Mount Rainier Inn Based Tour
Olympia, WA
4.9 (8 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Iconic Views
- Waterfalls & Glaciers
- Spectacular Wildflowers
- Delicious Meals
- Unique Natural and Cultural History
- Stunning Alpine Landscapes
- Historic Lodging
Description
$380 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
The single supplement guarantees your own room. If you would like to forego the single supplement, you can request to be paired with a roommate of the same gender. If we are unsuccessful in pairing you with a roommate, the single supplement will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows mostly well maintained trails and requires carrying a light (~10lbs) day pack, but does offer the opportunity to gain significant elevation in a day. Although we’ve rated the max elevation at 1,800+ feet, our hike to Camp Muir on Mount Rainier can include as much as 4,600 feet of elevation gain if we’re able to reach the famous mountaineer’s camp.
Hiking Distances:
4-8 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1800-4600 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- Hiking in snow may be required in the early season
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Mount Rainier National Park tour a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
The most common way to reach Olympia is by flying into Seattle and renting a vehicle or shuttling to Olympia (approximately 1 hour). SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle.
The shuttle to Olympia is provided by Capital Aeroporter and costs $30-$45 per person each way. Go to www.capair.com/olympia or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
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Itinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to trailhead: 2 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 4-8 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1700-3000 feet
- Accommodations: Historic National Park Inn
This Mount Rainier hiking tour begins with pick up at your hotel in Olympia. From there we’ll shuttle to Mount Rainier for an amazing first day! Today we explore shimmering alpine lakes, abundant wildlflower blooms, and tumbling waterfalls on the shoulders of North America’s most famous volcano. Mount Rainier stands at 14,411 feet tall, and is the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States.
We will start our hike near scenic Narada Falls, before climbing gradually through gentle forests and abundant blueberry bushes. We’ll climb past the beautiful Reflection Lakes, aptly named for their stunning mirror image reflection of Mount Rainier, up to Faraway Rock with panoramic views of lakes and mountains below. After wrapping up our hike we’ll check in to our lodging at the historic National Park Inn, and then have time to stroll down the Wonderland Trail just outside the door, or to relax on the veranda with views of Mount Rainier. After a delicious dinner, we’ll enjoy the stars outside or take in a ranger talk at Longmire or Paradise.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 6+ miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,800+ feet
The second day’s hike takes us through the famous Paradise Meadows of Mount Rainier, a sub-alpine wonderland filled with vibrant flowers and delicate meadows. We’ll ascend the Skyline Trail towards Glacier Vista, where we’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Nisqually Glacier, and continue upward from there. Our goal is to reach the breathtaking Panorama Point and get as close to Camp Muir as possible, potentially even visiting the renowned mountaineering basecamp itself.
Along the way, we’ll keep an eye out for marmots, pikas, mountain goats, and more, all while soaking in the stunning views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape. If the weather permits, we might also catch glimpses of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams—three other prominent stratovolcanoes in the Cascade Range. The Paradise area is rich in human history, and we’ll have the opportunity to explore some of it as we visit the Paradise Lodge and the Visitor Center.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 3.5+ miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1286+ feet
- Shuttle to Olympia: 2.5 hours
On our final day, we’ll hike past a series of stunning waterfalls along a beautiful glacier fed creek, culminating at the magnificent Comet Falls, which boasts a dramatic 300-foot drop. Along this short but steep trail, we’ll be surrounded by delicate ferns, subalpine plants, and the refreshing spray of whitewater on polished rocks, leading us to one of Rainier’s hidden gems. If the group is feeling ambitious and time allows, we can continue upwards towards Van Trump Park, a secluded alpine meadow that offers one last awe-inspiring view of Mount Rainier. Somewhere along the trail, we’ll enjoy a final picnic lunch, keeping an eye out for any last wildlife sightings before heading back to the car. After a two-hour drive, we’ll arrive back at your hotel in Olympia, where we’ll say our goodbyes, reflecting on the unforgettable three days we’ve shared together!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- 2 nights of double occupancy lodging at historic national park lodges (Lodging Details) (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
- Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Transportation for the duration of the trip starting from and ending at your hotel in Olympia, Washington
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
We provide all your meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the last day. Your guide will prepare breakfasts and lunches with a variety of hot and cold meals that are appropriate for the day’s activities. Feel free to tell us about your food preferences, as we’re more than happy to tailor the menu to your needs/desires. For dinners, we’ll visit local restaurants you’re sure to enjoy!
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Olympia, WA.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in The Pacific Northwest
This trip is primarily at altitude in the alpine zone of Mount Rainier. Below are the average high and low temperatures in different parts of the Pacific Northwest, however on this tour the “Mountain” temperatures are the relevant ones to take into account:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
|
Month
|
Coast
|
Mountains
|
||||||
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
|||
|
June
|
66°
|
47°
|
3.8 in
|
53°
|
36°
|
3.9 in
|
||
|
July
|
70°
|
50°
|
2.8 in
|
62°
|
42°
|
2.1 in
|
||
|
August
|
72°
|
50°
|
2.8 in
|
63°
|
43°
|
2.2 in
|
||
|
September
|
69°
|
47°
|
4.4 in
|
57°
|
39°
|
4.7 in
|
||
|
October
|
42°
|
59°
|
11 in
|
47°
|
32°
|
8.5 in
|
||
Accommodations
National Park Inn
2 NIGHTS
Nestled in the trees of the historic Longmire District on Mount Rainier, and a short distance from the Paradise area, this iconic lodge offers a tranquil place to relax and unwind after our hiking excursions.
*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used
Trip Reviews
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Lisa F
I would definitely go on a trip with them again.
Daniel and Jen planned and executed each step of this tour with grace and efficiency. They knew just when to stop for a break and how much amazing plant/animal info to share. (And the lunches were delicious!) I would definitely go on a trip with either of them again.
Judy B
Truly exceptional experience
The mountain, waterfalls and trails were jaw dropping, the iconic lodge was impressive and so comfortable, my fellow trekkers were fun, interesting and engaging, but what pulled it all together...what made this a truly exceptional experience was the leadership of Jen and Dan. They were efficient and careful with all the logistics, brilliant and eager to share fun facts of the flora and fauna, kind and generous with all in our group, and expert meal creators. They helped to create moments I will never forget. Thank you Jen and Dan.
Lindsay L
Excellent experience all around.
We had a fantastic trip! We spent 3 days hiking and stayed 2 nights at the Paradise Inn in Mt. Rainier National Park. Our guides were organized, knowledgeable, and fun to spend time with. Transportation (company van) was comfortable. Our guides provided a nice variety of meals (breakfast: yogurt & fruit, scrambled eggs & French toast, breakfast quinoa; lunch: chicken salad wraps, sandwiches, charcuterie platter; dinner: lodge restaurant) and plenty of snacks for the trails. The lodge was clean and comfortable. We lucked out with perfect temperatures and clear skies. It was an excellent experience all around.
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