Mount Rainier is a large and dangerous stratovolcano. With a summit at 4.4 km it is the highest mountain of Washington state and the heaviest glaciated mountain of the lower 48.

 

In case of a major eruption the melted snow and ice may generate a massive mudflow in the Puyallup River and wreck havoc in the nearby city of Tacoma.

 

In 1792 Captain George Vancouver named the mountain after his friend admiral Peter Rainier, but to the local Native Americans it was known as Talol, Tacoma or Tahoma.

Lately the discussion on using the native name has emerged again.

 

John Muir was the first westerner to climb the mountain way back in 1888 and many have followed his example since.

 

The volcano is the center of the Mount Rainier National Park, where you can view the snow-capped peaks from all sides, hike one of the many trails and encounter some of the abundant wildlife.

 

We visited Mount Rainier in July 2001.