#Nisqually Suspension Bridge

[mountrainiernps]

Mount Rainier National Park Archives Photo courtesy Phillip F Barrett of the Nisqually Suspension Bridge. A pedestrian bridge is faintly visible under the suspension bridge.

The Nisqually Suspension Bridge in Longmire is the only remaining timber-frame vehicle suspension bridge designed by the National Park Service. A pedestrian bridge had existed since 1911 but was replaced by a larger single-span suspension bridge in 1924 to connect Longmire to an area across the river that was developed as a campground. Superintendent Tomlinson described the newly completed bridge: “The bridge with its rustic towers supporting the cable suspension is a very fitting type of construction for a national park.” (HAER report No. WA-44).

The Nisqually Suspension Bridge was reconstructed in 1952 and 2005, using similar workmanship and materials to the earlier bridge. The Nisqually Suspension Bridge is a contributing structure in the Mount Rainier Historic Landmark District.

NPS Photos of the bridge in 1993 (top) and in 2021 (bottom).

The bridge is also part of the Longmire Historic Walking Tour. Stop in the Longmire Museum for a map of the walking tour or use the NPS App to follow the self-guided tour the next time you are in Longmire. Have you walked or driven over the Nisqually Suspension Bridge in Longmire?

#Historic Mount Rainier #mount rainier national park #Nisqually Suspension Bridge #Longmire #Longmire Suspension Bridge #bridge #suspension bridge #historic bridge #national historic landmark district

[pacificnorthwestquest]

Mount Rainier, Park 3!

The hike back down our trail was foggy and as beautiful as the way up! We saw several deer and lots of grouse who took up plenty of trail for the their small size! We also hiked to both Myrtle and Narada Falls to take in more of the glacier river that also make up the park. Fun fact- the milky blue gray color comes from "glacier flour", the term for the finer than sand sediment that travels along when the ice melts.

On our way down Paradise Valley Road we stopped at several scenic overlooks. One in particular showed Nisqually Glacier and where it had reached historically. As early as the 1890’s the glacier was noted to be receding and between 1896-2015 it lost over 20 square miles. This glacier is one of 29 in Mt Rainier and all have receded due to a warming climate.

As we weaved our way down mountain roads we reached the historic Longmire area of the park. When Mount Rainier was established as a national park in 1899 the town became its headquarters. The museum was built in 1916 as a main office and today houses exhibits on the geology and wildlife of the park. What is now the Longmire wilderness info building was another main admin building and is from 1930. We also checked out the National Park Inn, general store and transportation station exhibit. Finally we rode over Nisqually Suspension Bridge and wrapped a wonderful, if rainy, day!

[gerry518]

Mount Rainier National Park

At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the tallest volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range.  I finally had a chance to see this giant on May 31, 2019, when I drove for two-and-a-half hours from Vancouver to Mount Rainier National Park.  The park is huge, covering more than 200,000 acres, so I limited my visit to just the following few sites.

1. The Longmire area lies adjacent to the Nisqually River, about six miles from the park’s southeast entrance.  Here I found an old-time administration building, wooden suspension bridge and some great mountain views.

2. Narada Falls is at a higher elevation, along the Paradise River.

3. The park’s Paradise area is more than a mile above sea level.  Here I saw quite a bit of snow and ice on the ground, but the views were spectacular.

4. Inspiration Point lies on a road that had just been cleared of snow the week before my visit.

5. Reflection Lake is also on this same road.  During the months of July and August, when the lake has thawed, visitors can see Mt. Rainier reflected on the water’s surface.  Of course, when I was there, the lake was still covered with ice.

Below are ten photos from my day at the park.

[mountrainiernps]

“Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.” – Mary Schmich

As you pack your backpack and motor vehicle before heading out to the mountain, one thing to consider is sun protection.

Yes, it’s winter. The Pacific Northwest is known for its rainy, cloudy, foggy weather in the winter. That can be very true in the lowlands around the Puget Sound. But as you drive up into the mountains it can be a very different story.

Sometimes you drive up to Longmire and Paradise and you end up above the clouds. We can get a few winter inversions where it sets up sunnier up high then down near the Sound.

Paradise is also at a higher elevation, 5,420 feet above sea level. Your skin can be exposed to more solar radiation up here.

And one more thing, snow. Snow can be a great reflector of the sunshine.

So please, bring some sun protection. Sun screen, hats, sunglasses can be good options for protecting your eyes and skin.

What are some of your favorite sun protection options?

Is there something that you’ve found works great when you’ve spent a sunny day at Paradise?

Information on the 10 Essentials can be found on this website https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm  Park information on winter safety can be found here https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-safety.htm 

These photos are from years past and do not reflect current conditions. NPS Photo. View looking down the Nisqually River from the Longmire Suspension bridge with snow covering the rocks and banks. Evergreens line the banks and Sawtooth Ridge is in the background. A few clouds in a bright blue sky. February, 2020. NPS Photo. Looking up across the upper parking lot at Paradise towards the Old Station, and Guide House. Snow covers the meadows and Mount Rainier in the background. January, 2022. NPS Photo. Snow covered meadows in Edith Basin with snowshoe tracks leading away. Tatoosh Mountain Range in background with bright blue sky.

#mount rainier national park #mount rainier #winter #national parks #paradise #sun #snow

[mountrainiernps]

Longmire has much to offer winter visitors to the national park. The Longmire Museum is open daily with staff available to answer questions. The National Park Inn offers food and lodging. Plus the Inn has a great view of Mount Rainier from the front porch on clear weather days. The gift shop, next to the Inn, offers supplies and souvenirs. Across the road is the Trail of the Shadows, a 0.7 mile loop which has a wonderful view of Mount Rainier from the spur trail in the meadow on clear weather days.

And there’s one more spot for a superb view of the mountain on clear days; across the river by the Longmire Stewardship Campground. Closed for camping for the winter, the campground is available for folks wanting a walk in the woods with a possible mountain view. There is no trail, but you can follow the road, both the plowed and snow covered sides. Stay alert for park vehicles and snow plows that come through occasionally.

Getting to the Longmire Stewardship Campground does take you off the main park road. When you drive into Longmire, turn right at the Administration building (the big stone building with a flagpole out front). There’s parking available on the road sides going past the Administration Building as it goes uphill through park housing. If the road is plowed, you can continue driving up through the housing, to the “S” curve and then over the wooden suspension bridge. It can be nice to park by the administration building because then you can walk over this wooden bridge and listen to the Nisqually River.

Once over the suspension bridge, follow the road downriver to the Longmire Community building. Conditions permitting, there may also be parking available here. From the community building, you can start into the Longmire Stewardship Campground that’s directly beside it. Exploring this wintertime wood is a nice adventure especially for groups with smaller children.

When was the last time you crossed the Nisqually River in Longmire to take in a view of our mountain? Have you strolled or snowshoed through the campground? ~ams

For more information about the Longmire area in winter, you can start with this webpage https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/explore-longmire-in-winter.htm . For hours and contact information for the Longmire Museum https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/hours.htm . Winter weather can involve ice. For more on winter recreation, weather and safety  https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter.htm .

These photos are from years past. NPS/Spillane Photo. View of Mount Rainier over a snowbank near the Longmire Community building and stewardship campground. March, 2021. NPS/Loving Photo. Snow covered road in campground leading through forest. March, 2016. NPS/Loving Photo. Person walking on snowy road leading to wooden suspension bridge. November, 2019. NPS/Loving Photo. Open creek flowing through snow covered forest in campground. November, 2019.

#encuentra tu parque #find your park #snow #walk #national park #mount rainier #mount rainier national park

[mountrainiernps]

The historic Longmire Suspension Bridge is worth a walk any time of the year, but it is particularly picturesque in winter. The bridge stretches across the Nisqually River. Mount Rainier can be glimpsed from the bridge, or continue across and down the road to the Longmire Community Building, which has one of the best views of the mountain in Longmire. 

_________

NPS Video, filmed 11/26/19. Description: Snow falls lightly on a snow-covered wood suspension bridge surrounded by snowy trees. The bridge sways slightly as three people walk across. ~kl

#mount rainier national park #Longmire #Longmire Suspension Bridge #Mountain Moment #rustic architecture #historic bridge

[mountrainiernps]

It's all a cycle: rain helps refuel rushing rivers that flow out to sea, where the water evaporates to fall again as rain. View a small part of the cycle from the historic Longmire Suspension Bridge over the Nisqually River.

NPS Video. Description: Rain falls on a river rushing beneath a wooden suspension bridge. ~kl

#Mount Rainier National Park #Mount Rainier #Mountain Moment #Longmire #Longmire Suspension Bridge #Nisqually River #rain #water cycle

[mountrainiernps]

There’s river that runs through Longmire. Hidden behind the public buildings, staff residences, and maintenance yard, the Nisqually River rolls down its rocky channel on its way to the Puget Sound. The Nisqually River seems small but it’s forceful at times flowing with melted snow or glacier ice.

Across the river, is the old Community Building and the Longmire Stewardship Campground providing volunteers a place to stay during the summer.

The lone connection is a wooden bridge. Spanning from rock outcrop to rock outcrop, the Nisqually Bridge is a suspension bridge over chilly waters. A weight limit protects it from damage from heavy vehicles but you can stroll across it or drive in smaller motor vehicles. This historic bridge is a piece of history we can use and admire every day.

When was the last time you strolled across the Longmire bridge? ~ams

For more park history, visit https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/historyculture/index.htm

NPS/Spillane Photo. View from the Community Building looking up the Nisqually River to the Longmire Bridge. 2021. NPS/Spillane Photo. View looking across bridge. 2021. NPS/Spillane Photo. View looking upriver through parts of the Longmire Bridge at the Nisqually River. 2021.

#encuentra tu parque #find your park #mount rainier national park #national parks #history

[mountrainiernps]

The historic Longmire Suspension Bridge is worth a walk any time of the year, but it is particularly picturesque in winter. The bridge stretches across the Nisqually River. Mount Rainier can be glimpsed from the bridge, or continue across and down the road to the Longmire Community Building, which has one of the best views of the mountain in Longmire.

_________ NPS Video, filmed 11/26/19. Description: Snow falls lightly on a snow-covered wood suspension bridge surrounded by snowy trees. The bridge sways slightly as three people walk across. ~kl

#Mount Rainier National Park #Mountain Moment #Longmire Suspension Bridge #Longmire #historic architecture #Historic Bridge #winter

[mountrainiernps]

Mountain Moment: Nisqually Snow

Winter is all about water in its many forms. From moisture-laden clouds, to falling snow that blankets the landscape, to the rushing Nisqually River.

_______ NPS Video, filmed 2/19/19 from the Longmire Suspension Bridge. Description: Snow falls onto a river that flows past snowy banks and snow-covered rocks.  ~kl

#Mount Rainier National Park #mountain moment #Nisqually River #Longmire #winter #snow #water #water cycle

[mountrainiernps]

Even on a cold snowy day, it is hard to not enjoy the Longmire suspension bridge over the Nisqually River. Video taken 3/23/18. Description: A snow covered wooden bridge spanning a rushing river. NPS video. ~cf

#Mount Rainier National Park #Longmire #Bridge #Nature #Winter