Last summer, we went on a hike and camping in Mount Rainier National Park, and it was an incredibly fun experience. Moreover, the highlight of the trip was watching the Perseid meteor shower at night. ☄️🌌

Skyline Trail Hike Tips:
🌐 Timed Entry: This summer NPS has introduced Timed Entry for Mount Rainier National Park due almost 40% increase in the footfall. It’s a great step to protect the delicate balance of its ecosystem.

This pass is great for campers and hikers because finding a good parking spot is not easy especially during peak season. Plus, you need an early start for hiking to avoid the summer heat.

😃 But if you’re visiting this place to admire its beauty, and enjoy nature, I recommend visiting after the timed entry hours.

You will get ample time to enjoy the surroundings without any stress or Traffic Jam! We did the same in Rocky Mountain National Park and had an amazing time!

⏰ Timed entry reservations - required for both Paradise and Sunrise Corridors starting May 2024 and is available to book on the www.recreation.gov website.
🤩 No timed entry reservations are needed to enter BEFORE 7 a.m. or AFTER 3 p.m.
💰 Reservation costs - $2, allows a 2-hour entry window, and is for one vehicle.
⛺️ Lodging or camping reservation holders can enter the corridor ANY TIME AFTER 1 p.m. on their first day.

🚶‍♀️Starts from📍Paradise Visitor Center
Key highlights of our weekend trip:
00:44 - Beginning our hike from Paradise Visitor Center
01:25 - Myrtle Falls
01:57 - Useful tips for your hike
03:29 - Reflection Lake
03:35 - Narada Falls
03:50 - Mineral Lake Lions Den Camground
04:25 - Kayaking at Mineral Lake (Lakeside Kayak Rentals)
05:16 - Evening by the lake
06:03 - Morning time at mineral lake
07:07 - Alder lake
07:19 - Rail Cycle Mount Rainier

✅Campsite details:
⛺️Campsite - Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground https://minerallakelions.com/
👉 Cost - $62 (with electricity for 4 people)
📍Located next to a freshwater lake, the view was gorgeous and was just 1 hour away from Mount Rainier
🐻 We didn’t encounter any wild animals but we did hear some calls in the wee hours.

✅ Camping Checklist
List of things that I found extremely useful and some useless stuff I carried:

USELESS ONES 🙅‍♀️
👉 Air mattress - I found the air mattress quite uncomfortable as it was extremely bouncy and my friend’s one got deflated now and then. I slept just with my sleeping bag and felt much more comfortable.
👉 Firestarter - This didn’t come into use as we used paper for starting the fire and that worked perfectly. So if you’re planning to buy this, I recommend using paper or small wood chips instead.
👉 Toothpaste - I’m not sure how campers brush as there was no sink on any of the campsites or in the washrooms.

USEFUL STUFF 🙋‍♀️
👉 For your comfortable stay:
• Tent - I used @colemanusa 2-person sundome. It just took 10 minutes to assemble and set up.
• Sleeping bag for two with pillows. This was slightly cushioned, hence we didn’t feel the ground much.
• Lantern for tent
• Hammer

👉 Food
• Reusable Plates, cutlery, glasses & bowls to reduce waste.
• Trash bag for your trash
• Ready to eat food like noodles, oats etc.
• Electric kettle or heating coil.
• Barbecue forks, scissors & Knife

👉 Good to have
• Bug spray
• Bear spray
• Sunscreen
• Fresh pair of socks (for night as it might get cold)
• Insulated Jacket
• Camping chair
• Picnic mat
• Firewood
• Trail mix
• Coffee/ tea sachets

✨ Travel Essentials: List of things that I carry on my trips and highly recommend.
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🎒 7 Essential Tips for traveling light:
1. Use packing cubes to pack your luggage efficiently.
2. Group the items and divide them into separate cubes.
3. Roll your clothes instead of folding.
4. Carry minimal products - like using moisturisers with sun protectant.
5. Reuse clothes and wear the bulky ones during transit and keep the light ones in the bag.
6. Carry reusable cutlery and utensils to avoid trash
7. Carry reusable water bottle

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