Mount Rainier NP has multiple entrances, and we entered from the Nisqualy (Glacier) entrance, and headed out to the Paradise area where we lucked out and found a parking spot. We hiked up the Alta Vista trail.
In general, most trails have you hiking on a path in between two rows of high trees, and you eventually reach a “viewpoint” with something interesting like a waterfall. What’s exceptional with Mount Rainier, is that you pretty much have a nonstop expansive view for the entire time you are on the trail. This is now one of our top all-time trails we hiked (interestingly, our still top one, Bryce Canyon, also had non-stop views).
After that strenuous-for-us hike (rated moderate), we did the easy stuff like watch the park movie in the Jackson visitor center, and visit the Longmire museum on the way back to the park entrance. Not without stopping for a short hike at Narada falls
