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06-21-2007, 09:27 AM
Hiking-driving guide will aid park visitors
JEFFREY P. MAYOR; The News Tribune Published: June 21st, 2007 01:00 AM
A new book by Sally Johnson will help visitors to Mount Rainier National Park who want to hike or drive through the park.
“Mount Rainier: Drive or Hike to See” is a collection of trips Johnson has compiled for the Mount Rainier Visitor Association and other publications. There are 15 drives or hikes featured, plus tips for other stops depending on the weather. The hikes are a mix of easy, child-friendly treks to longer, more challengings hikes.
For those who prefer to stay close to the pavement, Johnson offers suggestions on locations for enjoying the park’s sights.
Johnson said this edition takes into account damage done at the park by the November flood. The retired Tacoma teacher said she plans a more comprehensive edition in 2008.
The book is available for $18 plus $4 for shipping at www.mtrainierphotos.com and in Ashford at The Gateway Inn and Whittaker Mountaineering Store.
PARADISE CONSTRUCTION
Walls are going up on the new visitor center, and chimneys and rock work are going back up on the Paradise Inn as the second season of construction is under way.
The $34 million project includes a major renovation of the inn and construction of a center that will replace the saucer-shaped Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise. The inn is scheduled to reopen in May 2008, and the visitor center is scheduled to open in fall 2008.
During the work, the upper parking lot is closed. To avoid crowds at Paradise, consider:
• Visiting Paradise on weekdays, early or late in the day.
• If visiting on a weekend or holiday, arrive at Paradise by 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. for the best parking opportunities.
• Consider exploring other areas of the park.
HIGHWAY 123 WORK
Saybr Contractors Inc. of Tacoma was awarded a $4.9 million contract to do repairs on the flood-damaged portions of Highway 123 on the park’s east side. Work is scheduled to be done by Oct. 5.
Due of the extensive damage, a 10.9-mile long segment from just south of Cayuse Pass to just north of the intersection with the Stevens Canyon Road will be closed to public traffic during the work.
ONLINE VIEWS
Two new webcams are being installed in the park. One will overlook the parking lot at Paradise, looking toward the Tatoosh Range. Another one will look up the mountain. Both cameras are to have a remote control to allow users to change the view.
There also are plans to mount a camera on the Guide House at Paradise. It would overlook the construction site for the new visitor center. The views will be available at www.nps.gov/mora.
KEY DATES
Friday: Stevens Canyon Road will reopen. There will be a short one-lane section approximately three miles west of Highway 123. Visitors will be able to access Stevens Canyon from the southeast via Highwway 123 and U.S. 12.
Saturday: Sunrise Lodge’s snack bar reopens, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
June 29: White River Campground and Mowich Road will reopen.
You can take the shuttle
If you are interested in riding the free shuttle at Mount Rainier National Park, you can find the schedule at www.thenewstribune.com. The shuttles run Fridays through Sundays from Longmire to Paradise and on the Paradise Valley Road.
source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/story/92528.html
JEFFREY P. MAYOR; The News Tribune Published: June 21st, 2007 01:00 AM
A new book by Sally Johnson will help visitors to Mount Rainier National Park who want to hike or drive through the park.
“Mount Rainier: Drive or Hike to See” is a collection of trips Johnson has compiled for the Mount Rainier Visitor Association and other publications. There are 15 drives or hikes featured, plus tips for other stops depending on the weather. The hikes are a mix of easy, child-friendly treks to longer, more challengings hikes.
For those who prefer to stay close to the pavement, Johnson offers suggestions on locations for enjoying the park’s sights.
Johnson said this edition takes into account damage done at the park by the November flood. The retired Tacoma teacher said she plans a more comprehensive edition in 2008.
The book is available for $18 plus $4 for shipping at www.mtrainierphotos.com and in Ashford at The Gateway Inn and Whittaker Mountaineering Store.
PARADISE CONSTRUCTION
Walls are going up on the new visitor center, and chimneys and rock work are going back up on the Paradise Inn as the second season of construction is under way.
The $34 million project includes a major renovation of the inn and construction of a center that will replace the saucer-shaped Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise. The inn is scheduled to reopen in May 2008, and the visitor center is scheduled to open in fall 2008.
During the work, the upper parking lot is closed. To avoid crowds at Paradise, consider:
• Visiting Paradise on weekdays, early or late in the day.
• If visiting on a weekend or holiday, arrive at Paradise by 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. for the best parking opportunities.
• Consider exploring other areas of the park.
HIGHWAY 123 WORK
Saybr Contractors Inc. of Tacoma was awarded a $4.9 million contract to do repairs on the flood-damaged portions of Highway 123 on the park’s east side. Work is scheduled to be done by Oct. 5.
Due of the extensive damage, a 10.9-mile long segment from just south of Cayuse Pass to just north of the intersection with the Stevens Canyon Road will be closed to public traffic during the work.
ONLINE VIEWS
Two new webcams are being installed in the park. One will overlook the parking lot at Paradise, looking toward the Tatoosh Range. Another one will look up the mountain. Both cameras are to have a remote control to allow users to change the view.
There also are plans to mount a camera on the Guide House at Paradise. It would overlook the construction site for the new visitor center. The views will be available at www.nps.gov/mora.
KEY DATES
Friday: Stevens Canyon Road will reopen. There will be a short one-lane section approximately three miles west of Highway 123. Visitors will be able to access Stevens Canyon from the southeast via Highwway 123 and U.S. 12.
Saturday: Sunrise Lodge’s snack bar reopens, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
June 29: White River Campground and Mowich Road will reopen.
You can take the shuttle
If you are interested in riding the free shuttle at Mount Rainier National Park, you can find the schedule at www.thenewstribune.com. The shuttles run Fridays through Sundays from Longmire to Paradise and on the Paradise Valley Road.
source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/story/92528.html