Set between the jagged Olympic Mountains and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range, Mt Rainier an active volcano encased in snow and ice is the tallest peak of them all, standing 14,410 feet (4,392 meters) above sea level.
After your downtown Seattle hotel pickup, youre driven about two hours to Mt Rainier by Mercedes minivan or luxury SUV. Admire the surrounding old-growth forest, lakes, waterfalls and stunning wildflower meadows, and enjoy French-pressed Seattle coffee and pastries before setting out on your walk.
Depending on the season, your naturalist guide leads your group on a short walk or snowshoe trek (weather permitting)along the Nisqually Vista Trail, or possibly something a little more challenging if your group is up for it. Binoculars are provided to help you spot birds and wildlife like marmots, elk, deer, fox and maybe even the coyotes and black bears that roam the mountainside. Throughout the day, you'll make plenty of stops for photo ops and provided light snacks.
Your full-day Mt Rainier tour includes a family-style picnic lunch of locally sourced, organic food, accompanied by regional wine; if the weather isn't suitable for outdoor dining, you'll eat inside the visitor center.
After the 2-hour drive back to Seattle, your tour ends with downtown Seattle hotel drop-off.
Picnic lunch sample menu:
- Meat, such as grilled salmon or chicken, a sandwich or a wrap (vegetarian option available)
- Grain salad, such as quinoa with roasted vegetables
- Green salad
- Local wine, Pellegrino mineral water and soda
