Wife and I are planning a 10 year anniversary trip and I think we've landed on Mt Rainier and Cascades NPs. Mid July.

We have 3 little kids under 8 and rarely get breaks so want to mix in some adventure but also downtime. Here's what I have so far, critique or suggest away

• Day 1
  
• Fly into to Seattle or Portland
  
• Rent car, grab groceries, etc. Head to Airbnb in Packwood or Ashford (up for debate). Seems to be about 2.5 hrs.
  
• Grab dinner, maybe a short close hike
  

• Day 2
  
• Drive to the Paradise Area (45 mins or so) for some hiking. Maybe the Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls, etc.
  
• Picnic lunch somewhere
  
• Stop and check out Reflection Lakes on the way back
  
• Hang out at the cabin, maybe grab dinner in Packwood
  

• Day 3
  
• Drive to the Silver Falls trail for hiking (30 mins or so)
  
• Picnic lunch somewhere
  
• Stop and check out Palisades Viewpoint on the way back
  
• Hang out at the cabin, maybe grab dinner in Packwood
  

• Day 4
  
• Drive to airbnb cabin near Rockport, WA. (about 4.15 hrs). Grab lunch, maybe in Seattle along the way
  

• Day 5
  
• Want to do some fly fishing, maybe on the Skagit? Trying to pinpoint a guide, could use some help. Ideally a place that allows for keepers and pipe dream of being able to ship home.
  

• Day 6
  
• Drive to Diablo Lake Overlook and Washington Pass Overlook. Maybe do some Kayaking at Diablo Lake.
  
• Hike something near Diablo Lake, or the Rainy Lake Trail or the Cascade Pass Trail.
  

• Day 7
  
• Clean slate for this day at the moment. Maybe something chill like Rockport State Park, hang out in Sedro-Woolley, etc.
  

• Day 8
  
• Drive back to Seattle, Fly home
  

Definitely do cascade pass to Sahale arm trail at North Cascades. We got rained out in July last year so I'm going back this summer to hit it. Thornton Lakes is nice too.

At Rainier, the Skyline Trail is spectacular. Just get out there early, as it can get crowded. I went over Labor Day a few years ago and started around sunrise. It was not too crowded at that time but when I looped around it was a madhouse at the base.

We live in Portland. Nix that, makes little sense to fly into here for Rainier.

Are you married to Paradise? You and the rest of America will be there mid-July.

If you're open, LOGE (adventure motel that's popular up here) has a place near Crystal. You hit Sunshine from there (some great hikes that have a higher barrier to entry; e.g., Grand Park). Crystal also spins their gondola during the summer to the Summit House restaurant. Pretty dope place to eat and watch a sunrise over Rainier.

Meh, Diablo is man made. You're in N Cascade, go to a glacier or an alpine lake. Agreed with above, Cascade Pass as far as you can to the Sahale glacier.

I'd push as far into N Cascade as you can. You can stay on Ross Lake at the resort. **** gets really cool on the east side and a lot of fun towns: Winthrop, Mazama. You can fish the Methow as well.

You're also missing Baker, which is also a must do! Lake 22 and Artist Point are wonderful.

RangerRick9211 said:

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We live in Portland. Nix that, makes little sense to fly into here for Rainier.

Are you married to Paradise? You and the rest of America will be there mid-July.

If you're open, LOGE (adventure motel that's popular up here) has a place near Crystal. You hit Sunshine from there (some great hikes that have a higher barrier to entry; e.g., Grand Park). Crystal also spins their gondola during the summer to the Summit House restaurant. Pretty dope place to eat and watch a sunrise over Rainier.

Meh, Diablo is man made. You're in N Cascade, go to a glacier or an alpine lake. Agreed with above, Cascade Pass as far as you can to the Sahale glacier.

I'd push as far into N Cascade as you can. You can stay on Ross Lake at the resort. **** gets really cool on the east side and a lot of fun towns: Winthrop, Mazama. You can fish the Methow as well.

You're also missing Baker, which is also a must do! Lake 22 and Artist Point are wonderful.

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I was only considering Portland if we decided to stay in Packwood. Seems about the same driving time from Seattle or Portland

Definitely not set on Paradise. However we were thinking about doing the Rainier portion Tues-Thu before heading to Cascades Fri-Tues. Do you think it's still crazy crowded mid week like that?

I'll take a look at crystal. My wife is dead set on a more private Airbnb type place over a lodge but I'll look around

Is Alpine lake, Glacier Lake and Baker doable in one day? Those seem pretty far apart as does a lot of stuff in the Cascades.

Trying to cut down on lots of driving time and allow some down time. Like I mentioned in the OP we have 3 little kids and never get away like this so need to recharge some too

After the fishing day we'll have 2 full days in the Cascades and 2 full days in Rainier. 1 travel day to Rainier, 1 between the parks and 1 leaving. Maybe we need to try and see a sight on the travel between parks.

BSD said:

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Definitely do cascade pass to Sahale arm trail at North Cascades. We got rained out in July last year so I'm going back this summer to hit it. Thornton Lakes is nice too.

At Rainier, the Skyline Trail is spectacular. Just get out there early, as it can get crowded. I went over Labor Day a few years ago and started around sunrise. It was not too crowded at that time but when I looped around it was a madhouse at the base.

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Thanks. I was thinking 1 day at Paradise and another near the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center area. Silver Falls seems to be legit.

How tough is Sahale arm? We've done hiking in TX but very little at high altitude

I'm not sure, we're never there in the summer.

I think it's reservation for the summer now as well.

And yeah, wiffed the littles, that's a lot of driving period. N Cascade is a haul up and a deeper haul east to really get into it. Have you thought about Snoqualmie/Baker Nat Forest? It gets you sniffing into Alpine Lakes and the Enchantments. We've hiked Snow Lake with an infant before.

Not to pivot you too hard, but bang for time, Portland is hard to beat. Hood is similar to Rainier. We have the Gorge (waterfalls), Hood River, wine country, legit old growth, and the better coast (all public). All within 2 hours of PDX.

I'll definitely take a look at Oregon. Crater Lake looks awesome.

If we do Washington, I think we may pivot and do San Juan islands for fishing, etc. then head to the NCNP. It seems like a lot of driving so fit in 2 of the 3 National Parks. With this trip needing to avoid driving 10 hours, might not be doable.

Or North Cascade. The ferry is very fun to Bainbridge and a quick drive to Port A.

Hah, Crater is a haul. It's in the middle of nowhere. It's cool, but not a ton to do.

But seriously, there's a solid OR loop that's not too much driving and has a lot more to do than just NP to NP; but you get 80% of a Rainier experience.

Day-1:PDX > Gorge (Food and fish the Sandy off the plane; water falls, Columbia Historic Highway/Vista Point) > Hood River (waterfront park for kids / Pfriem for parents; wind surfing; fruit loop (our favorite The Gorge Whitehouse); MTB (Post Canyon)

Day 2-3: Hood River > Mt Hood / Timberline Lodge (45 minute drive from HR). Very similar to Rainier. If you want waterfalls: Tamanawas, Romona, etc.. You'll have the alpine meadows of the PCT like Paradise. McNeail Point is a great hike. Timberline Lodge is cool and you can stay there or just AirBnb in Govy/Welches; skiing goes through August, so you'll have snow to play in. Excellent lakes to play on with Lost Lake or Trillium (go Lost, better views and fewer crowds). Ski Bowl runs an Adventure Park during the summer (Alpine sled, rope courses in the trees, zip lining, Putt-putt, go-carts, etc.). 8 year old will have a blast and Hood will always be your background.

Days 4-6: Mt. Hood to Bend (2 hour drive). City itself is great for kids and parents (so much beer). Endless hiking around Sisters, Bach and Deschutes River trails. Alternative is to stay in Sunriver. Same access, just more curated. Bachelor (runs MTB in the summer) / Cascade Lakes Highway is killer - Devil's is our fav. For fishing, yeah, the Deschutes, but my main squeeze is the Metolious River. A true destination and 45 minutes from Bend (link and link). Summer concerts in Drake Park / Bend Brewing on the river and just a great kid city - tons of parks. Nothing beats Bend in the summer.

Days 7-8: Bend to PDX up over Santiam Pass (3 hours). Lunch at Suttle. Choose what you want on the drive: Crater Lake like water, Blue Pool, top of the pass; or other side of the pass and waterfalls, Trail of Ten Falls State Park.