When the weather forecast calls for a brilliant blue Saturday in the depth of winter, Seattleites load up their cars and head into the mountains. On this particular day, we headed straight for Panorama Point on Mount Rainier. At 5 miles roundtrip and about 2000 feet of elevation gain, the snowshoe to Panorama Point is relatively straightforward and easily done in a day.

In the winter, the gates up to Paradise don’t open until 9 am, so we lined up with our fellow adventure lovers. The parking lot seemed to fill immediately with everyone looking to play on the mountain on a rare clear winter’s day.

It took a little time on the trail, but eventually traffic began to thin as people shot off in various directions of viewpoints, trails, and sledding hills. Maybe a third of the crowd set off in the same direction as us, making the steep climb up to the incredible view offered at Panorama Point.

Many were on skis pushing on a little further to the clean powdery backcountry snow. Some were simply in sneakers, sliding down the snowy steep sections without the traction they needed. Those that made their way to the point were rewarded with brilliant sunlight and spectacular views of the Tatoosh Range and Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Hood in the distance.

After eating lunch and soaking in the views, we made our way down, swinging over towards the Alta Vista Trail to check out the snow covered Nisqually Glacier on the side of Mount Rainier. It seemed like just a few months ago we were standing in the same spot surrounded by wildflowers glowing in the setting sun.

We caught one last view of through the trees Rainier as we drove out of the park. Next time, we’re gonna need to bring tents.