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I'm in the early stages of planning an overnight trip from Kitsap County, Wash., to Mt. Rainier sometime at the end of April. The plan right now is to have 5-9 riders leave Kitsap County on a Saturday morning, ride the 2hr/90mi to some sort of nearby lodging, then leave Sunday midday.
Would you all recommend trying to find a cabin (on a website like Expedia, or any number of the similar hotel search websites that exist), staying at a motel (that is safe & motorcycle friendly), or finding a large AirBnB in the area?
The best view I have had of Mt Rainer is heading West on 12, and it is between White Pass ski hill and hwy 123 which takes you into the park...... as long as the mountain is not shrouded, it makes for a great picture... best taken in the morning with the sun behind you.
I have been up in the parking lot in the middle of the summer and it was snowing. I don't know what time of year the upper road opens.
But man oh man, when the clouds are not there, the view is spectacular.
There's lots of cabins for rent on 410. Greenwater has most of the cabins. Mount Rainier Vacation Rentals always have some rentals. Depending on where you're coming from, 410 will join up with 12. Its a gorgeous ride as I've been on that road dozens of times. Just before you get to Packwood, you can hang a right on 123 and that will take you into the park.
You can refuel in Packwood and then after you leave Packwood, if you have time, head to Randle, at Randle, turn left on 131, which takes you to the backside of Mt Saint Helen's. Along the road are several areas to stop and take pictures. I included one below. When you're on 131 watch out for dips in the road....they sneak up on you and you can bottom out if you're not careful. After you get to Hiway 90, turn right and that will take you to 503, then on to I5 at Woodland. Don't forget to stop by Ape Caves. Really cool lava caves to cool off in. Bring good flashlights because it is dark in the caves without them.
If you don't take the deter on 131, keep going on 12 and at Morton, turn right on 7, which takes you to Elbe. You can stop for a beer and some food at the Elbe Tavern just over the bridge or continue around to the left to Scaleburgers....great food there. If you turn right after the bridge, that takes you to Paradise. There's some places to stay along there but I've never stayed in them so I can't recommend anything. I loved riding in that area but my company moved me to SoCal...not as much cool scenery here. Good luck and have fun....
Whoa! Good stuff! Thanks for sharing those photos. I talked it over with my club & we've come to the conclusion that a cheap(er) motel would be the best option. Rooms with two beds can be had for less than $90/ea, before us calling & asking about group/mil discounts. With a lot of the AirBnBs I've found, a security deposit & cleaning fees really jack the price up. I'll look into Mount Rainier Vacation Rentals, though!
Whoa! Good stuff! Thanks for sharing those photos. I talked it over with my club & we've come to the conclusion that a cheap(er) motel would be the best option. Rooms with two beds can be had for less than $90/ea, before us calling & asking about group/mil discounts. With a lot of the AirBnBs I've found, a security deposit & cleaning fees really jack the price up. I'll look into Mount Rainier Vacation Rentals, though!
I'm really jealous though....I had a friend who was raised in the area and he would take me to all kinds of places up there. One place I love going to was Carbonado...take Wa 165 from Buckley...the Fairfax Bridge (see pic) crosses the Carbon River...which is the drain for the Carbon Glacier. Really cool riding.....good luck.
With the weather we have been having this year (I'm in Portland), the roads may be clear but you may not see much with the 18+ feet of snow they currently have. Not much is going to melt in the next 6 weeks. With luck, it should be warmer.
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Overnight @ Mt. Rainier
