MORE MOUNT RAINIER FACILITIES OPENING IN TIME FOR JULY 4TH HOLIDAY - SUNRISE AREA TO OPEN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

-Authored by NPS-
Mount Rainier Superintendent Randy King advises that the Sunrise Road and the Sunrise Day Lodge will be opeA. The recent warm spring weather in the northwest has assisted with the snowmelt and allowed the park staff to open earlier than scheduled.

Sunrise sits at 6,400’ on the eastern flanks of Mount Rainier. It is the highest point in the park that can be reached by vehicle and is closed from late October until early July due to snow. Paradise, on the southern side of Mount Rainier sits at 5,400’ and has recorded 744”of snowfall during the measurement period so far this year. The snowfall measurement period is from July 1 – June 30. Approximately 3-4 feet of snow is on the ground in the Sunrise area.

Other openings include:

• Cougar Rock Campground. Thursday, June 27
• White River Campground. Friday, June 28        
• Mowich Lake Road is opening Wednesday, July 3 - parking lot clear; approximately 3 feet of snow remains - lake is still frozen, but melting out; trail route finding necessary
• Narada Falls Trail. Open – may close intermittently for construction zone safety

Other areas in the park that are open include Ohanapecosh, Paradise, Longmire and Carbon River. Numerous businesses in the gateway communities surrounding the park are open for business and ready for the summer visitor season.

For park information or current updates visit the Mount Rainier web page at www.nps.gov/mora. Recorded park information is available by calling 360-569-2211.