Located in Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier is the tallest peak in Washington state with a height of 14,411 ft (4,392.5 m) making it the highest point in Washington state.The locals refer to Mount Rainier as Tahoma or Tacoma as well, there is indeed some underlying history due to which the locals refer to this mountain by such names. Mount Rainier is actually an active stratovolcano, on top of that, it is located just 59 mi (95 km) away from the densely populated city of Seattle.Mount Rainier is arguably one of the most dangerous active stratovolcanoes in the world owing to its massive glacier cover. As the mountain peak is covered with glaciers, a volcanic eruption would lead to massive lahars which are capable of destroying almost anything and everything as they flow down from the volcano to the nearby plains. Interestingly, Mount Rainier is not only the highest mountain in Washington state, it is also the highest peak in the Cascade Range as well. The likes of Mount Adams and Mount Baker further follow Mount Rainier, respectively, in terms of height. Along with Mount Rainier, both these mountains comprise the three tallest mountains in Washington state. The terms ‘Tacoma’ and ‘Tahoma’ mean ‘place where the water begins’ and ‘snowy peak’, respectively, which led to the locals referring to this peak with such names. The fact that this mountain can be viewed from distant places such as Corvallis, British Columbia which is around 300 mi (482 km) away on a clear day emphasizes it being the highest peak in Washington by some margin.If you enjoy this article, why not also read about the tallest mountain from base to peak and the tallest mountain in Canada here on Kidadl?Fun Facts About The Tallest Mountain In Washington StateAfter years of research, scientists have concluded that Mount Rainier was once even taller than it is now. It probably had a height of around 16,000 ft (4877 m) but it came down to its current state owing to some major debris avalanche in the past. The latest volcanic eruption of Mount Rainier was recorded between 1820 and 1854, but the locals, on the other hand, claim that there has been eruptive activity until as late as 1894.Despite all these facts, it is still the most accessible glacier peak in Northern America. Over 8,000 climbers undertake the three-day climb to reach the summit of the mountain peak every year against the harsh weather conditions and the other odds as well. Additionally, the high elevation of this mountain doesn’t only attract climbers from all over the country as there are other fun activities too which one can enjoy during the summer and winter months. During winter, one can go snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, and even snowshoeing. On the other hand, activities like camping, fishing, and mountain biking are common among people who travel to the mountain during the summer months. As an interesting fact about this glacier peak, scientists say that there exists a small cave made up of rock, steam, and ice which is found below the summit and is referred to as the Coliseum. The scientists are now studying this grotto or cave for conditions similar to those found on planet Mars!Geographical Facts About Mount RainierOn the geographical front, it is one of the most iconic mountains located within the United States, and it ranks third among the 128 ultra prominent mountains peaks of the US. Of the 48 lower states, Mount Rainier is by far the most heavily glaciated peak with 26 major glaciers spanning across an area of 36 sq. mi (93 sq. km). The entire region here is covered with permanent snowfields and glaciers which again give rise to a number of rivers such as the Carbon, Puyallup, Mowich, Cowlitz, and Nisqually Rivers.This peak is located to the southeast of Seattle and to the east of Eatonville and not a lot of distance speaking leaps and bounds about the upset which could be caused if this volcano erupts. The presence of layers of glaciers on top of this glacier peak makes its eruption all the more dangerous. Depending on the intensity of the volcano eruption, it could largely impact the population of Seattle. At the broad top of Mount Rainier, there are three subsidiary summits known as the Columbia Crest, Point Success, and Liberty Cap in decreasing order of height.Facts About Climbing Mount RainierClimbing this snow-covered mountain on the Cascade range at an elevation of 14,411 ft (4,392 m) certainly excites the community of mountaineers. Thousands of enthusiasts every year make attempts of climbing this snow peak but it is only meant for the trained ones. A beginner certainly shouldn’t look towards scaling Mount Rainier as even if it isn’t among the top mountains in the world, it is certainly the highest mountain in Washington state and requires some expertise in rope skills.Unlike many other mountains on the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier can be climbed by as many as 20 different routes but irrespective of the route you choose, there is a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 ft (2,743 m), and on top of that, a traveling distance of more than 10 mi (16 km). Whether you are an experienced mountaineer or a novice on your second or third climb, the experience of scaling Mount Rainier is unparalleled and one of its kind. Of all the other peaks that lie in the Cascade Range, people often prefer to climb Mount Rainier owing to its staggering height and the view it offers from the very top.Facts About Mount Rainier’s Volcanic EruptionEven though Mount Rainier is supposedly one of the most dangerous active stratovolcanoes in the world, it hasn’t undergone any significant eruption in the last 500 odd years. However, this doesn’t change the fact that it is still potentially life-threatening and can prove to be disastrous for human civilization if it erupts. Around 150,000 people live on Mt Rainier on the land created by its volcanic flow. The massive height of the peak, frequent earthquakes, and excessive glacier presence add fuel to the fire and keep the locals on their toes regarding any sudden volcanic eruption.According to some recorded data, in the past centuries, Mount Rainier has alternated between some relatively quiet lava eruptions and some significantly explosive debris eruptions. The last time when officials recorded some sort of eruption was back in the late 19th century and there has been no activity ever since but scientists believe that the next eruption will be of large magnitude. This would cause havoc to the human settlement as well as the varied wildlife that exists in Mount Rainier.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 81 facts about the tallest mountain in Washington state, then why not take a look at facts about the tallest mountain in Colorado or the tallest mountain range?
Located in Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier is the tallest peak in Washington state with a height of 14,411 ft (4,392.5 m) making it the highest point in Washington state.
