I had my second very positive experience with RMI this past month. The biggest takeaway is that…read morethis is a service for people who are seriously prepared for an enormous mental and physical challenge - if you're looking for something wild to do without months of preparation, regardless of the trip you choose, you might feel a little put off with RMI. Rainier IS something you can do with no previous climbing experience, but that doesn't mean you can just show up the day-of and expect to be fine. "No experience needed" doesn't mean no training is required. They make it clear that you need to be in the best physical condition of your life to execute these trips. I am someone who wants to pursue mountaineering as a lifelong hobby but doesn't have a climbing community of my own to go with. As a result, finding a Rainier concessioner was a natural choice. And even though it's nerve-wracking to climb with a bunch of pro guides and strangers, I felt like I found the type of community I've been dreaming of! I'm a female climber and my first experience was less positive because I didn't feel very included as a woman, but this second trip was amazing. I think inclusivity can often depend on the attitudes of the guides. Shoutout to Dominic, Sam, Marissa, and Rylee for making sure I felt strong and capable. No notes. I had the BEST time with them! There are other Rainier vendors (or guide services for other mountains) that are known to be a bit more gentle and flexible in their approach and pacing of their trips. Consider those alternatives if you're not craving absolute grit. No judgement, it's a personal preference. All in all, putting on multi-day climbs with clients of all backgrounds and dangerous terrain is no small feat, but I believe RMI does an incredible job at this. For as long as I'm climbing and able, I will choose RMI again.

I've had much better guiding experiences elsewhere. I did not finish Ranier. Although I was working…read morehard aerobically, I turned around mostly due to anxiety. I did not feel safe with my guide Hannah. For example, I asked for 30 seconds to breathe and she denied it and we kept going. We were not in a dangerous area. So, I decided to turn around. After about a minute of waiting for another rope team to go down I felt ready to keep going. I was not gassed at all, but I did not safe continuing with a guide who completely stonewalled the requests of her clients. I am very frustrated because I did not give it my all. I had plenty of gas left in the tank unlike others who turned around and were stumbling down. I just felt so demoralized by the continued emphasis that it only gets harder and we cannot slow down or stop for even a second that I chose to turn back. I feel confident I could have summited with another guiding company. I have done enough mountains (10+ guided summits including 7k meters) to know that that the pace we were going did in fact have time for me to take a 30 second breath break. Another option could have been to start one hour earlier to go 10% slower on the route--other guided climbs I have done choose starting time based on client pace as well as conditions, rather than rigidly holding to pace policy. I feel like this is the cattle car company that just wants maximum throughput booking trips and rental gear, and if you're not completely on their pace there is no flexibility to even breathe for 30 seconds. I did not feel looked after as an individual, just as one more unit in their system. I have never before wanted a refund on a guided climb, even when I didn't summit before (food poisoning). This experience makes me wish for one for the first time ever. I had a much better experience with Alpine Ascents International a month ago on Mt. Baker. They set a pace appropriate for the group and had empathy and responsiveness when another two clients on a rope team near mine were struggling. I recommend looking at that company as an alternative as they have a concession on Ranier as well. Update to add: I spoke to an AAI guide at camp after coming down. They left an hour earlier than our team did and their climbers came down after ours. So presumably a more manageable rate.

I have been to this area probably a half dozen times or so throughout my life and it is…read morebreathtakingly beautiful. On our most recent visit last month, we did some camping, hiking, exploring and made sure to visit the Gondola at Crystal Mountain. The weather was glorious, even in the summer heat it is always cool and enjoyable here. We even got some rain while we were camping which was so lovely having come from 100 degree scorching days. We loved the view on our hikes as well. You will get a mix of forests, meadows and some incredible mountain views. We were able to bring our dog with us everywhere and she loved it as well. We even had to break out her harness with a coat to make sure she didn't get a chill. This whole place is beautiful no matter the season and I can't wait for my next visit.

By far the most beautiful nature experience Mt Rainier so many trails great visitor center and…read morelodge I did 2 trails in one day will have to return for a week to be satisfied

This is a great hike. It's a moderate hike. Take about an hour. You were able to get spectacular…read morephotos. If it's raining on the west side of the mountains this would be a great getaway. It stays dry generally because it's nestled down Mount Rainier south east side.

Bench and Snow Lake Trail is located on the south side of Mount Rainier National Park and is a…read moregreat hike for beginners and families. I found it to be a nice scenic hike. The parking lot is small, but is worth a stop if you have an hour or two to do an easy to moderate hike. On this trail, you will have an opportunity to visit two beautiful alpine lakes. Just know that there is some elevation climb if you go all the way to Snow Lake. The total roundtrip will be around 2.5 miles if you do the complete hike. The scenic views were my favorite thing about this hike. If you turn around as you are hiking, you can see Mount Rainier behind you to the north. It is 0.7 miles to Bench Lake. They call it Bench Lake because it resides on a natural bench or a flat shelf of land near the edge of a steep slope heading down. If you continue further on the trail, you will eventually reach Snow Lake. Permits are required for wilderness camping in this area. Overall, this was a nice peaceful hike with very few people on the trail. You can't beat the gorgeous views and the pretty wildflowers along the path. I did get a lot of mosquito bites the closer I got to the lakes. So bring some bug spray. Pets are not allowed on the trail.

We enjoyed our Anniversary at Legends Horse training and had an enjoyable and safe ride.read more

Once again, I came to Legend's to get the knowledge and skill I needed. Jerome and his staff were…read moreincredible working with me and my horse! Ground manners were the problem. They are a problem no more! My horse and I know what to do and how to do---and most importantly, why. Everyone here is friendly, knowledgeable and takes the time to be thorough. Thank you! Thank you!

GPS to Bud Blancher Trailhead. Plenty of signs and parking. If you park at Pack Forest you will hit…read moreup the "back nine" parking to Bud Blancher parking. The entire trail is 3 miles.

Use GPS to get to Pack Forest and park in the parking lit right next to the trail head. Happy…read morehiking!

This is one of the most impressive eventing facilities I've visited in my life. It is designed to…read morebe a world-class, Olympic-quality facility, and it lives up to its goals. If you've any question, visit the website and view the photo galleries; the images speak for themselves. Beautiful facility. Beautiful, pristinely maintained grounds. All of the horses are in perfect shape and treated like royalty. I cannot speak highly enough of Aspen Farms!!! I wish I lived there!!!

This place is completely amazing! Even if you're not competing the events they put on here are fun…read moreto watch. The facilities and cross country course are by far the best in the area.

This hike starts and ends at the visitor's center. Tough little hike but very beautiful!…read more Honestly, I would recommend getting to the visitor's center by 7am or 8am at the latest. Otherwise, you're gonna have a hard time with parking. The hike is about 6ish miles. Tons of beautiful scenery. It'll be pretty crowded but it's worth it.

We parked at Henry M.Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. In the…read moreoverflow lot designated for people that plan to spend more than 2 hours. This place gets very crowded so parking is challenging. We checked out inside and got a map of all the hikes. There are bathrooms inside. We picked Skyline Loop because it was the hardest and were told it had breathtaking views. The trails head is marked with all the different trails with arrows guided for visitors. It starts off with an asphalt path but turns into gravel, rocks/steps. I recommend bringing walking sticks for balance. Please listen to the 10 essentials that they recommend. PROTECT THE MEADOWS! Stay on trails. Do not pick flowers. Leave No Trace of your visit. Pets are NOT allowed on trails. Do not feed or approach wildlife. Use a topographic map. Permit required for Wilderness camping. And PLEASE BRING WATER! Carry the "10 Essentials" A topographic map and compass, extra food, extra clothing/rain gear, emergency shelter, first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight and spare batteries, extra water, sunglasses and sunscreen, repair kit/tools, and waterproof matches-for emergency use only (fires are not allowed in the backcountry.) This is all from the flyer we picked up at the visitor center. This trail is difficult! It's all uphill (like a 10 -15 incline on treadmill) it's down hill on the way down. Spectacular views throughout the hike. Lots of wildlife! Highly recommend! I can't wait to go back to try all the other trails.