Box Canyon, Mt. Rainier

Box Canyon, Mt. Rainier

Page Type Page Type: Album
Additional Information Image Type(s): Hiking, Informational, Scenery

General Information

Box Canyon, in Mt. Rainier National Park is very aptly named since it a geographical box canyon or a small ravine or canyon with steep walls on three sides and follows a zigzag course allowing access only through the mouth of the canyon. It is very unusual to have such a narrow, deep and steep walled canyon in a glaciated area. More typical are the huge U-shaped canyons like Stevens Canyon which was carved out of glaciers.

This canyon is located roughly halfway between Longmire and the Stevens Canyon Park Entrance and is open for access June to September depending upon snow melt. A .3 mile one-way mostly paved trail leads across a canyon bridge and down along the canyon and eventually splits off from the Wonderland Trail.

Just looking down at the narrow walls covered in green mosses, trees clinging precariously to the edge and smooth basalt while the river pulses down through the canyon is worth the one hour side trip.

Please feel free to add your own pictures if you have visited this amazing place.

Comments

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Viewing: 1-13 of 13
Romuald Kosina

Romuald Kosina - Jan 10, 2010 5:37 am - Voted 10/10

This...

This album is well prepared!!! There is a short written introduction and a proper numer of pictures (at least 15) is attached here. No doubts it is worth of a vote = 10!!! :-)
Of course, the presented place is very interesting and pictures are beautiful!!!
Such an album is good info on mountains!!!
Congrats!!!!!
Romek

silversummit

silversummit - Jan 10, 2010 9:27 am - Hasn't voted

Re: This...

Thanks Romek. I try to have my pictures make sense in an album. I really appreciate your words!

EricChu

EricChu - Jan 10, 2010 9:45 am - Voted 10/10

Congratulations for this album!

Your photos are excellent and very impressing!

silversummit

silversummit - Jan 10, 2010 11:01 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Congratulations for this album!

Thank you for your words. It is a fascinating place!

calebEOC

calebEOC - Jan 10, 2010 11:25 am - Voted 10/10

Very neat!

This is something I will have to see for myself, nice album and thanks for introducing me to this.

silversummit

silversummit - Jan 10, 2010 1:34 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Very neat!

You definitely should since you live in Washington. And thanks for looking!

MarkDidier

MarkDidier - Jan 10, 2010 6:34 pm - Voted 10/10

Nice!

Kathy,
Very nice album! I love these types of trails, right along plenty of white water. Thanks for sharing, and ...Happy New Year.
Mark

silversummit

silversummit - Jan 10, 2010 7:02 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Nice!

Hi Mark! It was a great little trail and that whitewater was something to see. I kept thinking that some daredevil would just love to go down that canyon.....

Thank you so much for noticing! And enjoy your trails in 2010 also!
Kathy

Dean

Dean - Jan 11, 2010 7:53 am - Voted 10/10

Love the area

I've been to the area many times and you've done a beautiful job of covering it (Box). My favorite camping area (family) is Ohanepecosh. We go there almost every year and will be there again this year. From there, you can explore the area very nicely.

silversummit

silversummit - Jan 11, 2010 8:34 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Love the area

This is a wonderful compliment coming from you Dean! We loved Ohanapecosh too but my husband doesn't really camp anymore so we stayed in a great little chalet in Ashford in the woods.

I hope to get back someday!

lcarreau

lcarreau - Jan 11, 2010 7:08 pm - Voted 10/10

Actually ...

The valley in which Box Canyon sits was carved by the Cowlitz Glacier, which retreated from the area 10,000 years ago.

Isn't there a "Box Canyon Picnic Area" nearby? Geez, I wish I was
sitting down on a picnic table there now. I'd probably be scarfing down a hot dog with some awesome potato salad (with pickles) on the side.

: ))

silversummit

silversummit - Jan 11, 2010 9:30 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Actually ...

True! The Box Canyon Wayside Area does have picnic tables and restrooms. It's a very nice! But you might have to eat your hot dog cold since I didn't see any grills.....

lcarreau

lcarreau - Jan 11, 2010 9:48 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Actually ...

Yes, if I was there right now, (in January), I guess my hot dog
would taste more like a cold dog.

But can't complain .. food always tastes better in the outdoors!

Viewing: 1-13 of 13