If you only have one day to spend in Mount Rainier National Park, I highly recommend you spend it on the Skyline Trail. It is an arduous, 7-mile round trip hike, but it's definitely the best way to see the mountain in all its glory.
If that sounds like too much to you or if you have a little more time in the park (which, for the record, I would recommend planning to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Mount Rainier National Park) and are looking for another perspective, the Pinnacle Peak Trail is my second recommendation. It's an excellent hike with great views of Mount Rainier, and it makes for a great warm-up hike if you plan to do it the day before hiking the Skyline Trail, which is what I did.
How to get a good view of Mount Rainier
The Skyline Trail takes you up the side of Mount Rainier, which offers stunning views of Mount Adams and the surrounding area. It also provides an intimate experience with the mountain and up-close views of the peak. But you can't really get great views of Mount Rainier from atop Mount Rainier. If you want to get a nice panoramic view that includes the mountain, you'll have to step away from it. For the best view of Mount Rainier, I recommend the Pinnacle Peak Trail.
How hard is the Pinnacle Peak Trail?
The Pinnacle Peak Trail is about 3.5 miles round trip and less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It was a bit of a strenuous climb for sure, but it's definitely worth it when you get to the top and feel almost level with Mount Rainier.
The Pinnacle Peak Trail starts at a road-side parking lot at Mirror Lake, which is another favorite sight in Mount Rainier National Park in its own right. I mean, look at that reflection! (It's called Mirror Lake for a reason lol, but I've also seen it just called Reflection Lake.) I definitely recommend at least driving by. I think Mirror Lake was my favorite view of Mount Rainier that didn't involve any hiking.
The Pinnacle Peak Trail offers amazing views of Mount Rainier, and I was a little astounded and very excited that I hiked above cloud-level. I kept turning around mid-hike to take in the views while I caught my breath. It was just such a lovely scene. At the top of the hike, there are tons of rocks you can sit on for a nice rest. I had a protein bar and enjoyed the view before braving the return trip.
What flowers can you see in Mount Rainier National Park?
The hike also featured plenty of beautiful wildflowers. July is an excellent time to be in Mount Rainier National Park if you are a fan of wildflowers, and I really enjoyed the many colors dotting the meadows. I'm very fond of the paintbrush flower on the far left, and the Pacific Northwest has it in plenty. The purple flower I believe is lupine, and the white is sitka valerian.
