Day 2:Mt. Rainer National ParkMt. Rainier is encased in more than 35 square miles of snow and ice! This National Park is also blanketed by old-growth forests, alpine meadows, shimmering lakes, and rushing waterfalls. Your guide will share the natural and cultural history of Mt. Rainier, from the medicinal properties of native plants to the geological forces that produced this imposing monolith. This isn’t just another driving tour of a National Park—we prefer to keep travelers outside the vehicle for walks and exploration. Stroll through the old-growth forests near Longmire, where Douglas fir, hemlock, and cedar trees dwarf visitors and the bubbling of natural springs fill the crisp air. Experience waterfalls and big mountain views as you wind to higher elevations. Take advantage of Paradise’s legendary snowfalls on an introductory snowshoe trail or pick wild berries on a sub-alpine summer hiking trail. Throughout the tour your guide will mix fascinating insights with opportunities for solitude as you come to appreciate Mt. Rainier’s pristine wild side. We bring lots of food, coffee, tea, and pastries!
Duration: 8:00 am to 6:30 pm | 10.5 hours
Highlights:
Activity choices and pace are guest-influenced—we build our experiences around you!
Embark on interpretative nature walks or snowshoe walks (winter) led by a naturalist guide
Savor a fresh, local, family-style lunch
Explore diverse & stunning environments that include old-growth trees, springs, lakes, rivers, valleys, glaciers, and flower-strewn mountain meadows (summer)
Journey to Paradise to take in views of the mountain, wildflowers in the late summer, massive snowfalls in the winter (one of the snowiest places on the planet!), and a world-class visitor center
Learn about the natural history of Mt. Rainier and the other active volcanoes of the Cascade Range
Feel the cool mist of Christine Falls, Narada Falls, or other waterfalls as they tumble over rocky cliffs
Watch for Black-tail deer, Roosevelt elk, black bears, Cascade red foxes, birds, and more
Day 3:Snoqualmie Falls & Washington WineSnoqualmie Falls & Washington Wine
Experience the essence of Washington’s wild beauty and independent spirit on this journey to Snoqualmie Falls and Woodinville Wine Country. Start your day at Snoqualmie Falls where you’ll watch the powerful waters plunge 268 ft. into the river canyon below. The waterfall is nestled in the evergreen forests of the Cascade Mountains, which cut across the state and divide the lush coastal climates of the West from the dry regions of the East. Your guide will use these evocative settings to tell stories of Snoqualmie tribe members who lived off these lands and settlers who fought to tame the wild environment with agriculture and logging. After exploring the Falls, you’ll travel northwest to Woodinville Wine Country for a gourmet picnic lunch and wine tastings at 2-3 wineries that deliver on elegance but leave pretense at the door. Learn to sip like a sommelier with a fun lesson on wine tasting techniques and the flavor profiles of different varietals. Meet passionate wine makers and hear the processes used to craft the wine in your glass. Experience Woodinville’s tight-knit community and taste award-winning wines that are rarely found outside of the state. Washington is the second biggest wine-producer in the country but exports only 1% of its wine! From trails to terroir, you’ll come away with an understanding of how Washington wine is intertwined and influenced by its dramatic surroundings and captivating natural history
highlights
Hear the thundering roar of Snoqualmie Falls from upper and lower viewpoints
Compare tasting notes as you try 4 to 6 wines at two or three beloved Washington wineries (two wineries during winter months, three wineries during summer months)
Visit boutique wineries with intimate and relaxed settings, such as William Grassie Wine Estates, Martedi Winery, Quiddity Wine, Patterson Cellars, JM Cellars, or others
Meet the winery owner or winemaker and hear the unique story of what it means to make wine in the urban Washington wine region.
Learn about the arts of viticulture, wine making, and wine tasting