SEATTLE, Wash. – When Seattleites tell you that “the mountain is out,” that means to look south to admire a view of Mount Rainier, the highest peak in the Cascade Mountains and the highest mountain in Washington (14,410 feet).

Mount Ranier. Image by Tom Adkinson.

It may look almost close enough to touch on especially clear days, but it’s more than 50 miles south of the city. The namesake of Mount Rainier National Park is an active volcano, and its last magmatic eruption was about 1,000 years ago, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Six major rivers have their headwaters on the massive mountain. The national park is open year-round, and activities include hiking, fishing, boating, bicycling and wildflower photography.

Trip-planning resources: NewZealand.com/us/milford-sound