Cupped between the jagged Olympic Mountains to the west and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range to the east we head for the tallest peak of them all, Mount Rainier, standing at 14,411 feet. This escape offers ample opportunities for adventure, exploration, learning, and just plain having fun! The "mountain" is an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice, surrounded by old growth forest and stunning wildflower meadows. Old and new growth forests, lakes, waterfalls and river valleys connected to Glaciers are just a few of the sights we will see. We will take out the binoculars and spot for birds and wildlife, marmots, coyotes, elk, deer, fox and black bear roam the mountainside. Your naturalist mountain guide will lead you out on a short hike or snowshoe along the Nisqually Vista trail or possibly something a little more challenging. Remember to take a photo, but also make sure to take a deep breath of fresh alpine air, bask in the moment and soak up the dramatic scenery. We will end our escape by descending down the road to where the parks roots began in Longmire. Keep your eyes peeled for deer in the meadows making their late afternoon journey to the rivers edge.

Activities: Hiking and/or snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, wine tasting, ecological & geological sightseeing with naturalist interpretation, forest ecology, glaciology, botany, natural & local history, “off the beaten path” exploration.