trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
Mount Rainier is a large active stratovolcano, Washington, USA, located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. It towers over the Cascade Range as the most prominent mountain in the contiguous United States …
The mountain and the surrounding area are protected within Mount Rainier National Park. With 26 major glaciers and 36 square miles (93 km2) of permanent snowfields and glaciers, Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. …
This quote greets the hiker at Paradise trailhead, Mt. Rainier, Washington:
Wild flowers are terrific on Rainier. But …, I’d love to take John Muir to Waterton/Glacier and the Canadian Rockies during wildflower season. … To compare.
Wildlife is another highlight of the Rainier alpine meadows:
The 5000+ft climb to Camp Muir (10,080′) begins on the excellent Skyline Trail 5.5mi (8.9km), a good alternative to Muir if conditions are not safe for the snowy ascent up high on the volcano.
We find it troublesome to recommend Skyline, however, as it’s so busy. It’s ideal, though, for children and visitors who have not seem much snow. Rainier is one of the snowiest places in the USA!
The maze of trails out of Paradise are confusing. Get advice and a free map from the Ranger’s desk.
If the weather is GREAT, as it was the day I was there, best hike is to scramble up to the historic base camp, the most popular for those climbing Rainier.
You’ll often need an ice axe for this scramble. But not in ideal conditions.
It’s hard to imagine a better place to be than Camp Muir on a sunny day like this.
Here are some climbers, prepping for the ascent:
I descended 2mi in 40min on a plastic bag toboggan like this. Great FUN.
more photos from this hike to Camp Muir
besthike.com 
Okay, that plastic bag tobogan thing, I’ve got to try that. Nice photos and writeup.
Wow this looks like an incredible hike. Great pictures and keep up the good work.