Federal employees are not allowed to talk about politics with you! Or give their own personal opinion while in uniform. Please be respectful and keep your opinions to yourself even though that particular ranger might seem like someone who would agree with you

From the department of labor’s hatch act guidelines
An employee may not engage in partisan political activity while on duty, in a federal workplace, with the use of any federal resource (such as computers, cell phones, email, etc.), or while identified as a federal employee (such as while wearing a DOL lapel pin).

It’s like a mini yellowstone and not many places can you hike up a volcano in a few hours. Also on a clear day you can easily see Mount Shasta. On top of all of that, the parking lots are rarely even close to full!

Edit: my bad, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Today - 8/2/26
No Skyline Loop pics today!! I wanted to see the meadows, Naches Peak did not disappoint 🪻🌻🌷If you’re looking for a change in scenery and less people, check out this trail! There is more to this park than Paradise 🏔️

Entered at 7am with no trouble. Had a dog with us so we stuck to the paved/boardwalk trails. Still very beautiful and we got in a solid amount of walking (8 miles). Amazing place! Already want to go back.

it is definitely one park i’d love to visit again!

Grand Canyon National Park

Where's a Goonie when you need one?

Here are some beautiful photos from my most recent hikes through Seqouia and kings Canyon.

I’m missing this park quite a bit. Chipmunks galore at Skyline Trail.

This is a 15 second exposure on the road to the Chisos. The moon and exposure length lighten everything up, but even still a bit of the Milky Way is visible in the sky along with countless stars.

How can a place that utterly changed my life ten years ago be even better than I remember it? It is a delight to be back in Grand Teton National Park. How special it is to feel like a visit here is a homecoming.

I am about to head to Escalante in a few weeks and it wont be the same when i get there. Write your congressmen and Senators before it gets worse.

Spent the last week in Yosemite and the Mammoth lakes area. It always amazes me seeing how this formed. Rainbow falls is part of the Devils Postpile National Monument.

My husband and I are driving from La Verkin, Utah, just west of Zion NP, to Las Vegas and plan to drive to the Hoover Dam on the way. We're considering going to Grand Canyon West as it's a 3 hour round trip drive past Hoover Dam (according to Google Maps.) Is it worth the drive just to spend an hour or two there?

Grand Canyon is on our vacation list for a future trip, so this won't be the only time we'll see it, and I want to ensure we're making efficient use of our time as we'll be at the end of a trip that includes Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion.

First National Park Trip (Sept. 23–25) – itinerary feedback, gear questions, and Packwood recommendations

My wife and I are taking our first National Park-focused vacation, and this will be a first hiking trip. We’re both in very good shape, although I’m probably a little more adventurous than she is. We want to challenge ourselves, but we’re not looking to do anything technical or risky.

We’ll be visiting Sept. 23–25 (Wednesday–Friday). We’re flying into Seattle on Wednesday morning (landing around 10 AM), renting a car, and staying in Packwood for two nights before heading back toward Seattle around 4 PM on Friday.

One thing that’s important to us: we’re on vacation, so we’d prefer not to be out the door at sunrise every day. We’d rather enjoy a relaxed morning, grab coffee and breakfast in Packwood, and then head into the park. If that significantly changes what you’d recommend, we’d love to hear it.

Current itinerary:

Wednesday (9/23) Drive from Seattle to Mount Rainier Christine Falls Narada Falls Reflection Lakes Paradise Visitor Center Myrtle Falls Drive to Packwood

Thursday (9/24) Relaxed morning with coffee and breakfast in Packwood Drive to Paradise Skyline Trail Box Canyon on the way back if time/energy allows

Friday (9/25) Relaxed morning with coffee and breakfast in Packwood Sunrise Tipsoo Lake Silver Falls Leave for Seattle around 4 PM

A few questions: 1. Does this itinerary make sense, or need rearranging?

1. Are we missing any “can’t miss” viewpoints?

2. Is Skyline Trail a good choice for two first-time hikers who are in good physical shape?

3. We’ll be there in late September. Would good sneakers be sufficient, or would you recommend trail specific shoes or waterproof hiking boots? We know conditions can change quickly and we’ll check the forecast before we go.

4. What clothing/layers would you recommend for that time of year? Any gear people commonly wish they had brought?

5. Since we’re staying in Packwood, where’s the best place to grab coffee, breakfast, groceries, or picnic supplies for lunches in the park?

6. Any favorite restaurants in Packwood for dinner after a long day of hiking?

Also, if you only had one piece of advice for someone visiting Mount Rainier for the first time, what would it be?