****Washington State****

Mount Rainier, for which the park is named, is an active volcano, which last erupted 2,200 years ago. It is the highest peak of the Cascade Volcanic Arc and rises abruptly from the surrounding land, majestically topped with snow fall and glaciers.

Enormous amounts of rain and snow fall on the park, particularly on the peak every year, all year round. Incremental weather is a common problem for the 1.3 million tourists who flood to Mount Ranier National Park with the intention of gaping at the remarkable views. Disappointment is common, regardless of the time of year and this is something that potential visitors should bear in mind. I’d advise all tourists to check the weather reports before driving all that way and to put aside more then one potential day to visit.

I was also lucky enough to see the mountain indirectly!! On clear days, Rainier can be seen from as far away as Portland, Oregon, and Victoria in British Columbia. I first saw Rainier from an internal flight I took back to Seattle from Idaho. The Mountain was clearly visible from the plane, towering above the low lying clouds and was truly a spectacular site (I have some amazing photos of it). On a clear day, like we had Mount Rainier can also be seen in the distance from Seattle which is an amazing sight and these experiences did make up for the initial disappointment somewhat.

I've included some pictures of Mount Rainier itself and of the National park in general below.

Mount St Helens National Park, which is 96 miles from Seattle, now stands in stark and bleak contrast to the lush and fertile grounds that surround Mount Ranier, even though the mountain is also part of the Cascades Volcanic Arc. On May 18, 1980, the long-dormant Mount St. Helens erupted following an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, making it the most destructive recorded in the USA. The north face of the mountain collapsed and within moments, this enormous slab of rock and ice slammed into Spirit Lake, crossed a ridge 1,300 feet high, and roared 14 miles down the Toutle River. The eruption lasted nine hours during which nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown over or left dead, 57 people were killed and 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles of railways and 185 miles of highway were destroyed.

Washington State is a beautiful state, with lots to do and I highly recommend a visit to this part of the world. The National Park of Rainier is simply stunning although the unreliable weather experienced here can be an issue. Although destroyed by the eruption of 1980 Mount St Helen’s is also an interesting and unforgettable day trip. What’s more, in addition to these sites Washington State is home to many others areas of outstanding beauty including The Olympic National Park, part of which is coastal. Sadly we didn't have time to visit here, but there’s always next time!