Road 2 Rainier 2019

Road to

Rainier 2019/20

Your FREE comprehensive guide to activities, dining, shopping and lodging around Mount Rainier

A publication of

dispatchnews.com

Serving Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens National Parks Stay in comfort at one of the finest lodges in the area

www.hclodging.com

Harrison Christian Lodging

SEASONS MOTEL

MILL VILLAGE MOTEL

CREST TRAIL LODGE

MORTON, WASHINGTON

EATONVILLE, WASHINGTON

PACKWOOD, WASHINGTON

1-877-496-6835

1-800-832-3248

1-800-477-5339

NISQUALLY LODGE

COWLITZ RIVER LODGE

ASHFORD, WASHINGTON 1-888-674-3554

PACKWOOD, WASHINGTON 1-888-305-2185

Harrison Christian Lodging offers places to stay for travelers to the White Pass and Mt. Rainier area. Our motels and resorts are affordable and offer great amenities. If you are looking for a hotel near Mt. Rainier, consider

Mill Village Motel in Eatonville or the Nisqually Lodge in Ashford. The Seasons Motel is conveniently located between Mt. Rainier, the Mount St. Helens Wilderness and White Pass. If you are looking for a hotel near White PagePass, 2 Road Rainier 2019/20 The Crest Trail Lodge or Cowlitz River Lodge is an excellent option. Please call or check ourto website for details.

N

Welcome to Mount Rainier The way she dominates the skyline and captures the heart, Mount Rainier is breathtaking for all who visit her. More than a million people each year make a special trip to “see the mountain.” And no matter if a visitor is going for the first time or making yet another return trip, the majestic peak and the indescribably beautiful surrounding area are truly something to be experienced, cherished and enjoyed.

Mount Rainier National Park, which was established in 1899, is a 235,625-acre park, of which 97 percent is designated wilderness. It includes the mountain, a 14,410-foot vision encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice.

Make plans to stay a few days in a wooded cabin, rustic spa or scenic lodge to give you the time that’s needed to really relax, get an eyeful of the mountain, hike some of the natural wooded trails and enjoy the wildlife and unforgettable vistas. Virtually in the mountain’s shadow, you can ride an old-time steam train, shop for gifts that are unique to Mount Rainier and the region, kick back in front of a fire or just enjoy a delicious meal at unique restaurants in beautiful settings.

Inside the park, attractions include the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, which houses a range of informative park exhibits and a cafeteria in a welcoming setting that affords dazzling views of the mountain and surrounding scenery.

Nearby is the Paradise Inn hotel and restaurant, a rustic palace which has been charming guests for 90 years. If you haven’t visited the Mount Rainier area in the last several years, you won’t miss a beat. You will get a hearty welcome back by the park’s staff and all of the businesses in the gateway communities that go out of their way to make your visit pleasant and memorable. And whether you’re a repeat or a first-time visitor, all of nature’s wonders are even better when you plan your visit and stay long enough to experience all there is to offer.

You can start planning your trip to Mount Rainier National Park by reading the Road to Rainier to find out more about stops along the way and things to do when you arrive. You can also go online for the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/mora for extensive park information, or log on to www.Mt-Rainier.com to learn about local attractions and accommodations.

Mount Rainier awaits. See you soon.

Falls Tiered 69 feet (21 m) 10 feet (3.0 m) Van Trump Creek

Christine Falls is a waterfall on Van Trump Creek in Pierce County, Washington. The falls are 69 feet (21 m) feet high and are best known for the Christine Falls Bridge spanning the lower drop. The upper drop is 32 feet (9.8 m) high and is almost impossible to film in tandem with the oft-photographed 37-foot (11 m) lower tier. The lower tier is probably one of the most commonly photographed locations in the Mount Rainier area.

The falls were named in honor of Christine Van Trump, the daughter of P. B. Van Trump. In 1889 Christine, then nine years old, accompanied her father on an ascent of Mount Rainier, as far as her strength would allow. She made it to the 10,000-foot (3,000 m) level, even though she had a crippling nervous disorder.

References: “Christine Falls”, Waterfalls of Northwest “Chronology of Climbs on Mt. Rainier”.

Tacoma Public Library. Retrieved 24 July 2010.

“Wikipedia”.

s er

d e s.

Christine Type: Total height: Total width: Watercourse:

Road to Rainier 2019/20

Page 3

Planning a Visit to the Mountain Mount Rainier National Park is open all year. Come any time, park officials say, but depending on the kind of visit you want, keep the following in mind:

• Visitation is at its peak in July and August, when the weather is warm and dry and the wildflowers are blooming. Parking is limited in many areas of the park, especially on busy summer weekends and holidays. If you are planning a summer trip to Mount Rainier, consider visiting mid-week, which is generally less crowded.

• In spring, with ephemeral waterfalls, and in autumn, with brilliant colors reaching deep into the valleys, visitors can enjoy a more leisurely vacation in the park. During these seasons, weather may determine the availability of facilities. Before making any plans check the current status of roads, campgrounds, trails and activities.

• Use this guide to familiarize yourself with the towns along the road. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Rainier, they welcome you and offer various dining and lodging opportunities. Take time to visit the galleries and gift shops that are located along the way, as well as planning to visit local attractions or events to make the most of your trip.

• Vehicle access to Mount Rainier in the winter is only from the Nisqually entrance, in the southwest corner of the park on the way to Paradise. Check the road status prior to coming to the park, as road conditions are subject to change.

• Campgrounds and picnic areas close during the winter and generally reopen in late spring.

• Visitor centers generally are open from early May until early September. Hours vary.

• Information is available from the park headquarters at 360-569-2211, www.nps.gov/mora, and 5521 238th Ave. E., Ashford, WA 98304.

Table of Contents Welcome To Mount Rainier ............................................. p.3 Planning A Visit To Mountain .............................................. p.4 Directions & Distances .......................................................... p.5 The Gateway Communities ................................................... p.6-7 Dining ...................................................................................... p.8-9 Voted Best Businesses Near Rainier ..................................... p.10-12 Donors Help Support Eatonville Family ............................. p.13 Advertisers Index ................................................................... p.14-15 Human Effort Created The Local Paradise ......................... p.16-17 So You Want To Climb Mount Rainier ................................ p.18-19 Plenty Of Fun For Everyone At Mount Rainier ................. p.20-21 Activities And Events ............................................................. p.22-24 Galleries And Gifts ................................................................. p.25 Goods And Services ............................................................... p.26-27 Places To Stay Near The Mountain ...................................... p.28-29 Rv Camping ............................................................................. p.30

Editor: Danielle Chastaine Advertising: Tammy Knaggs dispatch@nwlink.com Graphic Design: Guy L. Jackson Published by Pacific Publishing Company, Inc. P.O. Box 248, Eatonville, WA 98328 800-616-4370 Page 4

Photo credits: Jim Bryant, Sally Johnson, Tony Sirgedas,

Michelle Pate,Guy L. Jackson Cover Art: Christine Falls - Guy L. Jackson Road to Rainier 2019/20

Directions & Distances Here are some of the routes and travel times for reaching Mount Rainier National Park. To get to the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park (Nisqually, Longmire and Paradise) from Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima, or Portland ...

• From Seattle: South on I-5 to State Route 512 (exit 127). Then go east on SR-512 to State Route 7. South on SR-7 (Pacific Ave. exit) to State Route 706 in Elbe. East on SR-706 through Ashford to the Nisqually entrance.

• From Tacoma: 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.

• From Yakima: West on U.S. 12 to State Route 7 in Morton. North on SR-7 to Elbe. East on State Route 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually entrance.

• From Portland: North on Interstate 5 to State Route 12 (exit 68)

Road to Rainier 2019/20

East on SR-12 to State Route 7 in Morton. North on SR-7 to State Route 706 in Elbe. East on SR-706 to the Nisqually entrance. To reach the east side of the park (Ohanapecosh, Sunrise and White River) from Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima, or Portland: • Take State Routes 123 and 410, Interstate 90 and U.S. 12. By airplane: For air travelers, after landing at: • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the one-way distance is 85 miles.

• Yakima Air Terminal, the one-way distance is 100 miles.

• Portland International Airport, the one-way distance is 150 miles.

Bus transportation to the park is available from May 1 to Sept. 30, Gray Line Tours (800-305-9617) offers daily trips from Seattle.

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The Gateway Communities As you approach Mount Rainier National Park, you will pass through the towns that are nestled in the foothills of the mountain. A description of these towns and what they have to offer will enrich and make your trip more fufilling. You can approach the mountain from all directions – Yakima, Enumclaw, Chehalis, Olympia or Tacoma – but if you choose to enter the park through the main entrance, you end up traveling on State Route 7 and will finally pass through the last town before the Park.

Ashford is located just a few miles west of the main entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. It features numerous shops, dining and lodging facilities for visitors as well as the base for climbing and mountaineering services. The surrounding, heavily forested mountains

rise more steeply and form the narrow valley where the small town of Ashford is situated and through which the Nisqually River flows.

Elbe is located at the beginning of Alder Lake, a reservoir. Elbe is the home of the popular Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. You will find dining facilities, a small grocery store and gas station, and a newly constructed rest area. The tiny Lutheran Church in Elbe, built in 1906, is a historic monument and a reminder of the founders’ German origins.

Alder is a town situated on the edge of seven-mile long Alder Lake, near the hydroelectric dam. Completed in 1945, Alder Dam was built as a concrete arch dam on the Nisqually River. Operated by Tacoma Power, the dam and adjacent Alder Lake Park offer swimming areas and

MILES

DRIVING DISTANCES TO MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

Paradise

19

Nisqually Entrance 104 85 Seattle

76 57

33

Tacoma

70 51

60

30 Olympia

168 149 176 144 115 Portland 85

66

84

55

31

50

75

60 101 172 99

76

57 37

26

25 89 Centralia 52 172 76

White River Entrance

38

Enumclaw 21 40 88 77 91 156 89 15 51 Stevens Canyon Entrance 87 100 143 131 183 178 154 69 105 66 Yakima 50 31

89

59 69 108 47

81 66

46

27

60

31

40 138 46

77

37 67 136 30 Eatonville

38 19

68

37 46 120 59

69

45

59 128 22

7

Alder

33 14

73

42

51 125 64

64

50

54 123 17

11

5

25

80

50

30 132 71

56

57

46 111 24

20 13

6

71 107 Morton

Elbe 8

G

Ashford

Home Loc • Pul

Distances to other Major Cities in Washington State

Bellingham to Portand Spokane to Seattle Page 6

262 mi 279 mi

Bellingham to Seattle 77 mi Bremerton to Seattle - (by ferry 18 mi) or 66 mi

119

Road to Rainier 2019/20

campgrounds, as well as several boat launches to provide access for the lake’s recreational activities. The construction of the dam forced the relocation of the previously much larger old town of Alder (built in the late 1800s) to its present location on the northwest edge of the lake.

Mineral is a small town just off State Route 7 near the Pierce County/ Lewis County line. Mineral is most noted as a fishing destination.

Mineral Lake is stocked yearly with rainbow trout and other fish species.

Mineral originally began as a mining town and then as the site of a logging camp and sawmill, both no longer in operation. Mineral offers basic services such as a gas station and small grocery store.

La Grande has a diversion dam and hydroelectric plant completed in 1912. A small post office on the highway is a popular stopping point for tourists.

Eatonville is one of the larger towns along the road to Mount Rainier, with a population of just under 3,000. Lodging, dining establishments, gift and art galleries, a grocery store, gas stations and its proximity to Mount Rainier, Northwest Trek and Pioneer Farm Museum make it a natural stopping-off point. It was founded by Thomas C. Van Eaton and had its own lumber company and sawmill before its closure in 1954. For centuries, Native Americans roamed the rivers and streams of the area.

Indian Henry was one of those who, in 1889, guided the town’s founder, who established a trading post to provide needed goods and supplies to the early settlers.

Morton is located southwest of the park on Highway 12 and offers shopping, dining and lodging facilities. The annual Loggers Jubilee occurs there the second weekend of August.

Packwood is located at the intersection of Highway 12 and Gifford Pinchot National Forest Road 52 (Skate Creek Road), between Mount Rainier National Park to the north and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to the south. Packwood is located in the upper Cowlitz River valley. The decades-old, annual Packwood Flea Market attracts tens of thousands during the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

Roy a small community located on State Route 507, just west off State Route 7, is the home of the Roy Rodeo, which is held twice a year. The town comes alive for this bi-annual event.

Enumclaw is a sizable city, located in the midst of flat, level farmlands and dairy farms. It is on the road to the Crystal Mountain Resort area and the access on the northeast side of Mount Rainier National Park, the White River entrance. The flat geography in the middle of mountainous territory is due to the ancient Osceola Mudflow from Mount Rainier. The Enumclaw Expo Center annually hosts the King County Fair and the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games, among a number of other exhibitions and festivals.

Graham is a community located on Highway 161, south of the city of Puyallup. Site of the Pierce County Fairgrounds.

Orting is located approximately 30 miles from Mount Rainier on Highway 162. Orting is nestled between the Carbon and Puyallup Rivers.

The Foothills Trail is a paved trail built on the old railroad bed that runs through Orting.

Gypsy Wagon Espresso B E S T M O C H A , C A L I F O R N I A TO C A N A DA

Full Espresso Menu

Smoothies Italian Soda Iced Coffee

Ride on in on your way to Mount

Rainier!

Great Menu including:

Homemade Pizza, Elk Burgers & Much More!

Local Wines, Spirits, Beer & Microbrews • Pull Tabs, Karaoke & Pool Table •

rs r tende Hot Ba Food Cold Beer War m r vice e Bad S

119 Mashell Ave., Eatonville 360-832-GRUB (4782)

Road to Rainier 2019/20

Mon. - Fri. 4 am - 6 pm Saturday - 6 am - 6 pm Sunday - 7 am - 6 pm

360-832-3258

115 Washington Ave. N, Eatonville, WA Page 7

Dining Copper Creek Inn -

This historic inn offers breakfast, lunch and dinner to travelers.

World-famous homemade blackberry pies in Ashford. 360-569-2799 or 877-325-5881. www.coppercreekinn.com

Alexander’s Lodge & Restaurant -

National Park Inn at Longmire -

Inside the park, the National Park Inn at Longmire keeps the griddles hot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Daily specials, as well as a full menu plus vegetarian plates. Wine and well drinks are available tableside in the beautifully restored historic building. Open year-round. 360-569-2275, www.guestservices.com/rainier

Celebrating over 100 years. A favorite spot to dine in Ashford.

360-569-2300, www.alexanderslodge.com

Carbonado Saloon -

Relax and enjoy a cold beer and great food at the Historical Saloon established in 1889. Full menu, pool table, daily specials, 8000 square foot beer garden with firepit. Try a burger, you can’t go wrong! Near Mt. Rainier Carbon River entrance. 101 Pershing Ave. in Carbonado.

360-829-4347.

Crystal Mountain Resorts -

Several dining options are available at Crystal Mountain. Enjoy fine dining in a casual atmosphere at the Summit House, elevation 6872’, accessed by a ride on the Gondola. This world class ski resort reveals beautiful views of the mountain year-round. Call 360-663-3085 for reservations. Enjoy dining at the Alpine Inn (360-663-2262) or the Snorting Elk (360-663-7798). Excellent food, cocktail service, great micro beers and wine!

Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier -

Truly the ‘Best Mocha California to Canada!’ Full espresso menu, smoothies, Italian soda, iced and hot lattes. 115 Washington Ave. N., Eatonville. 360-832-3258.

Picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and signature dishes with a variety of American favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sunday brunch offered June through September includes a carving station, smoked salmon, seasonal fresh fruits, delectable desserts and other traditional brunch favorites. www.guestservices.com/rainier

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining Company -

Pizza Express -

Gypsy Wagon Espresso -

Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in the unique atmosphere of a genuine railroad dining car. Located at State Routes 7 and 706, the Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Company offers a great menu of homemade soups and desserts, in-house smoked barbecue items, and classic American cuisine. Opens daily at 9 a.m and serves until 10 p.m. Wet your whistle in the Sidetrack Lounge with local wines, spirits and brew until 1 a.m. Enjoy the outdoor beer garden. Stay at fully air-conditioned cabooses.

Jacuzzi available. Located 15 miles from the park entrance, in Elbe.

360-569-2505, www.rrdiner.com Page 8

Featuring delicious fresh baked pizza, whole pies, take & bake, pizza by the slice, as well as cold beverages. Completely remodeled caboose next to Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum boarding depot in Elbe.

Picnic style outdoor seating. 54106 Mt. Hwy. E., Elbe. 360-569-8878.

Road to Rainier 2019/20

The Pour House -

Located in downtown Eatonville, The Pour House offers homemade pizza, elk and buffalo burgers, and more. Taco Tuesday, daily drink and menu specials. Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.

119 Mashell Ave. N. 360-832-GRUB (4782).

Rainier Basecamp Grill -

Located in Ashford.Trail lunches and complete meal packages for hikers, climbers and expeditionists. Ashford. 360-569-2727.

Subway -

Enjoy a hot breakfast, grab some lunch or have some dinner on your way home. Fresh ingredients, great salads, soups and sandwiches.

Located in Milltown Plaza, 220 Center St., in Eatonville.

360-832-2400.

Simply Delicious Catering Company -

‘Elegant catering at affordable prices’ from the owners of Pizza Express.

Perfect choice for your Mt. Rainier events; weddings, family reunions, retreats, and boxed lunches. Dave & Cindy Hickman 253-651-7579 or email SimplyDeliciousCateringCompany@yahoo.com

Road to Rainier 2019/20

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VOTED Best Businesses NEAR RAINIER The Cruiser Café is located at 106 Washington Ave S, Eatonville. Call the restaurant at (360)832-8646.

The following restaurants residents voted that made the top five include; • Copper Creek Inn located at 35707 State Route 706, Ashford.

Opened since 1946, the restaurant features American Fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Along with pie baked in-house.

• Shaken in Eatonville, located at 138 Mashell Ave N, is a bar and bistro serving pub food and specials throughout the week.

• Pizza Express located at 54106 State Route 706. in Elbe. This pizzeria is built inside a 1910 train car and offers pizza by the slice or a full pie.

• Cottage Bakery and Café, located at 212 State Route 161 in Eatonville. This charming café offers baked pastries, coffee, sandwiches, salads and soup made in house. They also offer gluten, vegan and vegetarian options.

By DANIELLE CHASTAINE dispatcheditor@nwlink.com If you have never visited South Pierce County and are thinking of taking a day trip to Mount Rainier or maybe visiting the area for the weekend, take a chance to visit some of the great, locally owned businesses in the area.

This year the Eatonville Dispatch team posted a poll to give residents a chance to vote for their favorite restaurants, shops and places to stay on the way to Mount Rainier National Park.

For the first year, residents gave great responses. Many of the contests came close but in the end there was a clear winner for each category.

So before heading out this summer to the mountain, take a look at the list of great spots to shop and eat while you visit.

Best place to eat near the park:

Our first place winner was the Eatonville favorite, the Cruiser Café.

The Cruiser Café is a traditional American diner serving the perfect after-game fare for fans of the Eatonville Cruisers, the local high school sports teams.

Dubbed the “Home of the big E,” the Cruiser Café has a casual, hometown style and big flavor.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for fair prices. It’s the place where you can find nearly everyone from Eatonville including town leaders, local students and your neighbor.

Cruiser Café received 57 percent of the vote for “Best Stops on the Road to Rainier.”

For those with special dietary needs, the Cruiser Café also has vegan burger options and a large menu to fit anyone’s diet.

Sit outside and view the mountain while enjoying a classic piece of Eatonville’s business core. Or take an order to go to eat while enjoying the meadows in the park.

Page 10

Where to go for car repairs

No one wants to have to deal with unexpected car issues while taking a vacation, but it happens more often than you think. If you find yourself stuck and needing a mechanic, voters suggest going to Motorworx in Eatonville.

Located at 116 Mashell Ave N, this local car shop offers lube and oil changes, engine repair, electrical system repairs, exhaust and system services, A/C repair, tune-ups, suspension, radiator system repair, brake repair, transmission services, computer diagnostics and factory maintenance services, according to the Motorworx website.

Motorworx opened in Eatonville over 20 years ago and has provided service that earned them a top spot in the Best on the Road to Rainier contest. Customers can call for an appointment at (360) 832-6515.

Other great mechanics include;

• Napa Auto Parts, located at 105 Center St E., Eatonville. Napa Auto Parts is a great place for do-it-yourself mechanics to find the tools and parts they need for a last minute fix on the road.

Road to Rainier 2019/20

• Sorenson’s Automotive, with two locations at 203 Mashell Ave N. in Eatonville and at 10015 213th St E. in Graham, offers towing, preventative maintenance and emergency repair.

• Eatonville Auto Parts Rods located at 44106 WA-161 in Eatonville.

The best place to grab groceries

For visitors planning a long campout or stay near the mountain, it’s best to know where to gran essentials such as milk, eggs and marshmallows for roasting.

According to voters, the best stop is Plaza Market, which received 83 percent of the vote.

A small grocer on 203 Center Street E. in Eatonville, the Plaza Market is a throwback to the old mom and pop grocers before large chains became the norm.

Reviewers rave about their sales and the bag boys who will help you take your groceries to the car.

Other top places to go for grocery needs include; • The Mountain Community Co-op, located at 105 Carter St. E. in Eatonville. The co-op features healthy, natural food options and sustainable products.

• The Surver’s General Store located at 30402 State Route 706 in Ashford. The historic little grocer was built in 1905 and sells grocer essentials, firewood, beer and wine, and tools.

• Ashford Valley Grocery located at 29716 State Route 706 in Ashford. This store is the last chance to grab gas or propane before heading into Mount Rainier National Park. Here visitors can grab camping and fishing supplies, deli items, groceries and gift items. An ATM is located inside the store.

Best place to grab a souvenir

For the visitors who love to collect unique gifts and souvenirs on their trips, a stop at Kirk’s Pharmacy is a must. Located at 104 MashellAve N., in Eatonville.

There are three Kirk’s Pharmacy stores in Pierce County. “My dad, Kirk, owns Kirk’s Pharmacy and bought it in 1995,” Andrew Heinz, one of the storeowners, said. “The one store in Eatonville, the building has always been a pharmacy since about 1909. There used to be a hospital

Road to Rainier 2019/20

upstairs and it was once a soda shop and a pharmacy. So that’s some fun history.”

The original pharmacy started in 1929 but was named Drug Store under the ownership of Leonard Swanson. In addition to being a pharmacy, Drug Store was a soda fountain, US Post Office, and a dress shop.

The store is family-oriented, Heinz said. His parents, siblings and cousins have all worked at the store at one point.

While locals love going to Kirk’s for compounds and prescriptions, visitors enjoy the eclectic gift shop items.

“We treat it very much like one of the last main stops before you get to Paradise or Rainier,” Heinz said. “We offer anything and everything a traveler might need on the way to the mountain such as sunscreen or batteries. We try to feature local that makes or creates anything.

We try to support them through the business. The gift shop aspect, we try to find things you won’t readily find on Amazon or in a Wal-Mart.

Obviously we pick things to highlight the mountain.”

Other great stops to shop on the way to the mountain, according to voters, include; • Mount Rainier Sportz located at 54010 Mountain Hwy E. in Elbe.

A newly established business for those who love skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and more, the store recently made news in the community by providing a free bike to a resident in need.

“What has started out as just an idea has developed into to a one of a kind shop for its area,” the shop’s website states. “We’re proud of the business that we’ve created and relish the opportunity to continue offering our rentals and services to customers in the future.”

• Double T Meats located at 102 Center St. W. in Eatonville is a great place for those who rather bring home edible gifts than knick-knacks.

This great small meat deli can provide the perfect protein packed snack for a hike through the mountain, or the best blend of trail mix, smoked cheese, pepperoni and sides for a beautiful picnic among the wild flowers.

Page 11

do

• The Holly Hut located at 129 Washington Avenue in Eatonville is a great stop for the flower and garden art love. The cute setting is surrounded with flowers in the spring and summer, welcoming shoppers to enjoy the garden while finding the perfect yard decoration.

• The Longmire General Store located at the National Park Inn in Longmire is a historic building filled with food, gifts, games, apparel and more.

Best place to book a room near the mountain Mill Village Motel, located at 210 Center St. E. in Eatonville, is a modest motel but was voted by residents as the best place to stay on the way to Mount Rainier National Park.

Owners Debbie and Harrison Christian purchased the motel in the early 2000s from the original owner.

“We bought it from Heath Malcolm, he built the Malcolm shopping center,” Debbie Christian said. “We added the rock landscape and painted it, added new furniture and beds in it. And we hired an artist to do the mural.”

Debbie Christian was excited to hear her motel was voted as the best place to stay. She and her husband own a number of motels in the Pierce County area.

“We try to keep it clean and comfortable,” Christian said. “We offer a full hot breakfast that way people can hit the road early if they want to.”

Smith said Eatonville is a great place for a small family vacation because it’s so close to Northwest Trek and Mount Rainier, plus the town is friendly.

“It’s a cute little community, a friendly community,” she said. “They have some great restaurants and if they want guests can go to the grocery story before they head to the mountain.”

Page 12

Road to Rainier 2019/20

donors help support Eatonville Family.

By DANIELLE CHASTAINE dispatcheditor@nwlink.com Alana Smith is hoping her new store, the Center Street JunctionMercantile and More, will start gaining profit at the end of its second year to help benefit the local food bank. The shop is about to hit its first anniversary in Eatonville.

Although Smith has seen a lot of support from the community, its profits are still breaking even with the cost of rent, employees and overhead.

“They say it takes two to five years for a business to become profitable,” Smith said. “But I think we can do it just before our two-year anniversary.”

The Mercantile is more than just a shop, and a salad bar that also serves tacos; it’s a way to help local vendors and families in need.

“I’m the president of the (Eatonville Chamber of Commerce) so I have a big spot in my heart for these small businesses,” Smith said.

The Mercantile features over 40 local merchants and artists selling anything from home decorations, homemade wood art, antiques and more. In the back is a small thrift shop comprised of donations from the community. All the money from the thrift shop helps support the Eatonville Family Agency, which Smith directs. The merchants who rent space in the Mercantile also pay a small percentage of their profits to help the food bank.

The store opened in May 2018 with just 19 merchants and a few donations. In the last year Smith opened the salad bar, hired four parttime employees, gained multiple volunteers and filled out the thrift shop.

“It’s been better than I could have every imagined,” Smith said. “The community donates to it, we have a ton of volunteers but I think the most exciting part is it’s become a community hub. People will have coffee and lunch and hang out, supporting us the locals have been amazing.”

Road to Rainier 2019/20

While some customers come straight back to just visit the thrift shop, many visitors from in and out of town like to peruse the many vendors.

Where else can a shopper find a cute log decoration, a hand-painted image of Eatonville and new shoes for work?

Smith was born and raised in Eatonville and moved away to raise a family. She moved back six years ago and dived into her work for the community.

“I’ve always wanted to open this store but it took a lot of money and overhead to raise,” Smith said. “But last year we were able to get the money together to do it and it’s just been a whirlwind.”

The Eatonville Family Agency is a “hunger relief organization” for Eatonville and other parts of Southeast Pierce County. It serves families in a 580-square-mile radius.

The Eatonville Family Agency has donated 29,881 clothing items to families in need, has given 11,438 backpack meals to local students, it has 8,057 seniors who participate in its organized activities and has 12,009 clients for its food bank.

In 2018 it cost $227,000 to run the agency, which is why Smith is hoping to gain some profit in the next year.

Smith said the Mercantile is looking for more vendors all the time and is working on creating a line of homemade candies.

The Center Street Junction – Mercantile and More is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday but Sunday. Anyone who wishes to donate to the store’s thrift shop can bring donations during business hours.

Page 13

Ashford..................................................Ashford Creek Pottery

Ad Pag e# Foo d/D rink Lod gin g Rec reat ion Ser vice s Gifts /Sho pping Cam ping /RV Clim bing/ Hike

Adv er ti s

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Advertisers Index: 27

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Ashford...................................International Mountain Guides

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Ashford............................................................Nisqually Lodge Carbonado ..................................................Carbonado Saloon Crystal Mountain ............................ Crystal Mountain Resort Eatonville...........................................Pioneer Farm Museum Eatonville .................... Stringtown Cellars & Lavender Farm Eatonville ............................................................... Holly Hut Eatonville ..................................... Founding Family Antiques Eatonville ......................................................Double T Meats Eatonville ....................................................Kirk’s Pharmacy Eatonville .......................................... Gypsy Wagon Espresso Eatonville .............................. The Pour House Grub and Pub Eatonville ............................................Eatonville Liquor Store Eatonville ................................... Henley’s Silver Lake Resort Eatonville ................................................Rainbow RV Resort Eatonville ...................................Eatonville Veterinary Clinic Eatonville .................................................. Mill Village Motel Elbe .............................................. Simply Delicious Catering Elbe.............................Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Company Elbe......................................................................Pizza Express Enumclaw ......................................................... Rodeway Inn Graham............................................................Camp Lakeview Mineral .....................................................Mineral Lake Resort Morton................................................Morton Logger’s Jubilee Morton................................................................Seasons Motel Mt. Rainier Ntl Park..................... Mt. Rainier Guest Services Packwood.......................................................Crest Trail Lodge Packwood..................................................Cowlitz River Lodge Roy..............................................................Roy Pioneer Rodeo

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Ashford..............................................................Wellspring Spa

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Road to Rainier 2019/20

Road to Rainier 2019/20

Page 15

human effort created the local paradise

By DANIELLE CHASTAINE dispatcheditor@nwlink.com Mount Rainier has cast a long shadow over Pierce and Thurston County for thousands of years. The mountain is an icon for the Puget Sound area, a popular camping recreation and a special place for local Native American Tribes.

This history of the volcanic mountain is expansive. It began over a million years ago when Native Americans used the mountain for resources. The Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, Muckleshoot, Yakama, and Cowlitz tribes all used the natural resources surrounding the mountain they called Takhoma, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

“Archaeological evidence traces native use of the area back 9,000 years,” a feature on Mount Rainier on the NPS website states. “For millennia, the ancestors of modern tribes came to the mountain seasonally to hunt and gather resources. Today, those tribes continue to maintain a deep connection to the mountain.”

Tribes would go to the mountain to hunt, gather medicinal herbs and berries for food, and to find other resources. Even after the park was established in 1899, many local tribes still gathered at the mountain for hunting and gathering.

“We also know that, as early as 15,000 to 10,000 years ago, when Mount Rainier was largely draped in ice and permanent snowpack, people lived in the plains and valleys within its view,” the NPS website states. “Sometime between about 9,000 and 8,500 years ago the mountain’s mid-slope settings became free of permanent snowpack and developed plant and animal communities similar to modern subalpine parklands. From limited archaeological testing, (NPS) have learned that by 4,000 years ago, Indian people were hunting and gathering at places like Sunrise and other parks mid to upper elevation landscapes.”

In more recent archeological research, scientist discovered rock shelters on the mountain that contained remains of burned animals such as rabbits and coyotes, suggesting tribes lived on the mountain.

While the mountain was named Takhoma by the local tribes, the volcano was dubbed Mount Rainier after Rear Admiral Peter Rainier.

Rainier was a friend of Captain George Vancouver of the British Royal Navy, who observed the mountain while surveying the Pacific coast in 1792.

“Mountaineers made some of the first non-native incursions on land, eager to summit the iconic peak,” the NPS website states. “P.B. Van Trump and his friend General Hazard Stevens made the first recorded Page 16

climb of the mountain in 1870 and others would soon follow. In 1883 James Longmire, on his way down from summiting the mountain, found a mineral spring and opened a hotel and spa there not long after. The entrepreneurial spirit and scenic appreciation for the mountain that drove Longmire would emerge as key themes in the future development of Mount Rainier National Park.”

Mount Rainier National Park was established in 1899 with the help of multiple organizations. These groups lobbied to cities such as Tacoma and Seattle to help establish the importance of the mountain and its surrounding areas.

“Scientists, mountaineers, conservation groups, local businesses, and large railroad companies all saw some possible benefit from a national park around Mount Rainier,” the NPS website states. “They combined their often disparate interests into a lobbying campaign starting in 1893.”

One of the most renowned leaders in the movement to create Mount Rainier National Park was environmentalist and spiritualist John Muir.

Muir was born in Scotland but grew up on a farm in rural Michigan. His family was very religious and strict, according to an essay written by Tyler Williams for OARS.com, a company that advocates for the preservation of United State’s natural rivers and waterways.

Muir worked in Illinois until he was blinded during a machining accident. After recovering in the hospital he traveled all over the country and to Cuba before landing in San Francisco.

“He famously asked, ‘What’s the fastest way out of the city?’ He walked into Yosemite Valley for the first time in 1868, at the age of 30,” Williams states.

“Muir’s spirituality was finding its roots in nature, and there was perhaps no greater natural temple than Yosemite Valley. So he made his home here for the next decade.”

Muir became famous for his writing and made friends with societal leaders of the time, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Teddy Roosevelt.

Muir then started lobbying for legislation that would preserve some of the country’s natural beauty.

“In 1881, Muir collaborated on two congressional bills; one called for the protection of the southern Sierra sequoia groves, the other proposed expansion of Yosemite Park, which at that time was merely a tiny reserve centered around the sequoias of Mariposa Grove,” Williams wrote.

Muir was headed on a trip to Alaska when he was asked by a colleague to go to Mount Rainier. Muir was convinced to climb the mountain for decent pay, according to a transcribed essay written by Muir and dictated by the University of Washington.

“As I got to the top of the hill, on which the camp was located, I

Road to Rainier 2019/20

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looked back and saw such a view as I had never seen before,” Muir said in his essay. “Oh, if I had the power to describe it. At my feet was a bed of flowers such as I never thought could bloom, there were all colors and just below was an easy slope with scattering trees, not large or ragged, but about 50 to 100 feet high and looked as if they had the best of care and were trimmed to easy, graceful shape they have; they seemed to be in avenues and not planted by the winds of the mountains. All was fresh, so new, so clean. The grass was short, fresh and green. There were not any old tin cans, newspapers, etc. I never saw a city park so clean and so nice as that. On the next plateau below we saw a small lake, clear and still and throwing back a reflection of the trees and mountains beyond. On below was what is known as Paradise River; it runs through a valley of the same name and well is it named.”

After the park was formed attendance to the area boomed. After the National Park Service was established in 1916, significant changes came to Mount Rainier. A professional ranger force began to take on a greater role in managing the park, including starting interpretive programs in 1921, according to the NPS website.

“The Paradise Inn was opened in 1917 and plans to develop Sunrise were crafted throughout the 1920s,” the NPS website states. “Road construction reached its peak with all of the roads in the park being built or surveyed by 1930. These changes stimulated a larger debate that continues to this day over the degree certain areas should be developed or left as primitive wilderness.”

Since the mid-1960s, Mount Rainier has shown a great deal of consistency, the NPS website states.

“With the majority of the park’s infrastructure in place, the major change has been an increase in park use,” the NPS websites states.

Over 1.8 million people visited the park and many attempts to summit Mount Rainier have happened since the mid-1960s.

“A new visitor center in Paradise, built in 2008, also provides an expanded updated examination of the park’s resources. New funding for natural resource protection has led to a more concerted effort to understand the complex ecosystems of Mount Rainier and how they are impacted by human use. The Washington Wilderness Act of 1988 designated 98 percent of the park as wilderness, giving these lands greater protection against development,” the NPS website states.

So this year while traveling to visit the mountain, take time to reflect on the effort it took many past leaders to create the park locals love and cherish today.

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Road to Rainier 2019/20

Page 17

SO YOU WANT TO CLIMB Mount RAINIER?

By Heather Garland Operations Team International Mountain Guides I spend a lot of time talking about Mt. Rainier, its different routes, and what it takes to climb the mountain. Much of this knowledge I’ve acquired over time through my own personal experiences in the mountains, researching books, listening to lectures, and asking guides a lot of questions. For that last part, I am fortunate to have access to the some of the best guides in the history of Rainier and the history of American mountaineering.

As the Operations Manager for International Mountain Guides, I spend the entirety of the Rainier climbing season (May through September) ensuring all of the many moving pieces continuously fall into place. I am responsible for every little detail from selecting what gear to purchase to answering client emails to answering radio calls from the summit. The success of every trip is my top priority and I truly enjoy every aspect of my role. I also truly enjoy climbing.

So, what to do now that I’ve acquired all of this information At the base of Muir Snowfield (Heather Garland) and am lucky enough to spend my summer minutes from one of most sought after objectives in the Cascades? Climb it, of course! But which route…?

There is no easy answer to this question so we’ll start with the most common, the Camp Muir/DC Route. This climb begins at 5,400’ in the Paradise parking lot and ascends the Muir Snowfield to Camp Muir at approximately 10,100’. This is where most climbers (including IMG clients) spend their first night on the mountain. The route then crosses the Cowlitz Glacier and climbs through Cathedral Gap before exiting onto the Ingraham Glacier at around 11,000’. IMG’s guided climbs spend their second night on the mountain on the Ingraham Glacier at 11,200’ at the Ingraham Flats Camp. After an alpine start, the route either ascends the Ingraham Glacier directly to the summit or, once the crevasses are too wide to cross, it takes a more circuitous approach via the Disappointment Cleaver. Option 1.

Option 2 is the Emmons Glacier. This area of the mountain has an interesting history and I recommend researching the Osceola Lahar Page 18

(mudflow) that occurred 5,600 years ago. It’s responsible for shaping significant features such as Steamboat Prow where the Emmons and Winthrop Glaciers diverge. The approach for this climb begins at the White River Campground at approx. 4,200’ on the northeast side of the mountain and follows the Glacier Basin Trail to the base of the Inter Glacier at 6,800’. IMG teams ascend to 8,200’ before setting up camp for their first night. The following day involves a short move to Camp Schurman at 9,600’, just above Steamboat Prow. Summit day on the Emmons is a long affair. After an alpine start, teams moves up to 10,200’ where they traverse to a ridge of glacier snow known as the ‘Corridor’ and follow it to 11,600’. The rest of the climb to the 14, 410’ summit varies as the season progresses. As with the DC, the early season is more straightforward.

In addition to the DC and Emmons, IMG guides the Kautz, Fuhrer Finger, and Liberty Ridge. These routes increase in difficultly respectively and only elite climbers should even consider Liberty Ridge. And this brings me to the point where it’s time for me to stop talking and start climbing. Which route(s) will it be? Check back next summer!

In the interim, follow along with all of IMG’s climbs and treks around the world at: https://www.mountainguides.com/wordpress/ https://www.facebook.com/internationalmountainguides/ https://www.instagram.com/internationalmountainguides/ Guide services can offer one-day climbing instruction, two-day summit climbs, five- and six-day climbing seminars and private climbs.

Approved guide services include: Alpine Ascents International - Offers climbing around the world, including Mount Rainier. 206-378-1927.

International Mountain Guides - Known for their professional guide staff and for leading expeditions around the world. 360-569-2609. www.mountainguides.com.

Rainier Mountaineering- Experienced mountain guides specializing in mountain climbing training. 360-569-2227. www.rmiguides.com.

Reservations can also be made at Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford or by calling 360-569-2142 or 1-800-238-5756.

Switchbacks on the DC

Road to Rainier 2019/20

IMG Guide Mike Haft, leads a team up Fuhrer Finger

Road to Rainier 2019/20

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Plenty of fun for everyone at Mount Rainier

By DANIELLE CHASTAINE dispatcheditor@nwlink.com So the car is packed and the family is ready to go visit Mount Rainier, maybe for the first time or maybe for the 100th time. But what are you going to do when you get there?

Luckily for Western Washington residents and visitors, there is a large list of activities for all ages near the mountain. Try a few of these during the summer and even in the winter.

Visit Paradise for a hike and a picnic

A visit to Paradise on the east side of the mountain is a great way to spend a couple of hours or a whole summer’s day. At Paradise visitors will find the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center. The center offers a cafeteria, information, film showing, park ranger programs and more.

The historic Paradise Inn, which is usually open from mid-May to early October, is also located in this area, as is the Guide House, where climbers can obtain permits and hiking and backcountry camping information.

The 1.5-mile Sunrise Nature Trail starts from the Sunrise picnic area and is a self-guided loop tour that weaves through meadows with breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades along the way.

The 1-mile Sunrise Rim Trail leads to two overlooks of Emmons Glacier.

Sunrise is 60 miles northeast of the Nisqually Entrance and 14 miles northwest of the Sunrise/White River turnoff on State Route 410.

Access to Sunrise is included in park admission. For more information about services and attractions, visit the NPS website.

Learn more about the park at Longmire

What was originally James Longmire’s homestead and resort at Mineral Springs is now the park’s headquarters. Now the 1916 building is a museum dedicated to educating visitors and local students about the park and the active volcano that sits among the meadows.

There are several hiking trails within Longmire, including the Trail of the Shadows, a nearly one-mile loop trail that begins near the museum, takes you on an easy walk past the Longmire hot springs, through the surrounding forest and a replica of one of the park’s earliest homesteads.

Longmire, which is located in the southwest corner of the park, a little more than six miles east of the Nisqually Entrance, is open year-round.

Frolick through the wildflowers

For hikers and picnic packers, there is a large number of trails to choose from including the Nisqually Vista Trail, which loops around for awesome views of the mountain and the Nisqually Glacier.

Those who’d rather drive can take Paradise Valley Road from Paradise Inn and take a spring drive through meadows for amazing views, perfect for a photo shoot.

Access to Paradise is included in park admission. The area is located 19 miles east of the Nisqually Entrance and 12 miles east of Longmire.

For more information, visit the NPS website.

Witness spectacular views from Sunrise

Sunrise is a perch in Mount Rainier National Park that is accessible by hiking and cars which offers incredible views of Mount Rainier and other volcanoes in the Cascade Mountain region. Sunrise is the highest spot in the park reachable by cars.

There are a few hiking trails for those looking to exercise while possibly taking nature photos. Two of the most popular are the Sunrise Nature Trail and Sunrise Rim Trail.

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During peak wildflower season, the mountain is painted in a wide arrange of natural color. Due to unpredictable weather patterns, it’s hard for the National Park Service to pinpoint when peak blooming will happen, but on average the best time to see the mountain splayed with flowers is in late July through early August.

Hobby botanists and flower enthusiast, or nature photographers, can access a list of resources at the NPS Mount Rainier website, such as a guide to wildflowers, video and photo galleries, ecological resources and information about the different seasons around Mount Rainier.

Try your hand at fishing

Mount Rainier is lauded for many outdoor activities, but fishing is something only experience anglers seem to succeed at. But anyone is welcome to try.

“Only experienced anglers do well and then only during limited times of the season,” the NPS website states. “Rivers and streams are open from late-May or early-June through late-October, and most lakes are ice-free July through October.”

The park asks fishers to use barbless hooks and follow the states fishing regulations. The park’s lakes and rivers have not been stocked since the 1970s.

“However, at least 27 lakes still contain reproducing populations of introduced fish, including eastern brook trout, rainbow, and cutthroat stocks,” the NPS website states. “Salmon such as coho and chinook were historically present in park waters. However, fish passage is now blocked by dams on the Cowlitz, Nisqually, Puyallup, and White Rivers. Fish are Road to Rainier 2019/20

trucked around some of these dams. The Carbon River is the only major drainage in the park without constructed dams blocking fish passage.”

For more information about fishing, fish types, regulations and more visit the NPS website.

Tap into your inner Junior Ranger by finishing at Ranger Quest

The park now hosts fun events called Ranger Quests, which are designed for children 12 and up, and adults.

“However, these learning adventures can also be enjoyed by younger children with help from adults or older children,” the NPS website states. “Groups, families, or individuals completing four of the do-ityourself activities become ‘Mount Rainier Citizen Rangers’, and receive a certificate and patch.”

There are four quests groups can complete. Park visitors earn a certificate after completing their first quest and a special patch for completing all four quests. For a list of quests and directions visit https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/citizen-ranger.htm.

Mineral Lake Resort

• Boat Rentals • Dock Fishing • Cabin Rentals • RV Spaces • Boat Moorage

360-492-5367

Go camping for more time at the mountain

Can’t choose just one activity for the day? Visit a Mount Rainier campsite and spend a few days hiking, biking and exploring the area.

Mount Rainier National Park features many tent campsites for individuals and groups. Campgrounds are located nestled in wooded areas near rivers and scenic trails.

For a list of campgrounds and to reserve a spot, visit https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm.

Mineral, Washington

Stringtown Cellars & LAVENDER FARM • Wine Tasting Room & Lavender Gift Shop

Ride the roads on your bike

While no bicycles are allowed on hiking trails and Mount Rainier National Park has no dedicated bike trails, cyclists are allowed to ride around on the regular roads in the park.

“Federal regulation to ride single file. Bicyclists may ride two abreast only on Westside Road and Carbon River Road, where vehicles are not allowed. However, please be aware of hikers also using those roads,” the NPS website states.

Each year in July, Redmond Cycling Club sponsors the event RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day), where over 700 cyclists take a spin through the park. For more information about bike routes and RAMROD visit https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm.

www.minerallakeresort.com

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Lavender Products, Smoked Cheese & More Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 10am - 5pm Open daily - July 4th thru Labor Day U- cut Lavender: See website for availabilty

360-832-4743

www.stringtownfarms.com 39610 Eatonville Cut-Off Road • Eatonville

Roy Pioneer Rodeo Since 1960

ROY, WASHINGTON

JUNE 1st & JUNE 2nd Aug 31st & SEPT 1st L ABOR DAY WEEKEND

1:30 PM EACH DAY

Sunday June 2 & September 1 are FAMILY DAYS...

Lots of Activities & Fun for all Ages!

Get $1.00 off Admission with coupon - one per person

ADMISSION: Adults (13-60) $13.00, Adults (60+) $7.00, Children (6-12) $5.00, Children 5 & under Free

www.royrodeo.com Road to Rainier 2019/20

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Activities and Events Annual 3rd & 4th of July Celebration -

A fun event for the whole family in Eatonville. Vendors, food, fireworks and a parade.

Crystal Mountain Resort -

Hiking, horseback riding, dining at 6,872 feet, gondola rides and more. www.crystalmountainresort.com

Logger’s Jubilee -

77th Annual Logging Show in Morton with sawing, speed climbing, pole bucking, and much more is the second weekend in August (August 8-11, 2019) A parade, queen’s coronation, lawn mower races, bed races, and street dancing with live music. For a schedule of events go to www.loggersjubilee.com.

Meeker Mansion -

A historic year-round attraction, this 17-room Victorian mansion was home to the famous pioneer Ezra Meeker. Tours are offered, as well as numerous special events throughout the year. Located in Puyallup. www.meekermansion.org

Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum -

Take the ultimate time machine – ride the rails in an historic steam train through the Mount Rainier foothills. Let it take you back to old-time fun and memories. Special events are scheduled throughout the year, with frequent rides in the summer. Tour the Logging Museum in Mineral.

888-STEAM.11. www.MtRainierRailroad.com

Destination Packwood -

Complete resource for the Packwood area. Visitor’s center is located at 13011B Highway 12. 360-492-7365. www.DestinationPackwood.com

Eatonville Lions Arts Festival -

This annual event features over 100 artists and craftsmen, as well as live music and entertainment, a beer garden and with a delicious assortment of food. Starts on Friday, always on the first weekend in August 2-4 at Glacier View Park in Eatonville.

Hoot ‘N’ Howl -

Friday and Saturday, October 19-20. Bring your brood to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park for the annual Hoot ‘n’ Howl celebration. Navigate through the park and search for animals in the dark on the special night time tram tour. Revelers can play games, win prizes and eat treats during this wild weekend. www.nwtrek.org

Kids Trek -

A place for young children to have fun and possibly incubate a lifelong love of the outdoors. Newly opened in April of 2016, Kids’ Trek is a half-acre attraction at the wildlife park near Eatonville. A tree trunk for climbing, a tunnel slide and a stream to follow to a beaver pond are some of the child-oriented features. Open daily. 360-832-6117. www.nwtrek.org Page 22

Morton Roxy Playhouse -

A theatre in Morton offering summer stock plays within easy driving distance of Mount Rainier. Check out their gift shop. 360-496-0541. www.mortonroxy.org Road to Rainier 2019/20

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park -

Experience North American wildlife at this 615-acre wildlife park that has a little bit of everything – lakes, forests, trails, meadows and more than 200 animals, including moose, bison and elk that live in a freeroaming area. See the animals up close in comfortable trams while touring the free-roaming area, or walk on forested trails to view bears, cougars and wolves in the main exhibit area. Zip line challenge courses run through NW Trek’s breathtaking tree canopy. Near Eatonville. 360-832-6117, www.nwtrek.org

Northwest Trek Slug Fest -

June 22-23, Slug Fest reigns supreme as one of the zaniest weekends of the year at the wildlife park. www.nwtrek.org

Old Goat Farm -

100 year old farmhouse, barn, and nursery garden in Orting. 360-8931261. www.oldgoatfarm.com

Old McDebbies Farm/Jims U-Fish -

Wonderful family fun on the Road to Rainier, just off Hwy. 7. No license is required trout fishing, pony rides, petting zoo, game, nature trail and musical forest. www.oldmcdebbiesfarm.net or www.jimsufish.net

Packwood Flea Market -

Memorial Day and Labor Day, largest in the Northwest. www.packwoodfleamarket.com

Pioneer Farm Museum/Ohop Indian Village -

Escape to another century. Journey back to the 1880s with tour guides to experience homesteading in Washington. Then step back even further and experience the seasonal Ohop Indian Village. The hands-on activities educate while providing a fun time for children of all ages.

Near Eatonville. 360-832-6300. www.pioneerfarmmuseum.org

Join us for the 77th Annual Morton Loggers’ Jubilee 2019 IN HISTORIC MORTON, WASHINGTON THURSDAY 8/08

August 8th - August 11th 2019

• 64th Annual Queen Coronation at Morton High School 8pm

FRIDAY 8/09

• Hampton Mill Tours from 8am-1pm • Bake Sale, Salad Bar and Desserts at Morton Senior Center 9am-4pm • Lawnmower Races, Gates open at 430pm,Trials 630pm, Racing 730pm

All Weekend Events: 28th Annual Flea Market and Food Concessions

SATURDAY 08/10

• Lion’s Club Loggers’ Breakfast, Jubilee Park & Lion’s Hall 6am-noon • 10K RUN, Morton High School, Registration 7am, Run 8am • Bake Sale, Salad Bar and Desserts at Morton Senior Center 9am-4pm • Jubilee Championship Bed Races on Main Street 11am • JUBILEE GRAND PARADE on Main Street, 11:30am • JUBLIEE LOGGING SHOW at the Jubilee Arena 2pm, (Gates open at 12:30pm) • Uptown Street Dance in the Gas Plus Parking Lot 9pm-1am

JOIN IN ON THE FUN!

SUNDAY 8/11

• Lion’s Club Loggers’ Breakfast, Jubilee Park & Lion’s Hall 6am-noon • JUBLIEE LOGGING SHOW at the Jubilee Arena 2pm, (Gates open at 12:30pm)

Road to Rainier 2019/20

Visit our website for more information loggersjubilee.com Page 23

Puyallup Main Street -

Experience unique shops, excellent restaurants and a world-class farmers market on your way to the mountain. In Puyallup. www. puyallupmainstreet.com

Rod Knockers Show & Shine -

Scheduled for June and featuring as many as 300 custom and classic cars. In Eatonville. Check www.eatonvillechamber.com for details and more events.

Rods to Rainier -

In June, Classic car show. 360-569-2311. Takes place in the Ashford Community Park. www.rodstorainier.org

Trout Fishing Derby -

Saturday June 15th, 2019 at Rainbow R.V. Resort on Lake Tanwax. All ages welcome. Win some great prizes. www.rainbowresort.com

Washington Wine Express -

Saturday August 31st, Saturday September 14th and Saturday October 5th, 2019. Enjoy a train ride through forest sand foothills south of Mount Rainier. www.mtrainierrailroad.com

10th Annual Rainier Wine Festival -

July 6th, 2019. Great wines, live music and delicious food. Alpine Inn Crystal Mountain www.crystalhotels.com

Roxy Movie Theater -

An historic moviehouse with comfortable seats and first run movies.

Eatonville. 360-832-7699.

Roy Pioneer Rodeo -

A professional rodeo event in historic Roy with calf roping, bull riding, barrel racing and more. June 1st-2nd and September 2-3. Lots of activities and fun for all ages. 253-843-2242, www.royrodeo.com

Stringtown Cellars & Lavender Farm -

Gift shop, wine tasting room and U-cut lavender. Located just north of Eatonville. 360-832-4743, www.stringtownfarms.com

Tacoma Highland Games -

Annual family event held to educate the public about Scottish heritage, culture, and traditions. Features amateur competition in highland athletics, highland dance, piping, and drumming. Held at Frontier Park in Graham. June 22. www.tacomagames.org

Holly Hut Unique Gifts Yard Art Home Decor

“A Cottage Shop That Spills Into A Garden�

(360) 832-4747 129 Washington Avenue, Eatonville

Follow the Signs to...

American Antiques, Furniture, Garden Decor, Primitives, Estate/Appraisal Service

Founding Family Antiques on the Road to Rainier!

55 years - 5,000 Sq. feet 41918 Lynch Creek Road East Eatonville (360) 832-4611

Page 24

Road to Rainier 2019/20

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Galleries and Gifts Ashford Creek Pottery, Gallery & Art Museum -

A working pottery studio and retail gift shop featuring the work of Rick Johnson and Jana Gardiner as well as other local artists. Hand thrown pottery, paintings, woodwork, photographs, stained glass, books, and more. Free museum displaying the works of several nationally known Northwest artists. Six miles from the Nisqually entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park in Ashford. 360-569-1000 or 360-569-2933. www. ashfordcreekpottery.com

Dan Klennert’s Sculptures -

Spirits of Iron, Klennert’s studio located 3 miles east of Elbe on Highway 706 is an amazing four-acre sculpture park. The public is free to roam the grounds and browse the many creatively welded works of iron made from scrounged material and found metal scraps.

Founding Family Antiques -

Offers a wide selection of antiques, home decor, furniture and more from across the country. Find gifts, toys and collectibles in a 5,000 square foot space at 41918 Lynch Creek Road E. in Eatonville.

Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 360-832-4611. www. foundingfamilyantiques.com

Four Winds Studio & Art Gallery -

Originals, limited editions, and wall sculptures from local artist David W. Craig. Blown glass, knives, shaker boxes, cards, jewelry, scrimshaw art.

Eatonville. www.davidwcraig.com

Holly Hut -

Often described as “a fun cottage shop that spills into a garden,” the Holly Hut offers a shopping experience that is sure to delight you.

Charming shop located at 129 Washington Ave. in Eatonville.

360-832-4747.

Kirk’s Pharmacy -

More than a drug store, Kirk’s has Hallmark cards, unique gifts and collectibles, toys, seasonal items, snacks, disposable cameras, batteries, first aid supplies, sunscreen, souvenirs and a digital photo kiosk to develop pictures. Eatonville. 360-832-3121.

Lucas Art & Frame -

Located at the top of Graham Hill with a beautiful view of Mount Rainier, this gallery features Northwest artists, photography, jewelry, wood carving. Graham. 253-847-0858, www.lucasart.com

Stringtown Cellars & Lavender Farm -

Unique Ashford Art Museum

Jana Gardiner and Rick Johnson have been in the art business since 1980. They spent the first 25 years specializing in pottery and then opened the gallery on Hwy 706 in Ashford. The gallery features Northwest artists, including Dee Molenaar, a local Mt. Rainier painter and historian, now 98; still painting and sharing his memories. Rick’s passion for history grew with Dee’s stories of the old days. He dedicated a corner of the gallery to local history with photos and a collection of over 500 Mt. Rainier postcards.

Also, sharing the love of Northwest history is Rick’s friend, photographer, Mary Randlett. Mary photographed scores of Northwest artists as far back as 1949, beginning with Mark Tobey and Morris Graves. Thus, the idea of a NW art museum was born, which features several of the artists she photographed.

The museum collection has Mt. Rainier history as well as a special connection to the local Japanese American population that were interned in 1941, first at Camp Harmony (Puyallup Fairgrounds), then in the Minidoka “relocation camp” near Twin Falls, Idaho. The museum has over 150 works on display and is free to the public.

Gift shop, wine tasting room, U-Cut lavender, and lavender products available year-round. Open daily, July through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 39610 Eatonville Cut-off Road, Eatonville. 360-832-4743, see website for details. www.stringtownfarms.com

Old Main Street Antiques -

Visit a truly unique treasure hunters paradise. Antiques and vintage items right on Highway 7 on your way to Mount Rainier from Tacoma.

253-536-3241. Go to facebook/OldMainStreetAntiqueMall.

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Goods and Services Ashford Valley Grocery -

A wide range of groceries and food to go. Get propane. Also last stop for gas before the park. Ashford. 360-569-2560.

Ashford General Store -

A real general store since 1905. Pick up supplies and grocery items in Ashford. 360-569-2377.

Barney’s Corner Mini-Mart -

A convenience store wiwth a 24 hour fueling station, hot/cold deli, camping essentials, snacks, beer, ice and groceries to go. Kelly’s Coffee Espresso is out back. Just North of Eatonville at 40512 Meridian E. 360832-8822.

Double T Meats -

Plaza

A pop center

Eatonville Veterinary Clinic -

Your furry friends are welcome at Eatonville Vet Clinic. Located in Eatonville on the Road to Rainier. Call the office to schedule an appointment or for an emergency. Let Dr. Best and his staff give your pet the TLC they deserve. 104 Larson St. E., Eatonville, WA 98328.

360-832-6195.

Take a wonde by air off M www.

International Mountain Guides -

Climbing the world’s great mountains! Making The Mountain accessible to all who wish to climb with a guide and learn proper climbing techniques from the best instructors and guides. From three-day summit climbs to six-day Glacier Skills Seminars, choose a program that will suit your preferences and time frame. Ashford. www. mountainguides.com, 360-569-2609.

“Grab and go” snacks for your trip. Double T Meats, a local favorite, is family-owned and operated. Delicious beef jerky, pepperoni, summer sausage, smoked cheese, fresh beef, pork, and assorted smoked meats.

Located at 102 Center St. W., across from the post office in Eatonville.

360-832-1088.

Kirk’s Pharmacy -

Eatonville Liquor and Wine -

Mount Rainier Guest Services-

Large selection of spirits, wine, beer and mixers and gifts. Located at their new location at 109 Center Street in Eatonville. 360-832-3521. www.eatonvilleliquorandwine.com

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More than a drug store, Kirk’s has Hallmark cards, gifts, toys, seasonal items, snacks, disposable cameras, batteries, first aid supplies, sunscreen, souvenirs and a digital photo kiosk to develop pictures. Full service pharmacy. 104 Mashell Ave. N. in Eatonville. 360-832-3121.

Operates lodging, dining, and retail services in the Paradise Inn, National Park Inn, Jackson Visitor Center and Sunrise Day Lodge in Mount Rainier National Park. www.MtRainierGuestServices.com 855-755-2275.

Mountain Community Co-op -

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Shop the co-op.This natural-foods grocery store carries a wide variety of healthy trail snacks and and gift items, as well as staples for your kitchen and home. Eatonville. 360-832-2667. www.mountaincommunitycoop.coop

Parici Designs -

Souvenirs, unique designs, T-shirts & Apparel and more. Check it out at etsy.com/shop/PariciBoutique. 206-552-6811.

Forgot Something?

We have it ALL!

Kirk’s Pharmacy is your last and best stop for all mountain tourist and sightseeing needs!

104 Mashell Ave N, Eatonville (360) 832-3121 Page 26

Pioneer Farm Pioneer FarmMuseum Museum Escape to another century...in Ohop Farm Valley Pioneer

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Pioneer Farm Museum Museum Ohop

Ohop Indian Village Indian Village NATIVE AMERICAN SEASONS TOUR

PIONEER FARM TOUR Hands-on guided tour of living in the 1800’s.

Milk a cow, churn butter, jump in the hay!

See how each season brought new tasks for area Native Americans. Public Tours – Summers only

Ohop 360 Ohop Indian Village 109 Indian Village Road to Rainier

Price: Adults $10.50, Children & Seniors $9.50 Price: Adults $11.00, Children & Seniors $10.00 Seasonal - Friday, Saturday and Sundays Only Seasonal - Call for Open Times

(360) 832-6300

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Spencer Aircraft/Safety In Motion -

Take a scenic flight around Mt. Rainier at Safety in Motion. What a wonderful experience to see the beautiful mountain and surroundings by air with experienced pilots. Located at Thun Field in Puyallup right off Meridian Avenue. 16911 103rd. Ave., Puyallup. 253-840-5758 www.simflightcenter.com

On the Road to Mount Rainier 5 miles from the Nisqually Entrance

Pottery, Paintings, Wood, Metal, Glass, Photography, Prints, Bookstore, Northwest Art Museum - History

Eatonville Veterinary Clinic

Open Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri. 8am - 5pm Dr. Robert Best Thursday 8am - 12 noon Closed Sat. & Sun. (360) 832-6195

Welcome Pets

104 Larson St. E., Eatonville At the corner of Washington Ave. S. & Larson St. E.

‘Last stop for liquor on your trip to Rainier’

www.ashfordcreekgallery.com 30510 SR 706 E., Ashford, WA 98304 360-569-1000

Double T

Meats

Family Owned & Operated

We have “grab and go” snacks for your trip to Mt. Rainier

• Spirits • Wine • • Beer • Ice • • Gifts • Like us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/eatonvilleliquorandwine

Ohop 360-832-3521 Indian Village 109 Center Street, Eatonville, WA 98328 lage Road to Rainier

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A popular and well-stocked, full-service market and deli located in the center of Eatonville. Where the locals shop! 360-832-6151.

Mashell Ave N

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Plaza Market -

$9.50

8328

2019/20

Fresh beef, pork, chicken and assorted smoked meats

360-832-1088

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PEPPERONI 7 VARIETIES

102 Center St. W., Eatonville (across from Post Office) Page 27

Places to Stay near the Mountain

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Crest Trail Lodge -

Camp Lakeview -

300 peaceful wooded acres with RV and tent camping; cottages, too.

Family-oriented; Swimming, fishing, boating, located in Graham. 360879-5426, www.camplakeview-wa.com

Rodeway Inn -

Take a well-earned rest at the Cedars Inn on your way to the mountain.

Heated outdoor seasonal swimming pool. On-site laundry and parking for RVs. Kitchens available or take advantage of the adjacent restaurant, lounge and casino. Enumclaw. 360-825-1626, 888-886-5118. www.cedarsinnenumclaw.com

Cowlitz River Lodge -

“A Home Away from Home” located in the heart of Volcano Country, one mile west of Packwood on U.S. Highway 12 between mile markers 129 and 130. Conveniently located at the gateways to Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, White Pass Ski Area, Mount Adams, Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Goat Rocks Wilderness. One or two queen beds, WiFi, handicapped rooms, cable TV, refrigerator and wake up calls available. 1-800-477-5339, www.hclodging.com

Henley’s Silver Lake Resort -

Located 6 miles from Eatonville, Washington. Cabins, Small spring fed lake that hosts a variety of fish. 360-832-3580 www.henleyssilverlakeresort.com

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Crystal Mountain Resort -

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Hide away at any of the beautiful Crystal Mountain accommodations.

Alta Crystal Resort: 360-663-2500. Reservations @AltaCrystalResort. com Silver Skis Chalet: 360-663-2558. Reservations@SilverSkisChalet. com or one of three properties Crystal Mountain Hotels: 360-663-2261 or 1-888-SKI-6400. Reservations@CrystalHotels.com

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Hobo Inn -

Family-owned and operated since 1985, this unique railcar lodging experience offers fully air conditioned cabooses, complete with sinks, toilets, showers and electricity. Jacuzzi available. Located 15 miles from the park entrance, in Elbe. 888-569-2500.

Mill Village Motel -

Conveniently located, 32 unit motel, AAA-rated with continental breakfast daily. Amenities include blow dryers, coffee pots, refrigerators, microwaves, cable TV, and WiFi in every room. In the center of Eatonville. 800- 832-3248, 360-832-3200. www.hclodging.com

Mineral Lake Resort -

Cabin Rental at Mineral Lake, the Resort offers a host of amenities: Dock Fishing, Cabins, RV Spaces, Boat Moorage, and Boat Rentals, www.minerallakeresort.com

Located in the City of Enumclaw the “Gateway to Mount Rainier National Park”

National Park Inn at Longmire -

We are adjacent to the King County Fairgrounds, Near MuckleShoot Casino, White River Amphitheater, and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.

Located in the foothills.

Built in 1917, renovated in 1990, the inn has 25 cozy rooms. Mt. Rainier National Park. 360-569-2275.

Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier -

Enjoy a stay in this recently remodeled historical inn along with a visit to the new visitor’s center. Enjoy the mountain trails, the great room or fine dining. www.rainier.guestservices.com

• • • • •

1334 Roosevelt Ave. E. (Hwy 410 E.) - Enumclaw, WA Reservations available by phone or online!!

Heated Outdoor Seasonal Swimming Pool Local: 360-825-1626 On-site Laundry Room & In-room coffee Toll Free: 1-888-886-5118 On-site parking for RV’s or Online: www.Rodewayinnenumclaw.com Kitchens Available Restaurant & Lounge Adjacent Your Home Away From Home!

Nisqually Lodge -

Near the Paradise entrance, the lodge offers large rooms with private baths, AC, satellite TV, telephones and a 60-person conference center.

Hot tub, laundry facilities and continental breakfast. Ashford 360-5698804 or 1-888-674-3554. www.hclodging.com

Rainbow RV Resort -

Live on the Lake. Daily, weekly, monthly rates. RV and tent space rental.

Excellent fishing, boat rentals. A clean, quiet resort. Free cable and WiFi. Eatonville. 360-879-5115. www.rainbowrvresort.com

Seasons Motel -

A convenient place to stop in Morton on your way to Mount Rainier from Packwood or I-5 or on your way to Mount Saint Helens. It offers 49 comfortable rooms and access to an historical logging town with numerous restaurants and shopping. Morton. 360-496-6835 or 877496-6835. www.hclodging.com

Wellspring Spa -

The northwest’s secret sanctuary. Featuring cozy log cabins, wood-fired saunas, priviate outdoor hot tuvs, massage therapy and a meditation trail. Wellspring’s peaceful setting will restore your body and soul.

Available for romantic retreats, gatherings or weddings. Located in Ashford. 360-569-2514. www.wellspringspa.com

Road to Rainier 2019/20

info@wellspringspa.com

Page 29

RV Camping Henley’s Silver Lake Resort -

Located 6 miles from Eatonville, Washington. Based at the foot of Mt. Rainier, about 20 miles west. Cabins, camping, RV sites, dock fishing, and boat launch. Small spring fed lake that hosts a variety of fish including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, perch, crappies, catfish, and blue gill. Silver Lake raises and feed approximately 30,000 rainbows in pens throughout the winter as part of the Washington State Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Project.

360-832-3580 www.henleyssilverlakeresort.com

Camp Lakeview -

“Relax on Tanwax!” Camp Lakeview is situated on 300 peaceful wooded acres on the norh shore of beautiful Tanwax Lake in Graham and open year-round. Facilities include Cedar Lodge, a Chapel, and five cabins located just a short stroll away from the Lakeside Place Family Campground. Camp Lakeview offers a wide range of outdoor activities including RV and tent camping, cottages, picnics, retreats, swimming, volleyball, basketball, wooded trails, fishing, and boating. Tanwax Lake is open year-round for fishing. Family-oriented; no alcohol. Graham, 360879-5426, www.camplakeview-wa.com

Mineral Lake Resort -

In the shadows of Mt. Rainier the resort offers boat rentals, dock fishing, cabins, RV spaces, boat moorage, and a tackle, bait, snack shop. The view of the mountain and lake are breathtaking. Designated swimming spot and a small water ski area. Great trout fishing! Short driving distance to Mt. Rainier National Park, Mt. St. Helens, Pioneer farm, and the Mt.Rainier Railroad in Elbe. 360-492-5367 www.minerallakeresort.com

Rainbow RV Resort -

Live on the lake. Daily, weekly, monthly rates. RV and tent space rental.

Dock fishing, boat rentals, fishing tackle, live bait, store, barbecue facilities, cafe, laundry and showers, full and partial hookups, and a hall space available for rent complete with kitchen. Excellent fishing.

A clean, quiet resort. Free cable and WiFi. Fishing derby on June 20th.

Eatonville. 360-879-5115, www.rainbowrvresort.com

Camp Lakeview

RELAX ON TANWAX

300 Peaceful Wooded Acres

RV & Tent Camping - Cottages - Picnics Retreats - Fishing - Swimming - Trails - Boating Family Oriented - No Alcohol

32919 Benbow Dr. E., Graham, WA 98338 Page 30

From Highway 161 (Meridian) take 304th St. E. turn right on 144th Ave. E. follow signs to Camp Lakeview.

360-879-5426 www.camplakeview-wa.com

15, 2019

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Mt. Rainier Gondola At Crystal Mountain Resort Crystal Mountain Resort is best known as a skiers paradise, but it’s more than just that. It’s memories waiting to be created. It’s family hikes, horseback rides, and never-ending photo opportunities. It’s scenic gondola rides and a gourmet lunch or dinner at what feels like the top of the world. It’s Mt. Rainier bigger and more beautiful than you’ve ever seen it.

Crystal Mountain Resort is located just 6 miles from the Northeast entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. Keep the mountain magic going and stay the night. Conveniently located hotels, condos and cabins make for a perfect relaxing or adventurous getaway. Visit website for schedule and hours.

Let’s connect: CrystalMountainResort.com | Facebook.com/CrystalMountainWashington Page 32

Road to Rainier 2019/20