Urban Pros Mt Rainier Weekend

Time for our third annual camping trip at Mt. Rainier! This trip is once again hosted by the Seattle Church of Christ. We welcome brothers, sisters and friends from the NW family of churches.

Registration through eventbrite is coming....

Mt. Rainier is tallest (14,411') mountain in Washington and one of the 3 national parks in our state. The mountain offers spectacular views and lots of trails and sights to see.

---Camping---
Staying at Cougar Rock Sites F003, F004 and F005 (booked!) meals included $40 or $20 if you will take care of your own food. The sites are in the back 'Group' section. Only F003 is booked sunday night for those staying an extra day.

Lodging is available
http://www.mtrainierguestservices.com/
Paradise Inn and National Park Inn (Longmire) are in the park and are very nice lodges per night rates start at ~$120. There are other lodging places nearby outside the park.

What to Bring (campers)
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, outdoors clothes, rain gear, hiking boots

Cars
$15 per CAR to get in the park

---Activities---
Hiking:
10 mile round trip hike up to Camp Muir
6 mile loop hike in the paradise area
2.5 mile RT Bench and Snow Lakes trail

---Schedule---
- TBD (but similar to last year)


---Directions---
point your GPS towards Paradise WA or exactly to 46.76722, -121.79444 (46°46'2"N, 121°47'40"W) to the campsite.

When coming from Seattle, BC, Portland, Tacoma pass Ashford WA stay on the main road into the park, Cougar Rock is about 30 minutes in on the left after you pass Longmire.

If coming from Spokane, Idaho, montana make sure you take stevens canyon road, you'll pass under the Paradise loop on the way to cougar rock CG.

--Parking---
We are only allowed 5 cars at each campground if the spots are full please drop you stuff off and park your car in the picnic area on the other side of the road from the campground entrance.

---Activities Detail---
Camp Muir Hike:
Hike up to Mt. Rainiers most popular mountaineering base camp 'Camp Muir'. This hike involves 4500 feet of elevation gain ending at 10,000 feet above sea level. On the way back enjoy glasading down the snow in long troughs made by prior hikers. At least half of the sojourn is on the muir permanent snow field. Be at the Paradise parking lot at 10am ready for a full day in Gods great country. Required gear: a camelback or large water bottle, snack food, hiking boots that can handle the snow, sunglasses, sunblock, and warm clothes for the top. Optional gear: gaiters, GPS, Skiis/snowboard, hiking poles, sled, garbage bag to slide on. This is a challenging hike and requires good fitness and health. Do not consider this if you have never been on a steep/challenging hike.

The Paradise Hike:
This loop trail that takes you around the amazing paradise meadows area. Follow the skyline trail for a total of 5.4 miles and 1700 feet elevation gain topping out at Panorama Point at 7,100 feet. Essentials: Food, water, hiking boots, and warm clothes for the top. If the snow is cleared you may be lucky enough to see the long flowing flowering meadows and pristine garden like beauty of paradise. Also DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS... no matter how cute they are...

Bench and Snow Lakes trail:
Ok this one is 2.5 miles (for real this time) and mostly flat (easier than comet falls from last year;) The trail passes bench lake on the way to snow lake. Bring a swimsuit if you want to cool off... I did

---Misc (FAQ)---
Alcohol: We will have a dry campground to be sensitive to people's needs. There are restaurants/cafes on the mountain just keep it out of our sites;)

Showers: sorry no showers at this site, some lakes can be jumped into for some refreshment...

Phones: Cell reception is non-existent, there is a
payphone by the campground entrance

Cooking Equipment: Yes you can use the cookling equipment, plates, etc... so long as it doesn't interfere with the main (paid) meal preparation