Way back in 1955, a group of dedicated skiers appealed to the Forest Service to create a ski area, and in 1958 Crystal Mountain Winter Sports Area was created. In 1962, it opened with two double chairlifts. Fast-forward to 2016: Crystal Mountain has 57 runs, 10 lifts, and a gondola.
The Mt. Rainier Gondola was installed in 2010, and traces the path of one of the original lifts. It's the state’s only high-speed gondola, and takes riders from the base area to the summit house. At the top, you can drink in the amazing views and hike multiple peaks along the ridge.
The Mt. Rainier Gondola, by the numbers:
- Base elevation: 4,400 feet
- Top elevation: 6,856 feet
- Vertical rise: 2,456 feet
- Approx. trip time: 9 min 39 sec (one-way)
- 24 8-passenger cabins
- Speed: 800 ft/min
The gondola operates from mid-June to mid-September – seasonal hours of operation.
Web References:
2016 was the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and to celebrate, Visit Rainier and WSGA hosted the Visit Rainier Centennial GeoTour - 100 caches placed in and around Mount Rainier National Park. The geocaches highlighted the rich history, scenic wonders, quaint communities, and hidden gems of the Rainier region. Participants received geocoin and pathtag prizes for finding all the caches.
