Webmaster
11-22-2007, 08:54 AM
How to camp, visit Mount Rainier
The News Tribune
Published: November 22nd, 2007 01:00
The first significant storm of the winter hit Mount Rainier late last week, dumping 12 inches at Paradise.
As snow accumulations grow around the mountain, the park staff has begun the transition to a winter operations schedule.
Park access: The Nisqually entrance to Longmire is open all year. The park maintains access to Paradise throughout the winter from Longmire. The road above Longmire closes nightly to motor vehicles through the winter and reopens around 9 a.m. depending on the need for snow removal. Access to Paradise generally closes around 4:30 p.m., with motorized access in both directions closing about 6 p.m.
Road closures: Several roads are scheduled to close Dec. 1, or once the first heavy snowfall forces their closure. Scheduled to close are Highway 123, from the south park boundary to Cayuse Pass, and Highway 410 and Chinook Pass. The Westside Road may close to vehicles at any time due to snow.
Parking at Paradise: On weekdays no parking is available in the upper Paradise lot due to construction at the Paradise Inn and new visitor center.
On weekends and holidays, parking will be provided in both the Jackson Visitor Center parking lot and the upper Paradise Inn parking area.
Snowshoe treks: Reservations are being accepted for organized group snowshoe walks to be led at 10:30 a.m. daily Dec. 22-Jan. 1 and every Saturday and Sunday thereafter until early April. Groups are limited to 25 people. To make a reservation, call 360-569-2211, Ext. 3314.
Winter camping: Winter camping also returns this year at Paradise. Camping will be allowed once snow levels reach 5 feet at Paradise, but areas will be limited due to construction at the inn. Permits are required, and overnight parking for winter camping is substantially limited.
Visitor centers: The Jackson center is open to visitors only on weekends and holidays during the winter. It will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and again Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 and weekends throughout the remainder of the winter. The gift shop and grill hours are from 11 a.m. to 4:45.
The Longmire Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lodging: The National Park Inn at Longmire is open all year. For reservations, contact the National Park Inn at 360-569-2275. Hotels and inns outside the park also offer accommodations throughout the winter. You can learn more at www.visitrainier.org.
Information: To check current road and weather conditions, call 360-569-2211, then press 1, or visit the park Web site at www.nps.gov/mora. Visitors can also tune to 1610 AM in Elbe for current information as they approach the park.
from: http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/210398.html
The News Tribune
Published: November 22nd, 2007 01:00
The first significant storm of the winter hit Mount Rainier late last week, dumping 12 inches at Paradise.
As snow accumulations grow around the mountain, the park staff has begun the transition to a winter operations schedule.
Park access: The Nisqually entrance to Longmire is open all year. The park maintains access to Paradise throughout the winter from Longmire. The road above Longmire closes nightly to motor vehicles through the winter and reopens around 9 a.m. depending on the need for snow removal. Access to Paradise generally closes around 4:30 p.m., with motorized access in both directions closing about 6 p.m.
Road closures: Several roads are scheduled to close Dec. 1, or once the first heavy snowfall forces their closure. Scheduled to close are Highway 123, from the south park boundary to Cayuse Pass, and Highway 410 and Chinook Pass. The Westside Road may close to vehicles at any time due to snow.
Parking at Paradise: On weekdays no parking is available in the upper Paradise lot due to construction at the Paradise Inn and new visitor center.
On weekends and holidays, parking will be provided in both the Jackson Visitor Center parking lot and the upper Paradise Inn parking area.
Snowshoe treks: Reservations are being accepted for organized group snowshoe walks to be led at 10:30 a.m. daily Dec. 22-Jan. 1 and every Saturday and Sunday thereafter until early April. Groups are limited to 25 people. To make a reservation, call 360-569-2211, Ext. 3314.
Winter camping: Winter camping also returns this year at Paradise. Camping will be allowed once snow levels reach 5 feet at Paradise, but areas will be limited due to construction at the inn. Permits are required, and overnight parking for winter camping is substantially limited.
Visitor centers: The Jackson center is open to visitors only on weekends and holidays during the winter. It will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and again Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 and weekends throughout the remainder of the winter. The gift shop and grill hours are from 11 a.m. to 4:45.
The Longmire Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lodging: The National Park Inn at Longmire is open all year. For reservations, contact the National Park Inn at 360-569-2275. Hotels and inns outside the park also offer accommodations throughout the winter. You can learn more at www.visitrainier.org.
Information: To check current road and weather conditions, call 360-569-2211, then press 1, or visit the park Web site at www.nps.gov/mora. Visitors can also tune to 1610 AM in Elbe for current information as they approach the park.
from: http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/210398.html