Storms can be a good thing.
Case in point: Recent winter storms have set the stage for snowy recreation at Mount Rainier National Park, with enough snow at Paradise for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowboarding.
One slight down note: The Paradise snow play area – the only one in the park where soft-sided devices for sledding are allowed – remains closed due to an insufficient snow depth. A minimum of five feet is needed for the run and containment berm, and also to prevent resource damage from the grooming equipment and sledding activity, park officials noted.
The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is open throughout the winter on Fridays and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. In addition, the center will be open Jan. 15 and Feb. 19.
Ranger-guided snowshoe walks at Paradise are offered through March 25 on weekends and holidays at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. They last two hours. Sign-ups on a first-come, first-served basis, starting one hour in advance of each walk at the Jackson Visitor Center information desk. Participants should dress warmly (layers), including warm hats, gloves and waterproof footwear suitable for snowshoes. Also advised: Sunglasses, sunscreen and water.
On Jan. 6, snowshoe walks for organized groups of 15 to 25 people will begin. Group reservations can be made at 360-569-6575 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
If the daily gate opening between Longmire and Paradise is delayed, snowshoe walk times may be adjusted, or the walks might be led from the Longmire Museum.
The Longmire area is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless closed by major storms. The museum provides general park information, winter activity guidance, backcountry permits, and Discover Your Northwest books and maps for sale. The historic National Park Inn is also open daily for lodging, food, gifts, and snowshoe and ski rentals. Reservations and information are available at 360-569-2275 and mtrainierguestservices.com.
The main gate at the southwest entrance to the park will remain open 24 hours a day and seven days a week unless conditions require a temporary closure, officials said. The higher-elevation gate, located on the road between Longmire and Paradise, is closed nightly for visitor and staff safety, with uphill access closing at 4 p.m.
Each morning, rangers and road crew workers evaluate road, weather, avalanche and equipment conditions to determine when it's safe to open the road above Longmire. Unexpected staffing shortages can also impact projected opening times, officials said.
They also said viewers of the park's webcams shouldn't be fooled by a clear parking lot at Paradise. It doesn’t mean road conditions between Longmire and Paradise are safe. Standard open hours of the road are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with daily road opening and closing updates posted to Twitter at twitter.com/MountRainierNPS.
Another reminder for visitors: All vehicles, including ones with four-wheel drive, are required to carry tire chains or other state-approved traction devices when traveling in the park. That's the rule until at least May 1. Road conditions can deteriorate quickly at any time due to weather, and mandatory chain use may be required, official said.
Chains are available for sale in Ashford and at the National Park Inn in Longmire.
Overnight winter camping is allowed in many areas throughout the park with a valid permit, depending on road conditions and snow depth, as follows:
• In the Paradise day-use zone, camping is permitted when snow depth exceeds five feet at the campsite. All camping must be at least 300 feet from buildings, roads, established winter trails and the designated sledding area. The maximum party size is 12 persons.
• Elsewhere in the park, camping is permitted in undeveloped areas, where snow depth is at least two feet feet. Campsites must be more than 200 feet from roads and at least 300 feet from lakes, streams and wetlands. The maximum party size is also 12 persons.
Overnight camping in vehicles isn't allowed.
For camping reservations, call 360-569-6575 between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Backcountry users are encouraged by park officials to get updates on weather conditions and avalanche conditions before gong to the park. Additionally, backcountry travelers must heed warnings and be prepared to survive winter conditions.
Vehicle access to certain areas of the park is closed for the winter, but areas that remain open for recreation include Carbon River Road, Mowich Lake Road, Paradise Valley Road, Ricksecker Point Road, State Routes 123 (Cayuse Pass), and 410 (Chinook Pass, Stevens Canyon Road, Sunrise Road, Westside Road and White River Road.
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