Cascade Mountain Adventures

25/07/2024

This is the North Puyallup River trail of Mount Rainier National Park.

The North Puyallup Trail is in one of the most remote corners of Mount Rainier. It starts at the end of the closed Westside Road, an 8.25-mile and 1,858 ft bike or walk from the Nisqually entrance. From there, the 5.39-mile roundtrip North Puyallup Trail follows the North Puyallup River to the backcountry campsite of the same name. It ends here at the intersection with the Wonderland.

What this trail lacks in length, it makes up for in wilderness solitude. I shared it with no one. It is short, sweet, beautiful, and leads to an amazing waterfall. It’s worth the visit. 

Another 5.39 miles down. 185.46 miles to go. Every marked mile of MORA

29/04/2024

This is the Twin Firs trail of Mount Rainier National Park.

The Twin Firs Trail is a modest seeming roadside trail in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park. The trailhead is off of a small pullout on the left-hand side on the way to Longmire. Most people pass it right by or wonder why there is a car - but mostly none - at this random stop on the way to Paradise.

This is a 0.43-mile and 176 ft. elevation loop through a deep forest canopy. The trail winds through dense ferns, glorious mosses, and tiny bridges over trickling steams. The main event on this trail is one incredible douglas fir tree that will stop you in your tracks. This ~600-plus-year-old giant is a great example of how and why our National Park preserves countless treasures. I marveled at this remarkable tree that was there before us and, hopefully, long after us, too.

Visit the Twin Firs loop to start or end your day in Mount Rainier National Park. It is worth the stop. Another 0.43 miles down. 223.33 miles to go. Every marked mile of MORA.

27/03/2024

This one is amazing. This is the Paul Peak trail of Mount Rainier National Park.

I confess that I ignored this trail for years. The Paul Peak trail starts below Mowich Lake and heads downhill to connect with the Wonderland Trail from the Paul Peak trailhead. It seemed redundant compared to the core Wonderland Trail section, which does the same from a higher elevation. I was wrong.

The Paul Peak trail travels through beautiful forested gorges, tiny waterfalls, old-growth forests, and down the prettiest, wiggliest switchbacks I’ve ever seen. It ends at the Wonderland Trail above the Mowich River, where you can head either up (north) or down (south) the Wonderland. This is also a quiet trail with no one else seen on a weekday. And views of the Mountain too! 

Add this to your list for a quiet, peaceful, and lovely day on the trail. Another 5.76 miles down. 223.76 miles to go. Every marked mile of MORA. 

21/03/2024

This morning, I discovered an extra 19.53 miles to complete the Every Marked Mile of MORA project. Oops!

This project involves painstaking research, consultation with every known hiking guide, and the use of many out-of-print resources from Mount Rainier National Park. I’m also choosing to include every marked mile of historically known trails that are no longer maintained—just for fun.

There are another 19.53 miles and 5,646 on the docket but the list is now complete. I’m ready. 234.62 miles to go.

19/03/2024

This is the Old Mine Trail of Mount Rainier National Park.

This 0.6-mile round trip trail with a 425-ft. elevation gain is located in the Carbon River area of Mount Rainier National Park. The trailhead is 1.2 miles from the Carbon River Entrance and accessible by foot or gravel bike.

The short, sweet, and steep Old Mine Trail leads to - you guessed it! - an old mine shaft. The trail itself winds through an avenue of ancient cedar trees before reaching the prettiest outdoor stair master I’ve ever seen. This way leads to the old mine.

This mine, and many others in the area, dates back over 100 years. They were created by the Washington Mining and Milling Company, looking for gold, silver, and copper in the region. Whle they are not known to make any significant finds, their explorations laid the groundwork for the original Carbon River Road more than a century ago. That alone is a treasure in my book.

Another .6 miles down. 210.18 miles to go. Every marked mile of MORA.

18/03/2024

This is the Green Lake Trail of Mount Rainier National Park.

This 4.1-mile round trip and 1,500 ft. elevation gain trail in located in the Carbon River area of Mount Rainier National Park. The trailhead is 3 miles from the road closure at the Carbon River Entrance and easily accessed by gravel bike.

The incredible Green Lake trail winds through old-growth forest, past flowing creeks and cascading waterfalls, and ends at a beautiful alpine lake. A clear day allows for views across to the back side of popular Tolmie Peak. It’s a gem of a trail and one of the least visited lakes in Mount Rainier National Park. 

Another 4.1 miles down. 210.78 miles to go. Every marked mile of MORA. 

07/02/2024

I'm just a girl, loving our amazing National Parks, and asking you to do the same.

This is my third and final installment in a series of snow camping blog posts for the Washington's National Park Fund. I'm so proud to share these and so proud to support our Parks.

Read this blog for the essential gear to snow camp in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, or Olympic National Parks.

31/01/2024

The team at reminds us all today is day! This makes it a favorite day.

I sat down today to make a long list of adventures, big and small, in our great northwest this summer. They range from single-day scrambles to off-trail backpacking trips to major sections of the PCT. It’s going to be a great summer!

What are you looking forward to this adventure season?

18/06/2023

We hit the Wonderland from White River Campground to the Skyscraper Pass Junction and onwards to Fremont Lookout today.

The trail went clear and easy - and almost entirely melted out - to Sunrise Camp. The bathroom is open and sites looked almost dried out.

The only real sizable patch of snow was below Frozen Lake at ~6,600 ft. There is still lingering snow in the valley leading to Berkeley / Skyscraper but the Fremont Lookout access was dry and delightful.

As Lynn Hill famously said, it goes. ❤️

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12/06/2023

This Mountain fills my heart and soothes my soul. Every single time.

We put in a big day yesterday with a cycle up the Westside Road followed by a climb of Aurora Peak above Klapatche Park. We were lucky enough to be the first tracks to both destinations for the season.

The day was long, the miles were big, and the climb was steep. And it was beyond perfect.

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06/02/2023

Even from a distance, in memory and in location, she is always beautiful.

Taken on a recent in town cycling adventure. That Mountain always stops me in my tracks. You too?
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30/01/2023

This place. This Mountain. This morning.

It was a cold and clear - and windy! - morning above Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park. We braved the 18° temperatures and were rewarded with brilliant powder snow. It was perfect.

It felt so good to be back. I love you Mt. Rainier.
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17/01/2023

And then, in the thick of winter, there was sun! And it was glorious. ☀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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29/11/2022

It's Giving Tuesday!

In honor of this important occasion, please join me in supporting the Washington's National Park Fund this giving season.
This is an essential cause to my heart and I am personally matching the first $500 given at the link below.

Our National Parks are always there for us - let's be there for them. I'm thankful for your consideration. ❤

09/10/2022

“Climb up on some hill at sunrise. Everybody needs perspective once in a while, and you’ll find it there.” — Robb Sagendorph

We started hiking from Sunrise this morning under a million stars. The velvet darkness surrounded us and the moon bathed us in her light.

We were here for one last summer sunrise of the season. Tahoma was crowned with pink and gold and we were awed by her grandeur.

A fond farewell for now to this amazing corner of Mt. Rainier National Park. ‘Til we meet again. ☀️

📍 View of Tahoma above Sunrise - 7:18 am⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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25/09/2022

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.’ – Gandalf the Grey

This morning was pure magic wrapped up in glitter and surrounded by light.

The Pacific Northwest is full is natural wonders. And, sometimes, if we are very lucky, we get to witness their grandeur.

📍 View of Pahto from Loowit - 6:30 am⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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22/09/2022

This account is about to get a lot more personal. Cascade Mountain Adventures is, was, and always will be me - I’m Teresa. Nice to meet you!

I previously used this account solely on behalf of my women-focused outdoor adventure company. This chapter is over and a new chapter has begun. The account remains but my role has shifted to focus on the support of Washington's National Park Fund as a proud member of their Board of Directors.

The outdoor content isn’t changing. The pictures of our shared backyard will be the same. The same hands are behind the keyboard. Only the hashtags will change.

I hope you’ll stay. I hope you’ll join me in supporting the Washington's National Park Fund and our great National Parks. And I look forward to seeing you on the trail.
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06/09/2022

Hello friends! This is Teresa here to share a big announcement from Cascade Mountain Adventures.

There is nothing constant but change and we too are changing. The Cascade Mountain Adventures project is going into hibernation for the time being. This is bittersweet but for the very best reasons.

I am stepping away from Cascade Mountain Adventures to focus this energy in direct support of our National Parks. I have joined the Board of Directors for the Washington's National Park Fund - the official philanthropic partner to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. We raise private support to preserve and protect Washington’s cherished national parks. My new role will support the vision and event leadership for experiences in these incredible places.

The Cascade Mountain Adventures project was always about creating experience to support the growth of engaged and responsible adventurers in our wild places. This opportunity will allow me to continue to serve this mission in an even more direct manner. Those that know me personally know how important these Parks are to my heart and soul. I am so proud of the opportunity to be a small part of their future.

This is bittersweet but incredibly exciting news to share. Thank you for your support, participation, and love for this project. Thank you for trusting me to support you. Thank you for believing in this mission. And thank you for being the most amazing clients.

This may not be goodbye forever. But, if it is, know that it is for the very best of reasons. See you on the trail.

09/06/2022

The Cascade Mountain Adventures team is taking a step back from in-person events for the time being. We are re-evaluating our offerings and developing new virtual educational opportunities. We expect to return in late summer 2022.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in our adventures. Everything has a season and we look forward to seeing you in our next one. All love between now and then.

17/05/2022

Did you know it's Small Business Week?!

We're taking this opportunity to share the love with one of our favorite outdoor small businesses. Meet the team at Hilltop Packs . They produce some of the very best custom and in-stock lightweight Dyneema stuff sacks and food bags you can find.

They are also having a 10% sale through May 24th with code 'smallbiz10'!

https://hilltoppacks.com/

They don't know we're doing this and this is . We are featuring them as we believe in their gear and want to share the love.

02/05/2022

You're invited to join us in the incomparable North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

We're partnering with the Washington's National Park Fund to offer a private hiking experience in this special place. The lucky auction winner with work with us to create a custom hiking experience for four participants. Do you dream of boating on turquoise Diablo Lake? Are you a lover of big vistas over incredible mountainous terrain? Or an immersion in an ancient old-growth forest? We'll make it happen.

We're proud to support the important work of this incredible team. And we're even more excited to share the trail with you!

Find this special experience as package 805 'Guided Day Hike - North Cascades National Park' in the link below. And, while you're there, check out all of the other ways to support this team. We'll see you there.

https://wnpf2022.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse

12/04/2022

Join us at the Washington's National Park Fund Auction for the Parks on 4/30!

This very special event brings together the friends, family, and Parks' Teams in support of our iconic Washington National Parks. We're proud to support the Washington's National Park Fund Team in their mission to support these special places.

You'll also find private outdoor experiences from Cascade Mountain Adventures on the auction table. Join us on the trail this summer for a day hike in Mt. Rainier or North Cascades National Park or on the snow next winter for a snow camping experience.

We love our Parks and are proud to support them for generations to come. See you there?

https://wnpf.org/get-involved/auction-for-the-parks/

11/04/2022

And so it was that the last snow camping event of 2022 is in the rear view mirror.

Sometimes the Mountain gives us blue skies and views into forever. Sometimes She gives us no wind and a sky full of stars. And, sometimes, she gives us a foot of snow and a magical winter wonderland.

We love her in all of her seasons. And we love the Clients that we share her with. Thank you all for another great winter season.
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04/04/2022

“Although I deeply love oceans, deserts, and other wild landscapes, it is only mountains that beckon me with that sort of painful magnetic pull to walk deeper and deeper into their beauty.” – Victoria Erikson

28/03/2022

Some businesses exist to sell products. Other businesses exist to make money. Our business exists to make moments like this happen.

This was our Sunday morning on the Mountain.

“Mountains are not Stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.” — Anatoli Boukreev ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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22/03/2022

That four days ‘til a snow camping event feeling!

This is a time of obsessively watching weather forecasts, answering last minute questions, and readying gear. It is dreaming of the crunch of snow under foot and the stars up above.

Any number of days away from Mt. Rainier National Park in winter are days too many. Almost there. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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12/03/2022

Home again home again…

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11/03/2022

And now for something honest and true on a weekend event eve. Did you know that in-person time shared with an outdoor guide is a fraction of the time they invest in you?

There are countless hours of planning and filing multiple trip options, days of weather and conditions forecasting, mountains of gear to acquire and upkeep, and professional qualifications to maintain. This is in addition to relationship management with Public Lands Management Teams, Insurers, Payment Processors, and other behind the scenes work. Small businesses like this one do it all in-house.

We do this because we love it. We do this because it makes a difference. We do this for you.

This behind the scenes peek is shared in the interest of education and support of your local small guide business. We work hard for our money. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. (please bring us chocolate though) 🍫 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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10/03/2022

Last call for our very last spot this winter season! Registration closes tomorrow for our March 25th snow camping event in Mt. Rainier National Park.

Join us to learn the skills you need for winter wilderness snow camping. We’ll teach you everything you need to know from tent site selection, snow anchors, layer management, trip planning, winter Leave No Trace, and so much more!

Registration closes on March 11th. Click the link below to claim your spot.

https://cascademountainadventures.com/winter-snow-camping-overnight
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08/03/2022

On this International Women’s Day we have a few important reminders.

Women are incredible. We are strong. We are resilient. We are independent. We can climb mountains, backpack solo, swing ice axes, and look beautiful doing it. We can own small businesses, command respect, and demand equality in all things. We can be anything and everything we want to be.

We’re with you, behind you, and cheering for you every step of the way.
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