#Ohanapecosh

[mountrainiernps]

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? 

NPS Photo of the dedication ceremony at Ohanapecosh Amphitheater August 30, 1964.

[emphatic-nomadic]

Ohanapecosh River

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Ohanapecosh Blue

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Ohanapecosh Forest

[ruknowhere]

I think this is Terwilliger Hot Springs

Spring in Oregon.

I was there in the 90's. Spectacular then.

My favorite hotsprings of all time was Ohanapecosh Springs on the river of the same name. It was in My Rainier NP. A lithium salts hot spring flowed into a pool which had been created by indigenous first nation peoples and used I think for centuries by them. Two huge boulders served as dams and protection from the mid day sun though sunrise/ sunset were enjoyed and view while soaking in the Milky water feeding into the crystal clear river water with a green hue from the volcanic rocks lining the river bed. About a mile from the springs is a spectacular accessible waterfalls and hiking a couple of hours more takes you into The Grove of The Patriarchs which is/was a small stand of some of the oldest trees standing on the mountain which is still an active volcano and should it erupt Seattle will be never the same. The trees when I first met them did not have the plank walkways which when I was last there now protect the roots. Without the planks a few trees died. Last I heard the trail was closed. The hotsprings was destroyed by the National Park Service after a failed court effort to protect them. The Park Service rationale was that the hot spring pool was not a naturally occuring feature and therefore could be taken apart. If you hike just a small ways outside of the Ohanapecosh campground and veer to the river when it says not to you can still find the lithium water flowing from the hill. It is a lovely, sad spot. I have been told the soaking pool actually was actually taken apart because of nude people using drugs and being lewd in a national park. I myself had the single best and most significant mushroom experience of my life there in 1983. Hope I did not contribute to the desecration of a holy space where many a vision quest happened. I soaked the springs at sunrise, meditated in the rocks of the water falls, hiked the gentle trail along creeks and the river, swam, hung out with the big trees till dusk, hiked back down in the dark with a small set of speakers at the top of my pack and an early generation Sony walkman streaming African drumming, an owl flew with me and sang a long the way for a while, I soaked again, meandered to my tent and motorcycled up the mountain the next day.

Of the nine major rivers in this region only the Ohanapecosh and Huckleberry are non Glacial.

We miss you Ohanapecosh.

Hot Springs

[rainierrestrooms]

Ohanapecosh Campground Visitor Center

Overall Score: 5.4

Usually I hate a warm restroom. I think it increases the unpleasant odor and makes the air thicker, which is the opposite of what you want in a bathroom. This time, however, it was about 45 degrees and rainy outside and the bathroom was perfectly heated in a way that it didn’t affect the overall smell and the atmosphere was actually quite pleasant. This bathroom had three stalls with one accessible one, very acceptable. The toilets are a dual flush (up for solid down for liquid waste) to reduce water waste. The toilet paper was only 1 ply, but however you fold or crumple it, it works just fine in a pinch. There is only one sink with a water saving tap, meaning you had to use your elbows and press down to activate the flow of water while washing one hand at a time. This can be a bit tedious and frustrating if you have a hot temper, but relax. You’re in the woods. You’re saving water. It’s all good. No hand dryers, just napkins, which I honestly prefer. It’s got that type of floor that gets wet and squishy if water accumulates on it, and those cheapo dryers that the parks budget can afford would most definitely yield this result. Feng shui 4.3/10. Not the kind of bathroom I'd like to stare at for long, but I wouldn’t mind hanging around for a couple extra seconds for the perfect heating and lack of strong odor. Cleanliness was acceptable, and every stall was stocked with the necessities. On a busy summer day i’m sure it gets jammed, but in may, it was lovely and private. 

#rainierrestrooms #bathroom #bathroomreview #mountrainier

[akoutdoors]

WA Campgrounds

Family

Leavenworth KOA Closest City: Leavenworth Best Time: All Year Link: https://koa.com/campgrounds/leavenworth/map/ .

Mt Rainier - Ohanapecosh Campground (or White River) Closest City: Ashford Best Time: Summer/Fall Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232465/availability .

Sequim Bay State Park Campground Closest City: Sequim Best Time: All Year Link: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/sequim-bay-state-park .

Mt. St. Helens - Seaquest State Park Camping Closest City: Castle Rock Best Time: All Year Link: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/seaquest-state-park .

Lake Wenatchee State Park Closest City: Leavenworth Best Time: All Year Link: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/lake-wenatchee-state-park .

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground Closest City: Port Angeles Best Time: All Year Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251906 .

Lake Chelan State Park Closest City: Chelan Best Time: Summer/Fall Link: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/lake-chelan-state-park

Others

Baker Lake Campgrounds Closest City: Concrete Best Time: Summer/Fall - Horseshoe Cove Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232059 - Panorama Point Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232081 - Swift Creek Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233297 - Bayview Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/272068 .

Diablo Lake Campgrounds Closest City: Rockport Best Time: Summer/Fall - Colonial Creek North Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/246855 - Colonial Creek South Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/255201 .

Kalaloch Campgrounds Closest City: Forks, Washington Best Time: Summer Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232464 .

Quileute Oceanside Campgrounds Closest City: Forks, Washington Best Time: Summer Link: https://quileuteoceanside.com/accommodations/

Useful Links:

https://daleyfamilytravels.com/2019/10/04/north-cascades-national-park-with-kids/

https://www.outdoorproject.com/travel/complete-guide-baker-lake

[above-the-tree-line]

AUGUST 14, 2023, PANHANDLE GAP, OHANAPECOSH PARK, INDIAN BAR, THE COWLITZ DIVIDE

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Ohanapecosh River, Mt Ranier National Park

[wepanam]

Old growth campground in the foothills of Mount Rainier (at Ohanapecosh Campground) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmmq1qrPdyh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mountrainiernps]

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?

NPS/C. Roundtree Photo of Ohanapecosh Falls, 2012. ~kl

[emphatic-nomadic]

Ohanapecosh River

[pnw-forest-side]

Watch your head 

[frommylimitedtravels]

Along the Ohanapecosh River - Silver Falls

[alackofcolor623]

Ohanapecosh River • • #ohanapecosh #ohanapecoshcampground #washingtonstate #douglasfir #mountrainiernationalpark #nationalpark #pnw #hike #goodmorning #ig_brilliant #mountain #mountrainier #ig_naturelovers #igers #igdaily #nature #optoutside #naturelovers #pacificnorthwest #firtree #pacificnorthwestisbest #wanderwashington #washington #nature_brilliance #nature_perfection #nationalparkgeek #ohanapecoshriver #relection #blue #river (at Ohanapecosh Campground) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaSVcQULmsF/?utm_medium=tumblr

[deactivatedxq83]

Some of my favorite photos from a camping trip in Ohanapecosh.

Near Mt. Rainier, WA