Memorial Weekend

It's a drippy start to summer. The forecast is less than thrilling for today and tomorrow (if you like to climb that is,) but we're optimistic that Sunday and Monday will be better.

As it stands now, there are two ranger patrols on the mountain. Camp Muir reported 17 inches of fresh snow; Camp Schurman 18! Bring your skis and snowboards!!!

As for Paradise...

Superintendent Dave Uberuaga said,

"I’m pleased to announce that the Paradise construction project was awarded today! This project consists of the rehabilitation of the Paradise Inn and the construction of a new visitor center in the upper parking lot.

Preliminary work on the $34 million project will begin next week. The Paradise Inn is scheduled to be completed in March of 2008. Work on the new Jackson Visitor Center will continue through the summer of 2008 with an anticipated opening in the fall. The current JVC will be demolished in 2009 after the opening of the new visitor center.

In two short years we will have a new visitor center that will last for 100 years and a rehabilitated National Historic Landmark building that will serve the visitors for at least another 90 years.

There will be no shortage of challenges for us during the project. Parking at Paradise will be reduced and alternative access to the Paradise Meadows trails will need to be identified. We are planning on providing a shuttle service for visitors and allowing them to park on the shoulders of the Valley Road."

As it stands now, climbers departing from Paradise should register at the Jackson Visitor Center.

Mount Rainier Facility and Road Openings

Mount Rainier Ranger stations and visitor center hours

The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, the White River Ranger Station and the Longmire Museum are open daily for permits and information, more here... Self registration at these locations has ended!

Mount Rainier Road Openings

The Stevens Canyon Road, Highway 410 over Chinook Pass, and the road to White River Campground opened today. See the access and roads section for more information.

Contributing Route Reports, Photos, and other Mt Rainier Information

A number of you have taken the time to send reports, stories and advice. From all accounts, that information is well appreciated. This site works best when readers, like yourself, send us your thoughts and become contributors (we also like to call you "climbing instigators.") If you've recently been on the mountain, let us know what you found...

To help manage the information, we've begun a contributors page. Like other functions on this site, it's sure to grow.

Paradise...

Major construction is planned in Paradise area this summer and next. The Paradise Inn will be closed this summer AND next for a remodel... Similiarly, a majority of the upper parking lot will closed as the NPS constructs a new visitor center (due to be completed in the fall of 2008.)

Climbers should expect changes and conjestion... More than likely, overnight parking will limited to the Paradise picnic area (i.e. arrive early) and normal access and hours to some buildings will be adjusted.

YES, "Paradise" is still open, but there will be unique challenges before you even hit the trail. We'll post the latest updates on access, parking and other restrictions, along w/maps and more information.