For many living in the Puget Sound region, Mount Rainier is a commanding presence, weather permitting. "The Mountain" can be seen on clear days from as far south as Corvallis, Oregon and as far north as Victoria, British Columbia. It is a stoic white monument of rock and ice and snow that manages to trick the eye into thinking that it is larger on some days than others. It has a topographical prominence - the vertical distance between the lowest contour line surround it and the top - larger than the world's second largest peak, K2.
On this day, from Doge Peak, elevation of 7006 feet and just 8 miles from Rainier's peak, it commands for other reasons. Even at the top of Doge Peak the sheer magnitude of one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes becomes apparent. The mountain is nearly three miles high!
Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated mountain in the US outside of Alaska with 26 major glaciers and 36 square miles of glaciers and permanent snow pack. From this view the Emmons Glacier is one of the more evident from this point northwest of the mountain. The White River flows from this glacier.
Doge Peak is a "moderate hike" just 4.2 miles round trip from the Sunrise Visitor Center and lodge located at 6400 feet. As you walk along the ridge line headed east away from Mount Rainier and Sunrise you are treated to views of sub alpine meadows, wildflowers, Mountain Goats and even the 12,281 foot Mount Adams located 50 miles south.
The road to the Sunrise Visitors Center often doesn't open until early July. It makes accessibility to this Puget Sound landmark incredibly easy.
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