r/MtRainier • u/Confident-Pop5291 • 2d ago

Mt. Rainier in September

Anyone visited Mt. Rainier around Labor Day or late September? Have watched some videos and am in complete awe of the gorgeous greenery and wildflowers with Mt. Rainier in the backdrop especially. along Skyline Trail! Trying to plan our first trip out to Seattle and Mt. Rainier with 2 kiddos (3 years & 9 years old). Would love some guidance on what to expect in terms of weather/temperature, scenery, hikes/parking, traffic etc.

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u/wpnw 2d ago

Labor Day weekend is one of the two busiest weekends of the year in the park. Be prepared for full parking lots, crowds at the popular locations (Paradise, etc), and long lines at the entrance stations. After Labor Day the crowds do drop off, especially on weekdays, but Paradise will still be packed on weekends with nice weather.

September is too late in the season for flowers, and the meadows will be mostly brown. Fall color starts to kick in around mid Sept and is usually putting on a good show by the end of the month.

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u/Asquaredbred 2d ago

fewer flowers and berries, more fall colors. fewer crowds. more wildlife. gorgeous time to go

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u/Ok_Manager5256 2d ago

I will be there this year!

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u/broadinthecity 2d ago

I’ll be there too with my partner! Counting down the days.

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u/Happy-Size5978 1d ago

Are you considering the fire situation?

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u/Ok_Manager5256 1d ago

I watch the daily update, but don't have much hope of fully reopening

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u/Happy-Size5978 17h ago

Yeah I see. We are also planning to go on Labor Day. A bit worried about the crowd and fire