This post is meant for fun and satire. While the Skyline Trail is amazing, we exaggerated the fog and our misadventures for comedic effect. Here is a link if you’re looking for a serious Mount Rainier Travel Guide.
Mount Rainier is the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest, rising 14,410 feet and claiming the Washington skyline as its own. On foggy days, visitors can wade through a cloud in search of meadows that may or may not exist, attempt the Skyline Trail and see absolutely nothing, or simply stand in contemplative awe wondering where the famous views went. In late summer, the wildflowers bloom but on foggy days they prefer to stay hidden. If you are seeking every shade of gray imaginable for your photography portfolio, Mount Rainier is an essential stop.
Experiencing Mount Rainier in the Fog
We stayed about a mile from the park entrance and, since we only had one day in mid-August, set our alarm for 5:30 am to conquer the mountain before the crowds or at least to see something other than clouds. Our plan was simple: get to Paradise early and hike the Skyline Trail, hoping the fog would let us catch a glimpse of Washington’s Mount Rainier itself.
We arrived around 6:30 am and were immediately impressed by the dedication of other early risers. Parking was already filling up, as if everyone had received the same fog forecast memo. Even more impressive was the weather. The mountain had a thick blanket of fog sitting on top of it. We sat in the car for 90 minutes, shivering, sipping coffee, and practicing deep meditation while staring at a wall of gray. Spoiler alert: the fog won.
Since retreat was not an option for mere mortals with limited vacation days, we decided to hike through the mist, pretending that somewhere behind the fog a majestic peak awaited. Every step was a thrilling exercise in imagination because seeing the mountain was optional.
Skyline Trail Adventures
Here we set off to hit the trail and couldn’t wait for our adventure. We loved the view of the valley, though it was impossible to tell how deep it was since it was completely filled with fog. Every direction was gray, making it feel like we were hiking inside a cloud.
Myrtle Falls
While Myrtle Falls was partially visible, a thin layer of fog still obscured the view. We enjoyed what we could see and even more the soothing sound of water cascading in the background.
Glacier Viewing Area
We saw a sign for Glacier View Point, an offshoot from the Skyline Trail. Hoping for a glimpse of something other than gray, we decided to take it. We hiked straight into the abyss of fog, full of optimism.
As we kept going, the fog only got thicker, until it felt like we were walking inside a cloud with no exit. After about half a mile on the trail, we started to wonder if the fog might just swallow us whole, so we wisely decided it was time to turn around before needing an emergency airlift off the mountain.
Since there was no glacier to be seen we headed back to the Skyline Trail so we could make it to Panorama Point.
Panorama Point
We finally made it to Panorama Point and could see absolutely nothing. The fog was thicker than a Dairy Queen Blizzard, leaving us to admire, well, more fog. It was the kind of view that really makes you appreciate your imagination. A hiking rescue crew that patrols the trail every day assured us that the view was right there. We just needed to believe and use our imagination.
The Foggy Descent
Continuing on the Skyline Trail as we were descending back to Paradise, we finally started to get a sneak peek of the valley. You could actually see the grass poking through along with the remaining clouds, which felt like a major victory after a day of hiking through pure gray.
Saying Goodbye to the Gray
Mount Rainier really decided to hold back the views and give us a good dose of fog. The Skyline Trail turned into a hike through a cloud, where we pretended waterfalls, mountain views, and glaciers were just out of sight. We didn’t get the classic scenery, but we did get a day full of gray, a good workout, and a story that’s way funnier in hindsight. If you like fog, mystery, and using your imagination, Mount Rainier will not disappoint.