Intermediate Snowshoe - Mazama Ridge (Mount Rainier)

Longmire Museum, Mount Rainier National Park

8:45 am, February 16, 2024

The nights are long this time of year, but on Friday, February 16, 2024 the moon sets at 1:34 am with 55% illumination, so we may be able to do a moonlight snowshoe walk and still have outstanding star viewing in the early morning.  This is a 1-night snow camping snowshoe trip. We will be tent camping (not snow caves) on Mazama Ridge, which is about 2 miles from the Paradise parking lot.  

After setting up camp, and depending on weather, we will snowshoe from camp.  Also, before departure on Saturday we will do another snowshoe from camp before breaking camp and returning to our cars. Possible routes in Caltopo

The destination is subject to change or cancellation based on conditions and the opening time for the Longmire gate. Hard sided food containers are now required by the Park Service, but Ursacks are an acceptable alternative.  All vehicles must carry chains past Longmire (even AWD vehicles).  Blue bags are required for human waste, but will be provided by the Park when we pick up our permit.

Weather: I expect low overnight temperatures could be as low as 10 F. You should check the current weather report shortly before departure: NOAA Weather forecast

EV access: Depending on the electric car, the trailhead will be accessible by an EV.  Paradise is about 210 miles round trip from Seattle.  No EV chargers are at Paradise, but some are available enroute.  

Leader permission: Leader permission is required, which you can obtain by sending an email  to the leader.  When you request leader permission, please accompany your request with the answers to the questions available at this link.  You can download these questions, type in your responses below each question, save and email to me;  or copy and paste into an email and put your responses there.

A Park entrance fee or America The Beautiful pass will be required for all drivers.  Participants will need to reimburse the trip leader for $1, as their share of the $6 permit cost.