Cascade Mountain Adventures

22/09/2024

This is the Mildred Point trail of Mount Rainier National Park. July 2024

Mildred Point is located in the Nisqually area of Mount Rainier National Park. You can access it via either the Comet Falls trail from Rampart Ridge or the Comet Falls trailhead. I chose to do this as a loop from the Comet Falls trailhead, up at over Comet Falls, and a return to Longmire via Rampart Ridge. This was self-supported by dropping a car at Longmire before cycling to Comet Falls.

The crowds drop dramatically past spectacular Comet Falls. I saw two other people at Van Trump Park another 1,000 ft. and 1 mile up from Comet Falls. There was no one else at Mildred Point at another 500 ft. and 1 mile from Van Trump. It was only me and almost 11,000 ft. of vertical view of Mount Rainier. The return trail down Comet Falls toward Rampart Ridge was also empty except for some deer. Pure magic.

Another 9.7 miles down. 175.76 miles to go. Every marked mile of MORA

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?