On July 1, 2021 we did a day trip from Lynnwood, WA to climb Mt. Tahoma, (the indigenous name for Mt. Rainier.) We did the roughly 5 mile Skyline Loop trail, cutting back on the Golden Gate trail to save some time. It took us about 5 hours roundtrip, reaching our highest point at Paradise at about 7,000 ft. While strenuous (it’s just a constant uphill slog, gaining 1,600 ft. Elevation, and the rating is difficult), the views and colors at that altitude were just exquisite. We ran out of water and didn’t have the best hiking shoes, but around every switchback was a breathtaking vista, including a few furry marmots and a black bear to boot. Throughout the journey we had clear views of the Nisqually glacier and river, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and the Cascade range. The wildflowers were out in full force, cornflowers, paintbrushes, daisies. Though we’ve lived in or visited Washington for the last 19 years, this was a first, and we couldn’t believe we took so long to enjoy our own local National Park. There are many more trails for us to go back and explore someday.