The Sierra Club and Our National Parks

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mt. Rainier peak, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park, with over 235,000 acres of protected area, is a jewel of our national parks system. With the Cascade Volcanoes, Mount Rainier Peak, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Baker and Glacier Peak; Spotted Owl, Chinook salmon, Columbian black-tailed deer, Douglas squirrels, Mount Rainier is a haven for many species and an area that must be protected as part of our natural heritage for future generations. But coal pollution and development threaten Mount Rainier.

Carbon River Road, one of the main access points to the park, continues to blow out frequently. The park service would like to rebuild the road, but the development of this road would upset the delicate ecosystem that lies inside Mount Rainier. We must take action now before it is too late.

Over the years, the Sierra Club has played a major role in protecting Mount Rainier and making sure that we preserve it for future generations. The Sierra Club, along with partners at the National Parks Conservation Association, Washington Wildlife Federation and Northwest Environmental Defense Center, filed a petition with the Interior Department asking them to address brown haze pollution from the TransAlta Coal Plant which has become a serious problem affecting the pristine beauty of Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State. On top of this, the Sierra Club continues to fight against the reconstruction of the Carbon River Road by urging the permanent closure of the road.

Trails To Enjoy In This Park

Grove of the Patriarchs

Rampart Ridge

Tolmie Peak

GPS Coordinates

46°51'N 121°45'W