With the advent of spring, the waterfalls along Highway 410 are gorgeous and the snow is melting.  Highway 410 from Enumclaw up to Crystal Mountain Boulevard is open year-round, giving you access to trailheads for Skookum Falls and Snoquera Falls, gorgeous lakes and waterfalls at Greenwater Lakes, and a small, family-friendly hike to Goat Falls.  All these hikes are located in the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, immediately adjacent to the northeast entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park.

The roads into the Park will be open before you know it, so now’s the time to start thinking about a getaway.  Keep an eye on Mt. Rainier’s website for updates and details, but here are some tentative road opening dates:

• Cayuse Pass (connecting the north & south ends of the Park) is tentatively scheduled to open May 25, although it often opens sooner.  This gives you access to the popular Ohanapecosh area, as well as hikes along 410 such as Crystal Lakes, Owyhigh Lakes & Shriner Peak.
• Chinook Pass (Highway 410 to/from Eastern Washington) is also scheduled to open May 25, giving access to the gorgeous Tipsoo Lake/Chinook Pass area.
• The Sunrise Road to the White River Campground (half way up) is scheduled to open May 18, with access to the Emmons Moraine, Glacier Basin, Summerland and Owyhigh Lakes trails, as well as the Wonderland Trail to Sunrise.
• The Stevens Canyon Road (to Paradise) is scheduled to open May 25.  In the interim, use FS Road 52/Skate Creek Road from Packwood to Ashford, a gorgeous drive through a canyon.  This road is expected to open the end of April; click here and scroll to the bottom to check its status.

And, of course, make sure to check out our Mt. Rainier lodging options.  Spend the night, a weekend or more exploring our gorgeous corner of the world.

Mt. Rainier National Park is keeping roads open later this Fall — and it’s a perfect time to explore. The trails are less crowded, there are still lots of sunny days, and the Fall colors, especially around Chinook Pass, are beautiful. Better yet, for Mt. Rainier lodging, Alta Crystal Resort at Mt. Rainier stays open all year. (The other lodging properties at Crystal Mountain will be closed until the snow flies this winter.)

• Weather permitting, the road to the top of Sunrise will stay open through October 26, and the Sunrise road to the White River Campground will stay open until October 29).
• The Stevens Canyon Road (over to Paradise) will be open through October 29 (weather permitting).
• Cayuse and Chinook Passes will be open until the first heavy snowfall (usually sometime in mid-November).

There’s just no way to experience Mt. Rainier in one day. Make sure to plan your stay with Mt. Rainier lodging. Learn more about all there is to do on the Mt. Rainier section of our website.

Experience an alpine summer at Crystal mountain with some of Washington’s best wineries, live music, great food and other fun festivities.   

The 8th Annual Mt. Rainier Wine Festival is happening Saturday, July 8 from 2-7 p.m. on the Alpine Inn Lawn.

Hook Me Up will be playing great jazz music.  Many of Washington’s best wineries are participating, and you can even enjoy some delicious light appetizers.

Entry Fee $45 — includes 8 tasting tickets, souvenir wine glass, raffle ticket and light appetizers.

Purchase tickets today on Eventbrite. 

Even better, make it a weekend!  Take a scenic trip on the Mt. Rainier Gondola to 6872′ for panoramic views.  Explore Mt. Rainier National Park.  Hike, go on a horseback ride, relax.  There are great Mt. Rainier lodging options at Crystal Mountain.  Click here. 

Crystal Mountain opens for the summer on June 23, with daily Mt. Rainier Gondola rides, Summit House dining, hiking, interpretive walks, disc golf & more. 

Celebrate the start of summer with a 5K Fun Run!  All ages are welcome — and you can even bring your pup along!  The race is free but donations to the Crystal Mountain Fire Department are welcome.  The race starts at 11 a.m. with an awards ceremony afterwards. 

Come up for the race, but spend the weekend!  Summer is happening in Mt. Rainier National Park too and there’s so much to do.  And with all sorts of choices for Mt. Rainier lodging at Crystal Mountain, it’s easy to find the lodging that works for you.

Learn more and register for the race here. 

Time to visit Mt. Rainier National Park.  The lower elevation trails have all melted out, but the Passes are now plowed and roads are opening.  Hike to waterfalls.  Snowshoe or do some ski touring.  Or simply take a scenic drive.  It’s wonderful to visit the Park before the summer crowds.

• Cayuse Pass (Highway 123) is scheduled to open May 19, giving you access to Crystal Lakes, the Eastside Trail, Shriner Peak and the Ohanapecosh area with the Grove of the Patriarchs and Silver Falls.  Expect snow-free hiking in the Ohanapecosh area and on the Eastside Trail, but you will hit snow as you climb — and there are still some incredible snow banks on Cayuse Pass!
• The Sunrise Road to the White River Campground (half way up) is expected to open shortly afterwards, with access to the Emmons Moraine, Glacier Basin, Owyhigh Lakes & Summerland Trails.  As of May 9, the road is plowed to the ranger station, with one lane plowed probably another 2 miles.  The snow blowers are working, so our fingers are crossed!
• Chinook Pass and the Stevens Canyon Road (to Paradise) are scheduled to open May 26.  Chinook Pass is our favorite place for spring/early summer snow play and snowshoeing, and we love the drive to Paradise.

Keep an eye on the Mt. Rainier National Park website for updates.  We are always excited to have the Park open again.

Mt. Rainier National Park is keeping roads open later this Fall — and it’s a perfect time to explore.  The trails are less crowded, there are still lots of sunny days, and the Fall colors, especially around Chinook Pass, are beautiful.  Better yet, for Mt. Rainier lodging, Alta Crystal Resort at Mt. Rainier stays open all year.  (The other lodging properties at Crystal Mountain will be closed from September 19 until the snow flies this winter.)

• The road to the top of Sunrise will stay open until October 24, and the Sunrise road to the White River Campground will stay open until October 31 (weather permitting).
• The Stevens Canyon Road (over to Paradise) will be open until October 31 (weather permitting).
• Cayuse and Chinook Passes will be open until the first heavy snowfall (usually sometime in mid-November).

There’s just no way to experience Mt. Rainier in one day.  Make sure to plan your stay with Mt. Rainier lodging.  Learn more about all there is to do on the Mt. Rainier section of our website. 

Calling all elite runners.  For the third time, the organizers of the local long-standing White River 50 Race bring a Sky Marathon to Crystal Mountain on Saturday, September 17, 2016.  

The event begins and ends at the base of Crystal Mountain and consists of 24 miles of technical, mountainous single track, 2 miles of forest service roads and 9401′ of climbing.

Our Mt. Rainier lodging partners have overnight accommodations so you can rest up before and after the race.  And with cozy hotels, charming condos and spacious suites, you’re sure to find the Mt. Rainier lodging that’s right for you.

Registration ends September 14 so don’t wait.  Not a runner?  Come up for the last weekend of the Mt. Rainier Gondola’s summer season and just watch these incredible athletes.

Learn more and sign up here. 

Ask anyone who has been to this festival before, and they’ll tell you there’s not a better way to spend a summer weekend. Sample wine from 15+ Pacific Northwest wineries. Listen to live jazz from Hook Me Up. Enjoy light appetizers. Win prizes. Relax and recharge.

Even better, make it a weekend with great Mount Rainier Lodging options. Choose from cozy hotels, charming suites and condos, or a romantic cabin for 2. Our lodging partners have rates that suit almost any budget — with money left over for a scenic Mt. Rainier Gondola ride or horseback riding. Visit Mt. Rainier National Park, or play disc golf on top of the world. Browse our website to see all there is to do.

WINE FESTIVAL DETAILS:

Saturday, July 9, 2016
2:00PM- 7:00PM
ALPINE INN LAWN

Entry Fee $45 includes:
8 tasting tickets, souvenir wine glass, raffle ticket, and light appetizers.

Here’s a sample listing of 2015 wineries to help you plan:  Maryhill, Helix, Reininger, Barnard Griffin, Patterson Cellars, Parejas Cellars, Bonair, Mt. Dome, Chateau Ste. Michele, Open Road, Joel Gott, Hedges, Gard, Terra Blanca, Antolin, Powers, Thorny Rose, Hogue Cellars, Snorting Elk Cellars

Enjoy some great food with your wine weekend. The Alpine Inn Restaurant and Snorting Elk Cellar are now open daily.  The Summit House Restaurant at the top of the Gondola is open daily for lunch, with extended hours on  Saturday.   Plus the nearby town of Greenwater also has places to eat.

Mount Rainier lodging is booking fast. It’s going to be an awesome summer, with early wildflowers, so the Wine Festival’s timing couldn’t be any better. Make reservations now before we sell out.  Crystal Mountain Hotels also has some great Wine Festival packages. 

Click here to learn more.