#ohanapecosh

Today is World Art Day! National parks have inspired many artists. Art can capture a moment in time and a sense of place. This painting by Juanita Albright shows the Ohanapecosh Patrol Cabin. This cabin no longer exists, but one way it is remembered is through this artwork (all of the cabins at Ohanapecosh were removed by the early 1960s). Have you had a similar experience in the park of a place you would like to remember? How would you portray it? Share your own artwork of Mount Rainier National Park!

Sixty years ago today on August 30, 1964, ceremonies were held to dedicate the new Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and to mark the conclusion of all planned Mission 66 development at Ohanapecosh. Despite the rain, some 325 people participated. A formal program at the Ohanapecosh Amphitheater was shortened due to the weather but included enthusiastic remarks by Senator Henry M. Jackson. Then everyone adjourned to ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the visitor center. The 21st Army Band out of Fort Lewis was on hand to provide the music, and the Packwood Community Club and wives of park service employees provided coffee and cookies. Several visitors went over to view the utility and residential loop, where construction on the new ranger’s house, duplex, and seasonal employee apartments was nearing completion.

In his monthly report for August, Superintendent Rutter noted, “…reaction to the visitor center complex has been very favorable. The tasteful blend of architecture and landscaping, together with the well done exhibit series, is a credit to the National Park Service.”

To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service in 1966, the “Mission 66” program was created to improve parks across the country. Mount Rainier was the first park to prepare plans for development under Mission 66, with goals to protect fragile landscapes, while also providing facilities for day-users, increasing low elevation camping, and improving employee housing. In 2024 the park’s cultural resource team submitted a determination of eligibility to the Washington State Historic Preservation Office to document these historic resources at Ohanapecosh and recognize this important period in the park’s history.

What memories do you have from visits to Ohanapecosh? 

Landscape Language

Punchbowl (adj) – a type of waterfall with a narrow stream channeled into a plunge pool

Also known as “plunge” waterfalls, a punchbowl waterfall drops into a pool shaped like a punchbowl. At Mount Rainier, an impressive two-tiered example of this is Ohanapecosh Falls, which drops nearly 70 feet in total. This waterfall can be viewed during the summer by following the Eastside Trail north of the Grove of the Patriarchs. Have you visited this waterfall in the past or have examples of other punchbowl waterfalls found in the park?

So why think about waterfalls and hikes? Because this is a great time to scope out possible trails for next spring and early summer. Those are the time of year when waterfalls are at their best. Planning now can put you on the trail next May or June for some good waterfall hiking.

One of the park’s eastside gems is Silver Falls. It can be hiked as a loop starting from the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (now closed for the winter). Roundtrip the loop is about 3 miles with 300 feet of elevation gain. Starting from behind the visitor center in the day use parking, you can follow the trail up the Ohanapecosh River on the east side, hiking through the gorgeous, big trees that have found shelter in this valley. You’ll cross Laughing Water Creek a short distance before reaching the view point for Silver Falls. After crossing the wooden bridge over the Ohanapecosh River (with a great view), the loop continues south down the west side of the river. Returning through the campground, you cross the road bridge back to the day use parking.

Did you hike Silver Falls trail this spring or summer? When is your favorite time to visit Ohanapecosh? ~ams

Facilities at Ohanapecosh are already closed for winter. https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/hours.htm Please check before going to see what is available. The park and Washington DOT close State Route 123 during the winter at the park’s southern boundary. Check road conditions in the park https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/road-status.htm and with WSDOT https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses before you leave home. For more information on the Silver Falls Trail https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/silver-falls.htm.

While subalpine meadows remain locked in snow, numerous wildflowers are blooming in the low elevation forests of Ohanapecosh. Take your time along the easy Hot Springs Nature Trail or Silver Falls Trail to view some of these flowers. One wildflower that can be easy to overlook is Hooker’s fairybell (Disporum hookeri). These shy flowers have large white blooms that hang from the branches underneath the leaves. The leaves serve as umbrellas, with parallel veins that channel rainwater off the tips of the leaves, protecting the flower.

For updates on what’s blooming where check out https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflower

Not familiar with Mount Rainier’s wildflowers? Explore the Wildflower Guide at https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflowerGuide

Mountain Moment: Ohanapecosh River

Fed by snowmelt, the Ohanapecosh River stands out from other glacier-fed rivers in the park with its blue-green waters. The river flows along the southeastern side of the park through a forested valley and cuts through the heart of the Ohanapecosh Campground. Have you camped along the Ohanapecosh River?