Mount Rainier


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Mount Rainier is the higest peak in Washington State, visible from many points in Western Washington State.

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Compendium: PNWWiki
Subject: Places

Mount Rainier is the highest peak in Washington State at 14,411 ft. As Wikipedia puts it, it’s the “most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States,” meaning it’s very visible. It sticks out, which has led to the often-heard phrase around here: “The Mountain is Out!” on days when the area’s often overcast weather does not obscure it.

Mount Rainier and the surrounding National Park are popular tourist spots for their natural beauty, which includes much old-growth forest and meadows (with wildflowers! Generally, the best time to go is late July or August).

The mountain is an active volcano. Fortunately, it is not an eruptive one currently! The last eruptions were some 500-600 years ago, with some steam explosions, possibly in the 1800s.

Description generated by Gemini

This is an AI-generated description of this term, so please take that into consideration when you are assessing the content

Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located in Pierce County, Washington, about 59 miles (95 km) southeast of Seattle. It's the highest mountain in the Cascade Range and the most topographically prominent peak in the contiguous United States. Here's a summary of key features:

  • Type: Active stratovolcano (though currently dormant)
  • Elevation: 14,411 feet (4,392 meters)
  • Prominence: 13,210 feet (4,027 meters)
  • Glaciers: Heavily glaciated, containing more glacial ice than any other peak in the contiguous US. These glaciers contribute to several rivers.
  • Part of: Mount Rainier National Park, a popular destination for hiking, camping, and mountaineering.
  • Hazards: Considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to its large amount of glacial ice, proximity to populated areas, and potential for lahars (volcanic mudflows).
  • Cultural Significance: Sacred to indigenous peoples of the region, including the Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Muckleshoot, Cowlitz, and Yakama tribes. Known by various indigenous names, including Tahoma, Tacoma, and *Ti'Swaq'.

While dormant, Mount Rainier is considered an active volcano and is constantly monitored by the USGS for signs of activity.

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Pierce, US
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Mount Rainier

This is a map page with a Mount Rainier location map.

Mount Rainier is the highest peak in Washington State and an active (though fortunately not eruptive) volcano. It's a very prominent landscape feature from many places in Western Washington.

Please do NOT use this marker for GPS locations! It's just noting the location of the mountain itself, and the surrounding Mount Rainier National Park has five different entrance locations. For more information about that visit this page on the NPS website.
V62Q+WV Sunrise, WA, USA
98304
November 11, 2024

Mount Rainier

Related Reading:

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Day Hike! Mount Rainier, 4th Edition: More than 50 Washington State Trails You Can Hike in a Day
  • Judd, Ron C. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 240 Pages - 03/19/2019 (Publication Date) - Sasquatch Books (Publisher)
Sale
Tahoma and Its People: A Natural History of Mount Rainier National Park
  • Antonelis-Lapp, Jeff (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 276 Pages - 03/01/2020 (Publication Date) - Washington State University Press (Publisher)
Mount Rainier: A Climbing Guide (A Climbing Guide) 2nd Edition
  • Publisher: The Mountaineers Books
  • Jacket: paperback
  • ISBN#: 978-0898869569
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 in
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The Measure of a Mountain: Beauty and Terror on Mount Rainier
  • Barcott, Bruce (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 04/10/2007 (Publication Date) - Sasquatch Books (Publisher)

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Categories & Tags

Compendiums: PNWWiki

Subjects: Places

Categories: Mountains | Geological Features | Places | PNWWiki

Tags:Geological Features | Mount Rainier | Mountains | Pierce County | Volcano | Washington State

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Wikipedia Content

Mount Rainier (Wikipedia)

Mount Rainier (/rˈnɪər/ ray-NEER), also known as Tahoma, is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest in the United States. The mountain is located in Mount Rainier National Park about 59 miles (95 km) south-southeast of Seattle. With an officially recognized summit elevation of 14,410 ft (4,392 m) at the Columbia Crest, it is the highest mountain in the U.S. state of Washington, the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States, and the tallest in the Cascade Volcanic Arc.

Mount Rainier
Tahoma
Mount Rainier's northwestern slope viewed aerially just before sunset on September 6, 2020
Highest point
Elevation14,410 ft (4,392 m) NGVD 29
Prominence13,210 ft (4,030 m)
Isolation731 mi (1,176 km)
Listing
Coordinates46°51′6″N 121°45′37″W / 46.85167°N 121.76028°W / 46.85167; -121.76028
Naming
EtymologyPeter Rainier
Geography
Mount Rainier is located in Washington (state)
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyPierce County
Protected areaMount Rainier National Park
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Mount Rainier West
Geology
Rock age500,000 years
Mountain typeStratovolcano
Volcanic arcCascade Volcanic Arc
Climbing
First ascent1870 by Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump
Easiest routerock/ice climb via Disappointment Cleaver

Due to its high probability of an eruption in the near future and proximity to a major urban area, Mount Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and it is on the Decade Volcano list. The large amount of glacial ice means that Mount Rainier could produce massive lahars that could threaten the entire Puyallup River valley and other river valleys draining Mount Rainier, including the Carbon, White, Nisqually, and Cowlitz (above Riffe Lake). According to the United States Geological Survey's 2008 report, "about 80,000 people and their homes are at risk in Mount Rainier's lahar-hazard zones."

Between 1950 and 2018, 439,460 people climbed Mount Rainier. Approximately 84 people died in mountaineering accidents on Mount Rainier from 1947 to 2018.


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