up to Paradise.
The Skyline trail starts at the stairs from the parking lot. It is the main connector trail.
A view of Mt. Rainier at the start of the trail with huckleberry plants turn red.
Looking back at the parking lot and the Tatoosh Range.
A plaque honoring the 10th Mountain Division of WW2 that trained on Mt. Rainier is along the Waterfall Trail.
A view of the Tatoosh Range from Paradise Meadows. Pinnacle and Castle are in the center.
Lori getting ready go over bridge over a dry creek in Paradise Meadow on Mt. Rainier.
Paradise Meadow with Mt. Rainier in the background. Near the start of the Skyline Trail.
Lori making her way up Deadhorse trail in Paradise Meadow on Mt. Rainier
A view of Mt. Rainier from the start of the Moraine Trail
A summer time view of Mt. Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier from the Moraine Trail.
Lori stops for a photo on the Moraine Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park.
From the top of the moraine we got a wide view of Mt. Rainier and the Nasqually Glacier and the lateral moraine.
The Moraine trail will follow the ledge back. Viewed as we left the moraine.
As we headed done the Skyline trail the clouds were starting to build on Rainier.
Heading into Paradise Inn after our hike to get checked in.
The large historic great room is the place to hangout in the evenings.