Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier-Summer
In my latest blog post on Olympic National Park, I expressed how the Pacific Northwest has long been a top destination on my travel Wishlist. For our trip, we opted to fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as it's conveniently located near Olympic National Park and Mt. Rainier, and since we hadn't visited Seattle before, we were eager to explore the city.
If you haven't been to Seattle yet, be sure to include it on your Pacific Northwest itinerary! Don't miss out on a visit to Pike Place Market to savor delicious foods, witness the famous fish throwing, and take a stroll by the iconic "gum Wall."
“Gum Wall”Pike Place Market
Our next stop after Seattle was Olympic National Park. Make sure to read my blog on Olympic for information about visiting that park. After a couple of days at Olympic we drove to Mt. Rainier which is about a 2.5 hour drive.
The drive into Mt. Rainier is absolutely amazing! You are greeted by the most beautiful scenery and as you are driving in. We started our journey at Paradise visitors center which is a really nice visitors center with bathrooms, shopping, exhibitions and a cafeteria. People come from all over to see the beautiful wildflowers that Paradise area is known for. There was a big snow storm a couple of weeks before we arrived so unfortunately we did not get to see the wildflowers but we did get to see blanketed snow which I also love.
We went on a few brief hikes as many trails in the area were snow-covered. Our first hike was the Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls, a simple one-mile path. Despite the snow, we enjoyed the beauty of Myrtle Falls at a leisurely pace. Another short snowy hike we tried was the Nisqually Vista Trail, offering views of the Nisqually Glacier on this usually easy 1.2-mile loop trail.
Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls Hike
For the final day, we embarked on a hike to Silver Falls, known for its relatively easy 3-mile trail. To start this hike, it's best to park at the Ohanapecosh Campgrounds (although there are no clear signs, there are plenty of people around who can guide you to the starting point). Upon reaching the falls, you will be captivated by the stunning scenery – the mossy backdrop and the bluish/teal waterfall are truly breathtaking. I thoroughly enjoyed this hike and was enchanted by the exquisite waterfall.
Myrtle Falls
The following morning, we set off to Oregon for the remaining days of our vacation, eager to explore a new destination. After leaving Mt. Rainier, our next stop was the Columbia River Gorge, a stunning canyon marking the border between Oregon and Washington in the Pacific Northwest (this was about a 2.5 hour drive). This geologically significant area was sculpted by the Columbia River over millions of years. Once you arrive you will find a parking area and ticket booths. Our main goal was to witness Multnomah Falls, a renowned waterfall with a 620-foot drop. Timed entry tickets are required from May to September due to its popularity. To fully enjoy the experience, I advise to arrive early or purchase tickets in advance. The area offers amenities such as a gift shop, restrooms, and restaurants for visitors.
Multnomah Falls
A friend of mine residing in Washington frequently shared stunning photos of lavender fields, sparking my interest in visiting these places in Oregon. The Hood River Lavender Farm was about an hour's drive away from Columbia River Gorge. The journey was delightful as we passed various fruit farms along the way, tempting me to stop at each one. I recommend allocating extra time to explore these charming farms. Upon reaching the Hood River Lavender Farm, we were welcomed by endless rows of fragrant lavender fields. We strolled through them, capturing some beautiful photos. To my surprise, there was a delightful store offering various lavender products. An unexpected highlight was the neighboring winery, Stave and Stone Winery, boasting a scenic backdrop of Mount Hood. This beautiful winery features a charming hut where you can order wine and savor the picturesque setting.
Hood River Lavender Farm
Stave and Stone Winery
If you're a child of the 80s like myself, you'll appreciate the profound impact that the movie Goonies had on us! My husband and I have always dreamt of visiting the Goonies' house in Astoria, OR, and exploring Cannon Beach, OR. On our last day in Oregon, we ventured to Cannon Beach, a 1.5-hour drive from our base in Portland, OR. Our first stop was Astoria, a historic town near the Pacific Ocean, renowned for its rich history and as a filming location for movies like Goonies. We kicked off our visit at the Oregon Film Museum, which features various exhibits from different films, including several from the Goonies movie. Don't miss the chance to snap a picture with the Jeep with bullet holes in front of the Museum! Later, we drove by the Goonies house at 368 38th Street in Astoria, which remarkably resembles its appearance in the movie. Just remember not to cross the sign out front, as it's a private residence.
Goonie’s House
After exploring Astoria, we drove about 30 minutes to Cannon Beach. Feeling hungry, we decided to stop in downtown Cannon Beach, which turned out to be a charming surprise. The downtown area is exceptionally picturesque, filled with numerous delightful restaurants and boutique shops. Opting for The Local Grill & Scoop, we enjoyed our meal on the lovely patio and savored the delicious food. Don't miss out on trying their super yummy ice cream! With our cones in hand, we made our way to the beach (Pro-tip: It can get chilly near the water even in July). After snapping a few photos of Haystack Rock, we headed back to our car. Cannon Beach was truly stunning, and I highly recommend including it in your Oregon travel plans.
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
We had the most amazing time visiting the Pacific Northwest and especially Mt. Rainer! I am so happy we added Oregon to the tail end of our plans because I fell in love with it.
For those curious about our Mt. Rainier trip plan, check out our custom curated travel templates in PDF format. Additionally, you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
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Happy Travels!
Mandy
