See the Milky Way over Mt. Rainier

Ashford, WA
4.8
5 Reviews
See the Milky Way over Mt. Rainier
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Details

Distance
2.52 miles
Elevation Gain
322 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Family Friendly
Easy Parking
Dog Friendly
Scenic
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About this place

Added by Michael Matti

See and photograph the Milky Way over Mount Rainier. The best spot to get these photos is a short hike from the parking area. Be sure to check weather reports before heading out. Duration: A few hours.

The Milky Way and Mount Rainier is a beautiful combination. In order to get a photo of the Milky Way over Mount Rainier you need to be in the right spot at the right time of year. The spot seen in the photographs is a great spot in that it isn't too far of a hike and provides an unobstructed view of the mountain and the milky way. To reach the spot, park at the Sunrise Visitor Center in Mt. Rainier NP and hike up the Sourdough Ridge Trail towards Frozen Lake. You only need to hike about a mile on the trail and then scamper up the small ridge on the left of the trail to get the view needed for the shot.

Be sure to check weather conditions as there needs to be a clear sky in order to see the stars. As far as time of year, the Milky Way is best seen in the summer months, but late spring or early fall will work as well.

Location of Trailhead: 46.915788, -121.643709

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Jennifer Carr
10/6/2020
An absolutely spectacular view of the Milky Way!
Easily seen from the Sunrise Visitor's Center parking lot, even if you aren't photographing it, this is a must see for your visit to ...
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Kirsten Clark
10/6/2017
Treasured
My dad and I did this together. Or if my favorite father daughter things we’ve ever done.
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Jhamil Bader
9/2/2016
Watch out for Clouds!
We went around the first of August, got to sunrise late and had to scramble up the hillside to find our friends who got ...
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Jon Perkins
3/21/2016
Time of day?
Michael, I love your post on this. I've been on a hunt for some excellent Milky Way shots and Mt. Rainer is my goal ...
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Eric Bomblatus
8/13/2015
Went a couple nights ago to watch the Perseid meteor shower. We camped nearby and hiked out to the ridge for a few hours. ...
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