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The road from Nisqually to Paradise, in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, has  a few places to stop and hike, or just enjoy the natural scenery.

 

Twin Firs Trail

The first stop we made was at the Twin Firs Trail. This is a short and easy 0.4 mile loop through an old growth forest. Most of the trees are tall Douglas firs, cedars, and hemlock, some over 800 years old.

Twin Firs Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Twin Firs Trail
Twin Firs Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Twin Firs Trail
Looking up along the Twin Firs Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Looking up along the trail

The scenery is beautiful, especially with all the moss and fallen timbers, but there was one problem. At about the halfway point, we lost the trail and couldn’t find where the loop continued.

Fallen timber on the Twin Firs Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Fallen timber
Twin Firs Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Twin Firs Trail
Where's the trail? Twin Firs Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Where’s the trail?

 

Cougar Rock Overlook

After Longmire, there’s the Cougar Rock Overlook. It’s a look at a huge tree-covered rock with the rocky Nisqually River below.

Cougar Rock Overlook in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Cougar Rock Overlook

 

Christine Falls

The best views of Christine Falls are from the bottom. First, there’s a pullout before a bridge which allows you to see the middle tier of the falls. Another pullout after crossing the bridge allows you to walk down to see the lower tier. With the bridge above the waterfall, it’s no secret why this is one of the most photographed scenes in the park.

Middle tier of Christine Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Middle tier of Christine Falls
Christine Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Christine Falls

If you prefer, you can walk a short section of the Comet Falls Trail to the upper tier of Christine Falls. After a slight elevation gain through the forest, you cross a bridge which takes you to the falls. The trail continues to one of the tallest waterfalls in the park, Comet Falls, and it’s really not worth the effort to walk only to Christine Falls.

Comet Falls trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Comet Falls Trail
Comet Falls trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Comet Falls Trail
Upper tier of Christine Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Upper tier of Christine Falls
Upper tier of Christine Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Upper tier of Christine Falls

 

Ricksecker Point

Closed to the public on the day we visited was Ricksecker Point, which offers some of the best viewpoints in the park. It’s accessed via a small one-way road connected to the main highway.

 

Narada Falls

Narada Falls is another popular waterfall that’s easily accessed via a short downhill trail. It drops 188 feet in two tiers.

Upper tier of Narada Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Upper tier of Narada Falls
Narada Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Narada Falls
Narada Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Narada Falls

From the parking lot, it’s possible to get a good look at the Tatoosh Range.

Tatoosh Range in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Tatoosh Range
Tatoosh Range in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Tatoosh Range

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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