Randy, W O W ! Now, you see why I have been hoping you would get a good day at “our park” and YOU DID! I can’t tell you how many times I have hiked the Skyline Trail, first time I was about Shane’s age or younger (in 1960s), last time about 10 years ago. It has always been my favorite hike, and Reflection Lake, as my favorite stop. Actually you can hike from Paradise to Reflection Lake which is a neat and easy hike. Your editorial comment about MOUNT RAINIER as the BEST NATIONAL PARK moved me, as I wrote those same words in a theme paper in the 10th grade about the amazing alpine meadows and mountain hike. As soon as the snow melts (usually end of July early August) the wildflowers at Paradise are better than anywhere SO HAPPY YOU AND SHANE ENJOYED THE SKYLINE, . . . Mike
@@AmericasParks Randy, you guys did a great job, and quote from John Muir says it all. I assume you saw it engraved on the steps. In August and September you don’t have the snowfields, and there are plenty of signs to help. There are dozens of different wildflowers in August, very dense blooms that is why Muir was impressed. September is amazing on that hike with red leaves on the huckleberries and bears everywhere. Bring the daughters next time! . . . Mike
100% accurate with your comments. MRNP is our most frequently visited Park in the system (live in OR). We NEVER get our fill. Be there next month and cannot wait ;)
The ruling keeps changing. You can film for personal use, it's just illegal to upload for "commercial purposes." This is a crazy rule, and imho a government overreach when you consider small-time RU-vidrs with a cell phone. Hope it gets overturned... again.
Randy, I want you to know that watching these videos of your trips with all your kids really gives me some big feelings. Watching your kids grow up reminds me of how fast my own kids are growing. Life happens fast and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. You’ve been an inspiration for me to cherish every moment while it lasts. Thank you.
Wise words, my friend! You keep hearing how fast your children will grow up, but it makes total sense when it happens. Keep being a great dad. You'll never regret the investment you make in their lives!
Mt Rainier & North Cascades NP are two of my favorite parks to visit. I live in Texas but I don't mind making the trip to Washington, it's well worth it! Thank you for always posting great videos with incredible views! Big fan!!
Randy and Shane I am fortunate enough to live 30 minutes from the park entrance. My wife and I hike these trails regularly. We are so fortunate. I am 71and my wife is 68. These walks and hikes keep us going. We will hike and walk until we can't walk any more. In March we are planning a 900 mile trek in Israel ,Italy and across Spain. I enjoy your channel. May God bless you and your family.
Appreciate the inspiration, James! So encouraged by you and your wife's commitment to each other and desire to stay active. May you be blessed with many more years of good faith, joy and health.
Hey Jymn, thanks for the inspiring words! Happy to hear of your road trip to some great places to the south of you. You'll cherish those memories with your daughters forever!
Been watching your Rainier vides; now I'm a subscriber. Gonna check this hike out bc of you! Can you please tell us where the outdoor restaurant at the 8:30 minute mark of your video is? That'd be a great place to conclude a trip with my crew!
Happy to hear you've found the videos useful. Nearly positive this is the restaurant. It wasn't far beyond the exit of the park if I recall correctly, right side of the road. rainierbasecampgrill.com/
Bam. Chinook Pass. Easy picking. Naches Peak Yakima Peak and Sourdough Pass to Crystal Lake. This hike gets you on the mountain. Rainier is gigantic. Huge. Cowlitz River Canyon TH is good one. Out and back. If in Washington and want more Go up Teanaway River to Esmeralda Basin do the Longs Pass. Or PCT at Snoqualmie Pass. Rainier is king. Makes Whitney look like a joke. Shasta too. It is a beast.
Thank you Randy and Shane. The scenery/photography of Mount Rainer is truly awesome. I enjoy seeing you both together and may God Bless you always... Robin 🙂
Another amazing accomplishment for you and Shane. The views are fabulous along with the snow and wildflowers. Thanks for sharing the great trip with us. Take care always.
The best part of video for me was watching the two you sliding in snow, turning the Park into a playground full of happiness and laughter. Oh yes, the thrill of being a child again filled with the sound of playground noise. Sliding down a snow hill is a tip-top nature time delight. With a sun that is bright is sure to bring a you smile and laughter of a golden light. I love to see the happiness that glows from you, family and friends that shows thankfulness for the gift of life.
Great video. We are traveling to that area in 2025. :) Yes, we are planning our RV route a couple of years out. Thanks for sharing this hike. :) ~Wilson and Kelli
Hello America's Parks😊😊, now that was an awesome hike in the snow and icefields. Now that was a lot of fun even in thick fog. Randy, this was a wonderful video and it's great that your son enjoyed this trip. I sure wish I was there. Great video!
For the love of God how did nobody notice the animal coming out of the bushes at 2:56. I took a deep dive trying to figure out what the heck that was....and I'm lost. I hope others see this comment and solve this case for my OCD's case.
Well done Randy! Beautiful video in a beautiful place. I've never been there, but really want to now! As I've said many times before, watching your relationship with your children is such an inspiration.
This has been an amazing series. Absolutely some of your best work. I really like how you have shown extra footage, like you and Shane enjoying lunch, etc in the last 2 clips like u used to show lots of shots of in earlier videos. Chomping at the bit to head out in 5 weeks for mine. Grandson asks his dad constantly when we get to go. Looking forward to the next one!
I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now and they help me plan my trips! I’m trying to figure out my next destination for the weekend before the 4th of July. Your praise of Rainier has got me second guessing where I’ll end up. It’s between Teton, Rainier or North Cascades. Any thoughts?
Can't go wrong with any of those! Really hard to compare. If I had to choose one I'd go with Rainier and pray the mountain is "out" (often fogged in) when I'm there.
It’s absolutely true that Rainier is not visible often, but when the mountain is out, it’s just stunning, truly awe inspiring. I think Mount Rainier is the best national park, but I’m a little bias. This was a great video, loved every second of it!
Would it be okay if I used your Zion hiking footage in a documentary about the park’s growth? I will give you full credit and it would really help out.
Thanks! I believe the hike took us about 4 hours to complete. I'd check at the Visitor Center - they can make some good recommendations based upon your interest in length and elevation change.
Skyline is nice but the crowd can be too much. I suggest you check out Burrough Mountains trail at Sunrise! There's a greater chance of seeing mountain goats as well.
I'd call the park service... each year can be different, but it often takes some time into the summer for the snow to thaw. Ask also about the best time to see the wildflowers.
If I understand you correctly, it's a 10-feet selfie stick with a 360 camera. Here are the links: Insta360Onex2 360 Camera: amzn.to/3vYMxw0 Insta360 Extra Long (10ft) Invisible Selfie Stick: amzn.to/3uLXIqP
Wonderful walk with such epic views. Mount Rainier looks just magnificent. This looked another tough day out following hard on the heels of your adventure on Mount St Helens. I am very jealous of the great landscapes that are readily accessible to you. See you again soon.
Stunning views, especially at the start and shame the mist came in for you guys later on but what an awesome hike, especially in the second half conditions. Chains were a must hiking in the snow as was the sliding back down on you butt, looked great fun. Real lucky getting your pole back and real lucky with the views, waterfalls and colour on the trail, well deserved bit of pie at the end and it sure did look nice as well lol! Cheers Alan
Here's the one I spoke on in the video: Insta360 Extra Long (10ft) Invisible Selfie Stick: amzn.to/3uLXIqP It's used specifically for a 360 camera: Insta360Onex2 360 Camera: amzn.to/3vYMxw0
Awesome I agree Rainier is a gorgeous top park in US. It's my favorite Park. I've climbed and summited Mt.Rainier many times. You and your son should hike to Camp Muir and continue up that trail! It's awesome! And the view from the climbs to the summit especially the Emmons route is amazing!
@@AmericasParks I know... I hear you as well... If only we didn't have to do all this pointless work maybe we could "explore" more... a part of me tells me we have barely scratched the surface on this realm... the master plan was to always have us forced to work in some form or another to limit our ability to explore... What are your thoughts?
@@PNWSportsCards Briefly, I'd say work is healthy and a good institution to teach us responsibility, provide for our needs (w/o taking from others) and give us fulfillment (a sense of accomplishment/value). However, I do agree that too many worship their work and that our sad economy is requiring us to work more to make ends meet than we should.
Actually, we were hoping for more clarity, but didn't get what we expected according to the weather predictions. Thankfully, we did get that one view and I was quick with the camera.
Great job Randy, from the Grand Canyon, to Angels Landing to Glacier National Park and Mt. Rainier….nice…..keep us inspired and great to see your kids into hiking at their age.
Paradise is just that. Amazing. I summited Rainier back in 2018. It was the hardest peak I ever climbed. It’s a “real” mountain. Love your videos of all my neighborhood playgrounds in the PNW.
Much appreciated, Jason! Congrats on your Rainier summit... great accomplishment! You truly do live in an incredibly beautiful area of our great country!
You should do a video of the other 5.0-rated (by AllTrails, there's actually a few other 5.0-rated trails :) ) trail at Rainier, Burroughs Mountain Loop on the Sunrise side if you haven't gotten that already tee'd up. I've done Skyline about 5 times over the years and have yet to do Burroughs even once. Should be an interesting view as you're closer to the mountain relative to Skyline.
Thanks, Bob! Actually, just read another comment from another gentleman with the same sentiments regarding Burroughs. Appreciate the suggestion... hope to get back!
glad you were able to figure it out, getting a little lost and then finding your way back adds to the Adventure! awesome time on the mountain thanks for taking us with you
Thanks, Thorn! So tough to navigate those trails in the switchbacks (especially our issue in the North Cascades). Even with an app/gps, much more difficult that I thought it would be. Enjoy your week!
Great Video. I have been to most National Parks in Continental USA, Alaska and have been to Mt Rainier 3 times. I have to vote for Yosemite as the best park with the suburb hiking especially the Glacier Point trail that leads to the Valley floor. Yosemite is also surrounded by other highlights such as Kings Canyon, Lake Tahoe and Sequoia NP. Hard to beat those areas. Yes, I love Rainier NP but not on the top of my list.
I agree with your glowing assessment of the Skyline Trail. I did it 10 years ago and will never forget it. I've seen 60/63 of our National Parks and of all those adventures I count Skyline Trail as one of the best. Your video makes we want to go back!
One thing I fear going on hikes is losing camera equipment. Lucky you noticed the selfie stick was gone and where to find it. Especially, in the snow, hiking it back up, I know wasn't fun.
Our first child - a son - was born a couple months back, and Mt. Rainier NP has long been on my travel wishlist. I can't wait to travel and walk there with him later this decade - just like you did in this video! Greetings from The Netherlands, Europe.
Beautiful words! Visiting these parks with my children has been so valuable in building our relationships. Hope you will have the same experience with yours! p.s. All my children are half dutch!
Paradise is great! Especially when the snow has melted out and there are wildflowers everywhere. I feel like I've been able to see Rainier from the Seattle area >90% of the days this summer but of course it was cloudy when you went!
Great video! I do love where I live and am able look out my window and see that big beautiful mountain, even when its's covered in clouds you know it's there just waiting to show you all it's glory. And the Cascade mount range aint to shabby either!
We were there on July 14th and had your experience on the Skyline Trail although we had crystal clear skies. Got lost several times on the eastern side and unintentionally slid down some banks! What a great park!
Right on, Tim! That back half was a challenge to navigate. Thankfully it wasn't on steep switchback like we encountered at N. Cascades. Glad you has a great trip!
I hiked the Skyline Trail about the same time last year on a warm sunny weekend, and the place was an absolute zoo. There were so many people there that everybody came to a complete stop whenever someone stopped to take pictures. The beauty of the place is definitely not a well-kept secret.
Sorry to hear about your experience. I know it bothers some, but I am a fan of the permit system to limit the traffic, protect the parks and give visitors a better experience.
I've climbed Mt Rainier two times and climbed all the other volcanoes and other big peaks in Washington state. Now I was able to climb Mt Kenya. I have to say that Mt Rainier is still my top mountain that I have ever climbed. Really cool you were able to take your son on that adventure. He won't forget it for the rest of his life.
During lesser snow years much of the snow covered area you hiked through is lush with wildflowers making this area unique and entirely enchanting to hike through. You nailed it- this Park is so beautiful and (for us) stands as one of the best we've visited. Continue to enjoy your videos...blessings brother ;) Cannot wait to be there next month. Always epic!
This is such a beautiful hike. What a nice group of friends you met along the way. So much snow up there. I think I like watching the snow hikes better than hiking in it. You and Shane got some nice clear views at the top. Amazing!
When did you visit? I just did this trail this past sunday and there were just a few patches of snow on the trail. Consequently, your hike seems to have been much more challenging than mine.
@@AmericasParks Loved the hike. It was not as hard as I expected. My 4 year old was able to do most of it save for the last mile when I had to carry him.
