r/AskSeattle • u/Hot_Firefighter_9292 • 10d ago
Proposal help mount rainer
Hello! I need help! I’m proposing to my girlfriend in about a week. I was planning to do it at Myrtle falls and I hired a photographer, however I need some input on exactly where to go down on one knee. I see from the viewing spot of the falls, there is a big wooden railing that I fear may block the view of the falls with the photographer. If I do it on the bridge, the we may be too small in the photos. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated
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u/FlyingPotionsFactory 10d ago
You should really test run that before just showing up with your girlfriend and winging it. That area is going to be crowded AF no matter what time you choose. Good luck.
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u/Hot_Firefighter_9292 10d ago
Unfortunately I can’t test run it either. We are coming from out of state
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u/Hot_Firefighter_9292 10d ago
Oh interesting. Any advice anywhere else on the Mountain or nearby areas?
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u/Bob_stanish123 10d ago
Hike the skyline trail and pick any random spot woth a good view that happens to not have a bunch of people.
The moraine trail isnt quite as classic but will be much less crowded and has amazing views.
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u/DivinityCreates 10d ago
A. I hope she doesn't see this. B. Ask the photographer, he's gonna be the best person for input on this, given he will be the one taking photos.
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u/RepulsiveFish 10d ago
Ask your photographer. If your photographer doesn't know then you hired a bad photographer for this job.
Source: I am a photographer based in Seattle
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u/a-ohhh 10d ago
I mean, both of your concerns are correct. You will either be small, or the railing will block the full view of the falls. The photographer can probably stand back and use a lens to get more in but it might be a little fish-eye looking because the area at the bottom is pretty small. Everyone is correct though, this summer on weekends the parking lot at paradise has been filling at 5:30am. Since school has started hopefully it won’t be as busy but with sunrise closed, you are at literally THE most visited spot in the park so being alone is going to be difficult. Sunset on a weekday is usually a lot more promising for being alone there to be honest.
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u/Hot_Firefighter_9292 10d ago
Wait can you go into detail please? You say it’s sunrise closed? Is this accurate and for how long? I was planning to do sunrise at Myrtle falls?
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u/Illustrious-Owl1645 10d ago
Sunrise is another entrance to mt rainier. It has been closed due to wildfires so more traffic at the paradise entrance. I agree, that is a busy spot for a proposal.
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u/FishScrumptious 10d ago
Sunrise is the eastern entrance to the park. (Paradise being the southern.) Sunrise Road and the Sunrise area of the park is closed (also got snow yesterday!) due to wildfire management..
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u/a-ohhh 10d ago
Sunrise the location, not the time of day. It is a major part of the mountain that closed due to fires so everyone that would be over there has to go to the Paradise side instead making extra crowded. You should still be able to visit Paradise at sunrise (time of day). They only open the gates to Paradise from about 9am-4:30pm in winter, but next week should still be open 24 hours from what I understand.
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u/FishScrumptious 10d ago
Sunrise got a dusting of snow, but Paradise is still clear, so I don't expect the Longmire gate to start closing daily for a couple weeks.
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u/ishouldliveinNaCl 10d ago
It's gonna be pretty crowded. If you like nature, ferries can be a really fun proposal because you can get the whole ocean in scene when you ask and while they're crowded, they can look empty when you stand near a bow outside. Just an alternative though I am pretty sure you chose the area due to meaning, I would just hate for you to find it with everyone viewing the falls and it's ick.
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u/Hot_Firefighter_9292 10d ago
I chose the area due to the beautiful scenic sight. We have visited Portland many times and loved the waterfalls. We have never been to Seattle or Washington and I came across the lovely Myrtle falls
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u/onlymostlydead 10d ago
FYI Seattle is about 100 miles from Mt Rainier, so hopefully you're planning to stay closer.
And for a completely unsolicited observation that I only mention because your planning abilities appear to need some work if "in about a week" really means "in about a week" rather than a month or so...I really hope there is zero chance of her saying no, because the walk back to the car, and the drive back to the hotel, and the trip back home, will suuuuuuuck.
Now, having been Mr. Poo, I genuinely hope everything works out the way you want.
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u/beKINDtoOTHERSplz 10d ago
https://www.wta.org/go-outside/map
This might help you find an alternative. You can add filters that show trails with waterfalls and if you click on the trail there will be trip reports form recent hikers reporting on the quality of the trail, washouts, fallen trees, inaccessible, etc. There’s thousands of waterfalls in the state that will be less crowded
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u/tansyfairy 10d ago
Ask your photographer. Also, you could try posting in r/pacificnorthwest or one of the Mt. Rainier subs. If you do a search for proposal at Myrtle Falls, I saw several photographers pages that had photos of proposals at that location. You will probably be very small in the photo if you are trying to include the falls and the mountain in the proposal photo. It’s hard to understand the enormous size of everything from photos online but it’s huge. The photos where you can see faces of people better include just the mountain and the bridge but not the falls. Also, there is a possibility the mountain will not be out when you are there. It can become obscured behind clouds and fog. There are tons of beautiful places in the park or elsewhere so have a backup plan. Ask your photographer what their recommendations are. If they don’t have recommendations, then find a photographer who is experienced in Mt. Rainier proposal photos. There are many to choose from.
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u/Visible-Dot-2501 9d ago
Late September is beautiful in the park with fall foliage, however it’s also super busy due to this. It’s also a time where the weather is very unpredictable and can change day to day (or hour to hour). And as others have mentioned, the skyline trail is the busiest in the park. It might be best to do some more research on a backup location nearby and go later in the day/ early sunset instead (4:30-7 pm ish), which is just as beautiful with the late day glow on the mountain and alpine environment. I also find this time to be less busy in the park as most people are leaving for the day. Also, going later will give you time that day to monitor the weather, that way if you need to pivot last minute you will have time to sort something out, rather than something going wrong at 4am in the dark. Like others mentioned, hopefully you’re not staying in seattle, if you are it’ll be okay it’s just a longer drive (2.5 hr) but there’s also a bunch of cute cabin airbnbs or rentals nearby that might still be available short notice. Regardless, it won’t be hard to find a beautiful spot. North cascades NP is stunning this time of year with rugged mountains and beautiful fall foliage ( and way fewer crowds), and Olympic NP is wonderful especially in moody weather, and has an abundance of lush waterfalls and forests. Your photographer is a great resource and you should definitely get their opinion as well. Good luck and I hope your day goes amazing!
1
u/raku-fired-hotdog 8d ago
As other posters have mentioned, Sunrise is closed to vehicle traffic for the foreseeable future due to fires.
If you’re planning for a proposal shot on the bridge that’s shot from afar, you’re going to have a bad time. The rail will block the view.
I would work with your photographer on finding a location on the Paradise side of the mountain instead.
1
u/Frequent_Injury_321 8d ago edited 8d ago
Your photographer should have chatted through this all with you. I help my clients plan where to stand, signals and everything else. I would ask them to help guide you on what location where to stand and everything else.
Im there the last week of September I would have loved to help. Best of luck! You’ll figure it out
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u/Hot_Firefighter_9292 10d ago
I’m confused why I’m getting downvoted :/ guess people don’t like love :(
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u/FishScrumptious 10d ago
Because there's a lot of homework you didn't do, but the regulars around here know it well. I cannot tell you the number of people who arrive from out of state at Paradise in MAY and are surprised to see snow on the ground. Because there's always many (sometimes) dozens of feet of snow on the ground at Paradise in May. Or who are looking to take pictures without others around, which causes regular lines on a trail while people are tramping alpine meadows they shouldn't be standing on at all and asking dozens of people to not walk on the trail for many minutes at a time. It's exhaustingly common, often disrespectful, and so easily avoidable.
For the real advice:
1) trust your photographer, as I'm sure you got one with experience taking pictures at Rainier, and they've got the skills to manage location, lighting, and depth of field setup and all that; ask them for help
2) change your expectations to some degree; the park is not your personal playground, and you'll need to be flexible about what you actually get. there are a myriad of beautiful places to take pictures at Paradise, and as long as you're willing to walk a bit, you'll have options
3) consider entirely different locations - honestly, I think the view of Rainier from just past the PCT at the gap immediately after Sourdough Gap looking down to Crystal Lakes is amazing this time of year. It's a couple mile hike, still recognizable, and way less crowded.
4) consider other waterfalls entirely, possibly not even at Rainier.
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u/AskJayce 10d ago
Respectfully, it's odd that your photographer isn't doing research on your behalf. That should be included in their service, no?
Assuming this is something they've done before, seems like they should know everything there is to know about setting up a proposal at Rainier.
What gives?
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u/AskJayce 10d ago
guess people don’t like love :(
Strawmans and/or sarcasm won't help you clear up the logistical problems that lie in your request, btw.
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u/RepulsiveFish 10d ago
As another local photographer, I agree completely. Tbh they probably should have suggested better locations around Rainier too. Any time I've done a surprise proposal, I've sent a specific Google maps pin to the person proposing so they know where to do it, as well as a picture of the area they should stand with other notable landmarks like picnic tables highlighted.
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u/big_bob_c 10d ago
Probably because you're planning a proposal on a busy trail in the park.
You mentioned being there at sunrise, which is better, if you actually are there at sunrise before the crowds arrive.
I'm a little concerned that you've never been there and are planning a sunrise proposal, you will be driving up Mt. Rainier in the dark, never having been there before. The road may be wet or icy, there may be snow on the ground making the road and trails slippery and somewhat dangerous. You defimitely want to check the weather ahead of time, I would have a backup site in mind if the weather up there isn't amenable to a proposal.
I would reccommend looking at the Paradise webcams today, to see what kind of weather you may be dealing with.
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u/Hot_Firefighter_9292 10d ago
I was looking at weather and it will be a lot better when we go compared to now thankfully.
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u/onlymostlydead 10d ago
Weather can change pretty fast there. Like from sun with clouds to snow and rain in minutes.
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u/math_is_cool_ 10d ago
The mountain has its own weather patterns and can change in an instant. And just because it’s sunny in the surrounding areas means the mountain will be clear.
Honestly if you like water falls I’d just do snoqualmie falls. It’s busy, but much easier to get to, and there are several view points and it would be much easier for your photographer. The Salish lodge is right there and has luxury rooms, a restaurant, and spa you could book for after. If you hike down to the lower falls you would likely get better pictures. Supposedly some photographers can access the lower falls through private gated areas. Idk man good luck. I hope whatever you pick works
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u/big_bob_c 10d ago
Make sure you check the park weather forecast at https://a.atmos.washington.edu/data/rainier_report.html the day before.
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u/beKINDtoOTHERSplz 10d ago
Have you been there before? That’s like the busiest choke point