Almost Paradise Lodging at Mt. Rainier

08/02/2023

Come stay with us...start your adventure here!

🚂🚂🚂The Steam Train is back!🚂🚂🚂

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration.
Private hot tubs and a private sauna.
Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people.
Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…
360-569-2540
www.almostparadiselodging.com

05/19/2023

~~~~~43 years ago today Mt. St. Helen's Erupted~~~~~
Forever changing the mountain and surrounding landscape.

Mt. St. Helen's is approximately one hour away from Almost Paradise Lodging and is wonderful day trip.

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!
Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!

It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration.
Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Photo credit: Scott Eliot Photography

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/43yearsago

Mount St. Helens erupted forty-three years ago today forever changing the mountain and surrounding area. The landscape across the blast zone has been recovering at the speed of nature over the past four decades. Here is my favorite image of an evening well spent!

12/09/2022

The first recorded moose sighting from within Mount Rainier National Park and southwestern Washington!
Spotted on the Sunrise Road in Mt. Rainier National Park.

Wait! Is that a MOOSE??? Yes, that IS a moose spotted on Sunrise Road!!! This is the first recorded moose sighting from within Mount Rainier National Park and southwestern Washington! Yes, I know, that’s a lot of exclamation points, but we are really excited about this sighting!

Could this be same moose that was observed using the I-90 wildlife undercrossing at Resort Creek this past summer? You be the judge. Check out WSDOT's lyrics and video about the crossing https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT/videos/769562891050477/.

A few moose facts:
• As of 2015, the moose population estimate in North America was ~1,000,000.
• As of 2015, there were approximately 5,000 moose estimated to live in Washington State. The majority of these are in the Selkirk Mountains (Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, and Spokane counties) with smaller populations in the north Cascades, Okanogan, and Blue Mountains.
• Moose are identified as a Priority Species under WDFW's Priority Habitat and Species Program. Priority species require protective measures for their survival due to their population status, sensitivity to habitat alteration, and/or recreational, commercial, or tribal importance.

We ask that you report any moose or other wildlife sightings inside the park at https://arcg.is/rLOiy

NPS photo ~tc/pw

12/07/2022

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️Fresh Winter Snow❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Almost Paradise Lodging

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration.

Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Photo credit: Almost Paradise Lodging

07/05/2022

🎆Wonderful July 4th view of Mt. Rainier! 🎆

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration.

Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Lovin PNW Girl Photography for sharing your beautiful capture!

Happy 4th of July From beautiful Bonney Lake ❤️

06/18/2022

~~~~~~~Fire and Ice ~ Sunset at Tipsoo Lake ~~~~~~~

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration.

Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Erwin Buske Photography for sharing your beautiful capture!

Fire and Ice

Last night's sunset at Tipsoo Lake was one to remember!

12/30/2021

It's a winter wonderland at Almost Paradise!
❄️💖❄️🤍❄️💖❄️🤍❄️💖❄️🤍❄️💖❄️

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration.

Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

12/15/2021

❄❄Skate Creek Road/Forest Service Road 52 ❄❄
❄❄❄❄❄has closed for the season.❄️❄️❄❄❄
🌿🌞It will re-open to vehicle traffic in Spring 2022.🌞🌿

07/02/2021

..........................🌸The Great Pacific Northwest🌸..........................🌸Washington's state flower ~ Wild Rhododendron🌸..
🌸Did you notice "the" mountain in the background?🌸

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Erwin Buske Photography for sharing your wonderful photo!

The Great Pacific Northwest

06/26/2021

Current conditions of some Mt. Rainier National Park locations.
🌞❄🌞❄🌞❄🌞

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

06/26/2021

🖤💟💜"One Hot Early Summer Night"💜💟🖤

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Erwin Buske Photography for sharing your spectacular photo!"

One Hot Early Summer Night
Yesterday I was feeling the heat, so I did not venture out until just before sunset. Out my front door, I hiked a few miles in a much cooler forest to this overlook to watch the sun set on Mt. Rainier. It did not look like much at first, but the sun found its way through some clouds creating the conditions for this beautiful pink afterglow. I returned home with headlamp and some help from the light of the moon.

06/21/2021

Happy First Day of Summer!

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Mount Rainier National Park for sharing the photo and history.

Happy First Day of Summer! in 1945, President Harry Truman was visiting Washington State and described Mount Rainier in a letter to his wife Bess: “…To the east is Mt. Rainier a most beautiful mountain a hundred or so feet over 14000. It looked like a big ice cream cone upside down, or more like the ice cream out of one of the old conical dippers we had long ago…”

Sounds good! Who is looking forward to a summer of Mount Rainier and ice cream (metaphorical or literal)? What does your view of Mount Rainier look like today?

Source: National Archives: Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess W. Truman - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/154961659. Photo of a postcard of Mount Rainier included in the letter. ~kl

06/05/2021

~~~~~~~~~~Happy National Trails Day!~~~~~~~~~~
Mount Rainier National Park has over 275 miles of trails!

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Happy National Trails Day! With over 275 miles of trails, Mount Rainier National Park has options for all from easy strolls to strenuous climbs. What trail do you want to hike this summer?

Note that most trails in the park are still snow covered. Always check current trail conditions before heading out: https://go.usa.gov/x6b9Z

NPS Photo of Pinnacle Peak Trail, 8/22/20. ~kl

05/19/2021

~~~~~~~~~~~Mt. St. Helen's~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~Erupted 41 years ago~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~May 18, 1980 at 8:32 a.m.~~~~~~~

The regrowth and rejuvenation of the area around the mountain is amazing. Our earth can heal itself...sometimes it's different, yet beautiful.

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.......................We are a day-trip to see Mt. St. Helen's......................

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you KR Backwoods Photography - Kevin Russell for sharing your beautiful photos and memories!

04/22/2021

🌿🌲Happy Earth Day!🌲🌿

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Erwin Buske for another beautiful photo!

Happy Earth Day 2021!

Beauty out My Backdoor--this scene was taken from an overlook accessible through a hike right out my backdoor onto a neighborhood trail and a short scramble. Having nature accessible like this helps reduce our carbon footprint because we do not need to drive, often long distance, to the hiking trail.

For this Earth Day I published a blog post titled Earth Day, Nature First, and the Healing Power of Nature. You can find the link here. https://erwinbuske.photo.blog/2021/04/20/earth-day-nature-first-and-the-healing-power-of-nature/

In this post I talk about the spirit of the First Earth Day now 51 years ago, and my thoughts on where we are at today. I also talk about a organization I am partnering with Nature First Photography for responsible nature photography. Nature First organized on April 22nd two years ago, highlighting the close connection of their goals with the Earth Day Org and they are a partner with Earth Day. I also talk about the healing power of nature that has been so much a part of my journey as a photographer that started with Nature and the importance of everyone having access to nature. Happy Earth Day 2021!

04/06/2021

🐇🐇🐇🐇Four Snowshoe Hares to Help You🐇🐇🐇🐇
~~~Recreate Responsibly at Mt. Rainier National Park~~~

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Having trouble visualizing six feet for social distancing? Here is a helpful guide using a hoppy critter in the park– snowshoe hare. To means to keep yourself and others healthy while recreating in the outdoors. Wearing a mask is required in all park buildings, including restrooms, and when you are within six feet of anyone not in your group. How many snowshoe hares are in six feet? Four snowshoe hares. So, when you can not physically distance four snowshoe hares from anyone not in your group, be sure cover your nose and mouth. By taking these precautions you can help keep yourself, other visitors, and park staff safe. For more tips on how to Recreate Responsibly visit: www.recreateresponsibly.org.
NPS Graphic -bb

03/20/2021

❄️🛷❄️Is the sledding area at Paradise still open?❄️🛷❄️
❄❄❄❄❄❄❄Currently...yes it is!❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

03/08/2021

............................From Mt. Rainier to the Salish Sea................................................Exploring the cold waters of the Salish Sea...................
Colorful marine creatures throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Stephen Martin for sharing your wonderful video!

Video compilation of diving the cold waters of the Salish Sea. Beautiful footage of giant pacific octopus, spiny pacific lumpsuckers, puget sound king crabs,...

03/03/2021

✨Happy Birthday MRNP!✨
✨✨✨122 years✨✨✨

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Ian McRae Photography for sharing your wonderful photo!

haPpY biRtHdaY MRNP!
122 years young and still lookin' beautiful. 😍

Thanks for lookin', and please feel free to share.

02/28/2021

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄
❄❄❄❄❄Breaking Trail❄❄❄❄❄
❄❄Fresh, Deep Snow = Hard Work❄❄
❄❄❄at Longmire, Mt. Rainier❄❄❄
❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Wendy Bright for sharing your wonderful photo!

01/30/2021

🌧❄️🌲Mount Rainier National Park Back Country🌲❄️🌧
~~~~~~Runnels created by rain-on-snow event~~~~~~

Almost Paradise has no crowds.
Private, private, private!

Come stay with us...start your private adventure here!
It's time to plan your vacation, honeymoon or special occasion celebration. Private hot tubs and a private sauna.

Almost Paradise has private cabins and guest houses for two people...and a cabin for up to four people.

Just a short five miles from the main year-round open entrance of
Mt. Rainier National Park ~ the closest entrance to Paradise.

Almost Paradise Lodging
The perfect place to pause and relax…

360-569-2540

Thank you Scott Kranz for sharing your wonderful photo!