Time lapse video of Mount Rainier

The most glaciated peak in the lower 48, Washington state’s Mount Rainier sits in the middle of a national park with the mountain as its namesake. It’s also among the best places in the United States for day hikers to see a glacier.

With a summit of 14,410 feet, the mountain gets about 650 inches of snow a year. Because of that, sometimes the mountain isn’t “out” but instead shrouded in clouds. Before hiking the mountain, always check the weather to ensure you’ll be able to see it in the distance, let alone safely go up it.

Here’s a brief time lapse video showing clouds over Mount Rainier on a day that it’s “out”:

A segment of Mount Rainier’s Wonderland Trail will give you a good view of the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the 48 contiguous United States. From Sunrise, Wash., take the connector trail to Emmons Vista and then to Wonderland Trail. Past Sunrise Camp, continue on the connector trail to Glacier Overlook for a 3-mile round trip.

Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks guidebook.