Yakima Park
Errr. Sunrise Park these days. in the late 1800's till the 1930's there were many a mine claim and digging and blasting going on looking for gold, copper, whatever, but none of them really panned out so to speak. In the 30's the young park service took over with grand schemes of their own starting with a giant lodge that was never completed yet the beginnings of one still remains as a day lodge. They erected cabins to rent, put in a campground and facilities for such and roads...... a bustling oasis of activity with the side effect of destroying the meadows and supremely beautiful land. Then the park service decided that their mandate should be to preserve rather than promote and the arduous task of expunging and eradicating the damage began.
Today, at 6400 feet, it is the highest point that you can drive to, it is remote, home to hundreds of deer and elk, mountain goat and chipmunk and imho, the most amazing section of the park there is. If you come, come here. this is a must see, bring comfy boots and stay on the trails. It is open approximately late June/early July till the first snow, Late September/early October. A very tiny window for a very special place. They measure snowfall at Paradise which is 1000 feet lower and on the south side of the mountain with an average of 53 feet a year (a high of 93 feet) I'm guessing it's a wee bit higher here.
Yakima Park
Errr. Sunrise Park these days. in the late 1800's till the 1930's there were many a mine claim and digging and blasting going on looking for gold, copper, whatever, but none of them really panned out so to speak. In the 30's the young park service took over with grand schemes of their own starting with a giant lodge that was never completed yet the beginnings of one still remains as a day lodge. They erected cabins to rent, put in a campground and facilities for such and roads...... a bustling oasis of activity with the side effect of destroying the meadows and supremely beautiful land. Then the park service decided that their mandate should be to preserve rather than promote and the arduous task of expunging and eradicating the damage began.
Today, at 6400 feet, it is the highest point that you can drive to, it is remote, home to hundreds of deer and elk, mountain goat and chipmunk and imho, the most amazing section of the park there is. If you come, come here. this is a must see, bring comfy boots and stay on the trails. It is open approximately late June/early July till the first snow, Late September/early October. A very tiny window for a very special place. They measure snowfall at Paradise which is 1000 feet lower and on the south side of the mountain with an average of 53 feet a year (a high of 93 feet) I'm guessing it's a wee bit higher here.