Mt. Rainier National Park: Paradise, Sunrise and Other Areas (Levels 2 to 3)

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In this Part 1 of our trip (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/197112052/), we will visit one of Washington State famous National Parks, Mt. Rainier National Park (http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm). "An Icon on the Horizon -- Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning six major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits."-- Olympic NP is Part 2 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/203628642/) and Victoria/Vancouver is Part 3 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/203637612/)

General Rating/Difficulty: Levels 2 to 3 (Moderate to Strenuous) for distance, elevation, speed and weather condition. Click on RATING TABLE (http://files.meetup.com/1554500/RATING%20TABLE.pdf) for more about difficulty hiking levels

Meeting time: 8:15 - 8:30 AM

Duration: 6-8 hours per day

Distance: 5-15 miles

Elevation: 1K+ft gain

More info of Mt. Rainier National Park and hiking trails: Mt. Rainier Day Hikes (http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/day-hiking-at-mount-rainier.htm) // Trails of Mt. Rainier (http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/trails-of-mount-rainier.htm) //The Top 10 Wildflower Hikes Around Mt. Rainier (http://www.visitrainier.com/pg/10_top_wildflower_hikes/The-Top-10-Wildflower-Hikes-Around-Mt-Rainier) // Map of Mt. Rainier National Park (http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/mount%20rainier%20park%20map.pdf)

Day 2: Sept 7 -- we will spend our day in "Paradise (http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/paradise.htm)" area!

Day 3: Sept 8 -- Sunrise (http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm), Longmire (http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/longmire.htm) and Other Areas (http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm)

***10 hiking Essentials: link (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234)

To buy Hiking Gears: check out with Sport Chalet, REI for quality gears: shoes, clothes and camping gears or short term use gears at Target or Wal-Mart with decent price. You can see them online before going to the stores to check out.

DIRECTIONS:

From Seattle: South on I-5 to SR 512 (exit 127). East on SR 512 to SR 7. South on SR 7 to SR 706 in Elbe. East on SR 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance

REMINDERS:

By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings

> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.

> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY

Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, mountain lions, coyotes, snake bites or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***