Category 202 destination rainier

A Supplement to the niSquAlly VAlley newS

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A supplement to the Nisqually Valley News - De s t i n at i o n Ra i n i e R 2015 • 3

Six Words Why We’re Here and not There ......................................... 4

South Sound Speedway ........................... 5

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm ........ 6

Offut Lake Resort and Fishing in the Valley ................................ 7

Wolf Haven International .......................... 8

Tenino ..................................................... 9

Rainier ...................................................10

Yelm-Tenino Trail ....................................11

Yelm Parks .............................................12

Yelm Activities .......................................13

Red Wind Casino and Nisqually Indian Tribal Center .................14

Tenino and Yelm Farmers Markets ...........15

Best Food in the Nisqually Valley ................................ 16-17

Nisqually Valley Map ........................ 18-19

Northwest Trek ......................................20

Pioneer Village .......................................21

Elbe .......................................................22

Ashford ..................................................23

Mount Rainier ...................................24-26

Calendar of Events ............................ 27-34

Gateway to Paradise is an annual publication of the Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, Washington. EDITOR & PUBLISHERMichael Wagar

AD MANAGERAngie Evans, Yelm360-960-1500

SALES REPRESENTATIVEJenn Harshfield, Yelm 360-960-1501Tabitha Johnson, Yelm 360-960-1509

WRITERSTyler Huey, Assistant EditorSteven Wyble, ReporterJenna Loughlin, Reporter

DESIGN EDITORNicole Kiourkas PRODUCTIONBrian Edwards

To request copies of Gateway to Paradise for your location, or for advertising or editorial information, call the Nisqually Valley News at 360-458-2681, or email [email protected]

COPYRIGHTDestination Rainier and its contents are copyrighted by the Nisqually Valley News in Yelm and Lafromboise Communications, Inc.Photo by Mike Centioli

Mount Rainier’s majestic peak is viewable from across Horseshoe Lake at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

ABOUT THIS PUBL ICATION

Table of Contents

4 • De s t i n at i o n Ra i n i e R 2015 - A supplement to the Nisqually Valley News

Six Words

Peace and quiet of country living. Jennie Beaudin

Generous community, idyllic setting, abundant history. Lisa Cadero-Smith

Community. Room to grow (families). Eclectic. Unique. Debra Caudill

The beauty that surrounds us. Michelle Boyer Christin

Most beautiful spot in my world. Jennifer Harshfield

You’re always at home in Yelm. Jacilyn Leach

No place like home. Beautiful. Ralph Shultz

Changing perspectives, Mount Rainier always pleases. Cindy Teixeira

Majestic mountain, quality people, convenient location. Andy Wolf

Photo Courtesy of University of Washington Libraries Special Collections

John Muir and his climbing party are photographed at the summit of Mount Rainier in 1888. When locals describe what they love about living in the Nisqually Valley, the majority list Mount Rainier. Others point to our deep history. If you want to learn more about the history of our area, go to the Yelm Historical Museum, which includes a fabulous collection on early mountain climbing (for details turn to page 13).

Come See Where Your Food Comes From…

40400 Harts Lake Valley Rd. • Roy, WA 98580 • 360-458-7774www.wilcoxfarms.com

Wilcox Farms offers something rarely available in today’s egg farm industry, which is more often than not dominated by large corporations. Wilcox sustainable, family farm is devoted to producing fresh and local egg products. We achieve this by providing friendly service coupled with quality production.

We offer tours of our 1600 acre farm so our customers can actually see where their food is produced. Our farm is one of the only “working farms” left that is available to the public. The Wilcox family thanks Yelm and surrounding communities for all its support over the last 100 years.

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Here are some of our great products that are available …

Organic Large Shell Eggs

Organic Hardboiled Eggs

Cage Free White Large Eggs

Organic Omega Large Shell Eggs

Can you describe the place you love in just six words? That was the challenge we gave readers of the Nisqually Valley News recently, to describe the Nisqually Valley in just six words. Here are some of the best our readers sent.


MaySaturday, 23 — Late Model,

Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Bumblebees

Sunday, 24 — Late Model, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Bumblebees

Saturday, 30 — Super Late Model 100, Legends, Baby Grands, Stinger 8

JuneSaturday, 6 — Mini Stocks,

Hobby Stocks, Stinger 8, Vintage Modifieds, Super 4

Saturday, 13 — Late Model, Bumblebees, Legends, Baby Grands, Dad’s $5

Saturday, 20 — Super Late Model Twin 50’s, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Stinger 8

Saturday, 27 — Winged Sprint Cars, Late Model, Legends, Midgets, Baby Grands

JulySaturday, 4 — Fireworks. Super

Late Model 125, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Super 4, Bumblebees

Saturday, 11 — Late Model Legends with Columbia River Legends, Baby Grands, Midgets, Stinger 8

Saturday, 18 — Big Rigs, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Bumblebees

Saturday, 25 — Super Late Model Twin 50’s, Legends, Baby Grands, Stinger 8

augustSaturday, 1 — Late Model 75

Laps, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Super 4

Saturday, 8 — Super Late Model Miller 200, Legends with Columbia River Legends, Bumblebees

Saturday, 15 — Late Model, Baby Grands, Mini Stocks, Stinger 8, Super 4, Kids under 15 free

Saturday, 22 — Winged Sprint Cars, Midgets, Hobby Stocks, Baby Grands, Bumblebees

Saturday, 29 — Super Late Model 100, Mini Stocks, Stinger 8, Outlaw Compacts

septeMberSaturday, 5 — Dennis Smitham

Memorial time in, Legends regional qualifier, Vintage

Modifieds, Baby GrandsSunday, 6 — Dennis Smitham

Memorial 100, Legends, Vintage Modifieds, Baby Grands

Saturday, 12 — Super Late Model 100, Mini Stocks, Bumblebees, Legends, Outlaw Compacts

Saturday, 19 — Late Model, Hobby Stocks, Baby Grands, Stinger 8, Super 4

Saturday, 26 — Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Bumblebees, Legends, Vintage Modifieds

The back gate opens at 1 p.m., front gate opens at 4:45 p.m., qualifying at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Races end at about 10 p.m.

By Nisqually Valley News

For the gearheads in our midst, the South Sound Speed-way just off Interstate 5 at Roch-ester offers a racing season full of roaring engines and more than a crash or two.

The .375 mile oval race track includes a figure eight course with racing most Saturdays through September.

The South Sound Speedway, located at 3730 183rd Avenue S.W. in Rochester, can be ac-cessed by taking Exit 88 and go-

ing east on Old Highway 99.Most races take place on

Saturdays, although there are a few on Sundays. Perhaps the highlight of the racing season is on July 4 when a fireworks show takes place along with the races.

The ticket windows open at 4:45 p.m. The track takes only cash or checks; no credit cards are accepted. Pit passes can be purchased as well starting at 1 p.m. on race day.

After each event, the pit opens to the public for free, al-lowing race fans to inspect the cars and meet the drivers.

While there make sure to take in the “Seattle Million Dol-lar Toilets” in the pit area.

The track offers a full slate of food and drinks, including ice cold beer, at two separate con-cession areas.

Camping is also available, al-

though no campfires are allowed.For the racing VIP, you can

rent a suite for a group of peo-ple as the track has 16 VIP sky boxes.

For more information: 360-273-6420 or www.southsound-speedway.com.

South Sound Speedway Revs Up for Racing

South Sound Speedway Special eventS

South Sound Speedway 2015 Schedule

June 27 — Winged Sprint Cars

July 4 — Huge Fireworks Show

July 18 — Big Rigs

Aug. 8 — Super Late Model Miller 200

Aug. 22 — Winged Sprint Cars

Sept. 6 — Dennis Smitham Memorial 100

Nisqually Valley News File Photo

Chad Hinkle’s number 13 car caught fire on the backstretch of lap 35 during a past Street Stock race at South Sound Speedway. Hinkle was leading the race at the time of the fire. South Sound Speedway, located at the beginning of the Gateway to Paradise just south of Tenino, offers racing on Saturdays through September.


Perfecting Cider


Get those tastebuds going on the way to Mount Rainier with a visit to Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm, located a few miles east of Interstate 5 and north of Tenino at 9402 Rich Road SE.

Like many other tried and

true attractions around the area, Lattin’s is a small, family-owned farm that has been cul-tivating and perfecting its cider since 1976. The apples used in the cider-making process are purchased directly from the same high-quality growers each year, then stored at a controlled temperature to preserve its crispness.

The family and their em-ployees sorts, washes and cuts each apple by hand — which amounts to up to 75 tons of apples a day during peak times, and translates to 4,000 gallons of fresh cider in one week.

To take a look into the pre-cise process of creating Lattin’s own specific tastes of ciders:

The apples are ground and pressed, pasteurized and bottled immediately but no additives, preservatives or sweeteners are added.

Once it’s time to test the product, there is only one way — to take that first sip.

Although apple cider is Lat-tin’s claim to fame, the mill also produces cider from strawber-ries, blackberries and raspber-ries, and they even add a kick to some apple ciders to make spiced ciders.

Patrons aren’t limited to pur-chasing true Lattin’s cider from the mill itself, as the cider can be found throughout the Puget Sound.

However, a stop into the mill gives the viewer and taster the bigger picture of what Lattin’s is all about, as there is much more going on than just the cider pro-duction. Visitors can wander about the flower and vegetable gardens, enjoy a picnic com-plete with cider to drink, and even feed baby farm animals — goats, chickens, roosters, calves, bunnies, lambs and pigs.

Lattin’s also offers a year-round maze and play area for kids.

But wait, there’s more. Lat-tin’s farmers market provides a spread of Eastern Washing-ton fruit, farm fresh eggs, fruit syrups, dried fruit, honey, jam, smoked salmon, Johnson’s Smokehouse meat and cheese products, crisp apples and ready-to-bake frozen pies. Lat-tin’s also sells pastries and do-nuts, baked fresh daily. Apple fritters are available Fridays be-fore noon and all weekend.

There is something to look forward to with each season. In the fall, Lattin’s hosts its own Apple Festival where partakers can enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides to a pumpkin patch, the maze as well as bluegrass mu-sic, starting Sept. 26. The win-tertime brings with it Lattin’s Winter Wonderland, where every December the mill and farm boasts thousands of lights, freshly cut Christmas trees and Christmas cookies — and, of course, cider.

n For information: 360-491-7328, lattinscider.com.


Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm hosts its annual Apple Festival and Pumpkin Patch starting Sept. 26.

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm Offers Much More Than Juice

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A longtime attraction for lo-cal and out-of-town fishermen alike, Offut Lake Resort just a few miles north of Tenino of-fers everything an angler could need or want no matter what level of experience — equip-ment, lures, fishing docks and boats, and even a fishing li-cense.

All of this is found on the scenic and peaceful 200-acre Offut Lake, which is open for year-round fishing.

The small, family-owned re-sort located on the south shore of the lake also provides camp-ing and rustic cabins as well as a general store. The campground has RV sites with fire pits, free WiFi, access to cable TV, water, electric and sewer.

Two tent areas are also available near the lake, beneath which a soft cedar bed lies. Cars

and pets are not permitted, and a 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the grounds. Additionally, only electric boat motors are al-lowed.

Anglers of all expertise lev-els will be likely to catch trout, as the resort raises them in net pens.

Visitors are welcome to park their cars and even bring pets to the pet-friendly area far-ther back in the park.

In addition to its other ame-nities, Offut Lake Resort has showers in the campground restroom facilities as well as a laundry room and a day-use picnic shelter for groups. A two-night minimum stay is re-quired for the weekends and three-night stay is required on holiday weekends.

n For information: 360-264-2438, www.offutlakere-sort.com.

The lakefront restaurant Lady of the Lake, located at the resort, serves fine dining in the spirit of Washington state cui-sine. For information: 360-264-3474, www.theladyofthelake.net.

Beyond Offut Lake, the way to Mount Rainier provides a plethora of other fishing spots, as the Nisqually Valley and surrounding area is one of the

country’s prime locations for anglers, abundant with lakes and rivers.

Perhaps the most popular lake in the area lies in Mineral (Mineral Lake) because of its success rate for fishermen year after year.

Anglers eager to try other spots could also turn their equipment to trout-heavy lakes in Thurston County: Lake St. Clair (tens of thousands of rain-bow and brown trout), Lake Lawrence or McIntosh Lake.

Even closer to Mount Rain-ier in Pierce County, several lakes have been stocked with trout: Clear, Harts, Kapowsin, Ohop, Silver, Spanaway, Tan-wax and Rapjohn. Clear and Ohop are considered the best locales in Pierce County.

Once in Mount Rainier, the fishing opportunities only con-tinue with the sight of large and small rivers and lakes found in the woods and hills. One op-tion is Alder Lake, a 2,931-acre body of water that’s open year-round. You can catch rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee,

largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and bullhead cat-fish.

Formed by the Nisqually River reservoir five miles south of Eatonville, the lake is found just below the Ashford entrance to Mount Rainier on Highway 7.

n For information: wdfw.wa.gov/fishing.

A nice trout is pulled out of Offut Lake, a fishing resort just north of Tenino.

Offut Lake Resort Offers a One-Stop Angling Experience Complete With Fine Dining

Nisqually Valley News File Photos

Offut Lake, located just north of Tenino, offers everything a fisherman needs, from boat rentals to gear to fishing licenses. Overnight accomodations in cabins and camping spots are also available. The annual three-day Father’s Day Fishing Tournament is June 12-14.

Nisqually Valley Abundant With River and Lake Fishing Opportunities



Wolf Haven International is hidden away as a sanctuary should be, but certainly worth the short drive north of Tenino.

Located at 311 Offut Lake

Road SE, Tenino, its mission is to “Conserve and protect wolves and their habitat.” The sanctuary has taken care of 180 displaced captive-born animals since 1982.

The nonprofit Wolf Ha-ven accomplishes this mission through providing sanctuary,

education and conservation. Wolf Haven rescues and pro-vides sanctuary for displaced, captive-born wolves, offers edu-cational programs about wolves and the value of all wildlife, promotes wolf restoration in his-toric ranges and works to protect our remaining wild wolves and their habitat.

Currently, only about 75 Mexican gray wolves are living in the wild, mostly in Arizona and New Mexico. About 300 re-main in captivity in the U.S. and Mexico.

The wolves received pro-tection under the Endangered Species Act 37 years ago. The Mexican grays remain one of the most imperiled mammals in North America and are the world’s most at-risk subspecies of gray wolf.

Wolf Haven’s involvement with the animals dates back to 1994 when it was selected to participate in the Species Sur-vival Plan, a recovery program designed to oversee captive population management and en-hance conservation in the wild.

In the mid-1970s, the Mexi-can gray wolf had nearly disap-peared from North America. Five of the rare species were captured in the wild and another two from captivity formed the basis for the genetic restoration of the nearly extinct animals.

Since Wolf Haven got in-volved, it has produced five lit-ters of Mexican gray pups and released two packs — 11 wolves — into Arizona’s Apache-Sitg-reaves National Forest. Some of the first Mexican wolves to re-enter the wild came from Wolf Haven, which is one of just three pre-release facilities for the spe-cies in the United States.

One of Wolf Haven’s most popular events is the amateur photography tours, held dur-ing the colder months when the wolves are wearing their winter coats and are most active. Dur-ing the photo tours the sanctuary is closed to the public and the number of participants is lim-ited.

n For more information: 360-264-HOWL and www.wolfhaven.org

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Wolf Haven Provides Sanctuary for Endangered Species

Milana Dresbeck, 9, left, Emily Firth, 7, center-left, Isla Chadsey, 9, and Owen Firth, 9, howl in the

wolf Sactionary at Wolf Haven International during a sanctuary’s

Midsummer Nights event.


Mexican gray wolves, Lorenzo, front, and Noel mill around in their pin at Wolf Haven International.



Tenino’s natural rock quarry swimming pool, fed by natural spring water, is the go-to spot for summer fun.

Located in Tenino City Park, it is the remnant of the aban-doned Tenino Stone Company quarry where miners once har-vested sandstone, a sedimen-tary rock that consists of sand or quartz grains cemented together.

Not only is it a cool place to swim, many people just go there to hang out and bask in the beau-ty of the natural stone, moss and trees that surround the park.

A natural waterfall flows in the background, lending a resort-like feel to the experience.

Many locals grew up going to the quarry pool and it still at-tracts many regional visitors.

The pool has a high dive and chlorinated wading pool. Admission and hours vary. The pool is located near the Tenino Depot Museum at 399 Park Ave. W. For more information, visit www.ci.tenino.wa.us/quarry-pool.

Tenino City Park is located several block east of Sussex Av-enue, the city’s main drag.

The Yelm-Tenino Trail be-gins at the park, which also has facilities for camping, picnic shelters, fire pits, hiking, play structures, athletic fields, public restroom and plenty of parking.

The trail is 14.5 miles of

paved path that links the Yelm and Tenino by way of Rainier.

It is a popular trail that fol-lows what was once a railway route. The tracks were removed to make the path, which crosses state Highway 507 only once.

Take a Walking Tour of Historic Sandstone Buildings

Just a few blocks from the city park is the attractive down-town core with its many sand-stone buildings. Stop by for a glass of wine, some chocolates, a meal at the Sandstone Cafe or for some shopping, then stroll through the historic buildings and sites.

Founded in 1872, Tenino was known for its early years as a terminus of the Northern Pa-cific Railroad and later the junc-tion for the Olympia and Tenino Railroad line.

In 1888, a large deposit of sandstone was found near Tenino. By the 1910s, quarries were operated by the Tenino Stone Company and the Her-

cules Sandstone Company. These companies supplied Tenino sandstone for build-ings throughout the West from San Francisco to Vancouver, B.C., and from Aberdeen to Missoula, Montana. The quar-ries gradually were phased out as concrete replaced stone as a building material, and the last quarry closed in the 1930s.

Like so many cities in the West, Tenino’s commercial district was destroyed by fires. The 1905 fire destroyed a block on the south side of Sus-sex and the 1917 fire the other side of the street. In rebuilding and using Tenino’s own sand-stone, the town was left with a unique legacy of its sandstone quarries.

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2015 Summer Performance Highlights

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Tenino Showcases Historic Quarry Pool and Sandstone Buildings


Many of the historic buildings, including City Hall, in downtown Tenino have been built from sandstone from two city quarrys.

During the Great Depression, the city of Tenino issued wooden money.

A swimmer flips off the Tenino Quarry Pool high dive. The unique swimming hole is formed out of a sandstone quarry mined starting in the late 1800s.



If you are headed to Para-dise on Mount Rainier, you must stop by to find a bit of heaven at the Main Street Cookie Company in the city of Rainier.

The kitchen and cookie case are located at 112 Bing-hampton St. NE inside the former Rainier Hotel on the main street through town. As you walk up to the front door, the smell of fresh-baked cookies pulls you in.

Main Street Cookie Com-pany is owned and operated by Joycelyn and Carl Zambu-to, who decided in 2005 they would harness Joycelyn’s tal-ents in recipe creation and build an all-natural, artisan cookie bakery around them.

They went to work on a comprehensive business plan, leased a small space in

the old hotel and opened in January 2008. In the short time since its inception, Main Street Cookie Company has been developing a reputation that is spreading regionally as baking the finest, local, always from scratch, cookies one can buy.

The Main Street Cookie Company has become a des-tination trip in Washington for many, as some folks will drive an hour to buy the arti-san cookies.

The Main Street Cookie Company is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Satur-day.

The company slogan couldn’t be better: “We bake with BUTTER.” That means sweet cream butter only — no vegetable shortening, no oil and no hydrogenated product of any kind.

n For information call: 360-446-0232, or visit www.mainstreetcookies.com

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Take a Stop in Rainier for Cookies and Gifts


Primary baker Israel Abarca preps sheets of Chocolate Chunk cookies to go into the oven at Main Street Cookie Company located in Rainier.



The Yelm-Tenino Trail’s nearly 14 miles offers a pleasant, paved path for walkers, bikers, runners and dog lovers.

The trail connects the cities of Yelm, Rainier and Tenino, passing through Wilkowski Park in Rainier and ending at Tenino City Park.

The trail traverses forest and agricultural lands, wetlands, creeks and other habitat paral-lel to state Route 507. It’s filled with scenic views, including of the Deschutes River west of Rainier and of McIntosh Lake near Tenino.

The trail, which runs east to west, was acquired by Thurston County in 1993. It operated as a Burlington Northern railroad from about 1869 through the late 1980s.

Pedestrians, bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles are permitted on the trail.

The Yelm-Tenino Trail inter-sects with the Chehalis-Western Trail, linking the cities of Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, Tumwater, Lac-ey, Olympia and Woodard Bay on the Puget Sound.

Thurston County Public works recently completed a pe-destrian bridge on Pacific Av-enue that will link the Chehalis Western Trail with the Wood-land Trail and Interstate 5 Bike Trail.

The Yelm trailhead is lo-

cated behind City Hall and features parking, picnic tables, restrooms and an information kiosk. The Rainier trailhead is located between Centre and Minnesota streets behind Rainier Market with restrooms available. The Tenino trailhead is at the Tenino City Park on Washington Avenue with ac-cess to restrooms. The trail can be accessed from just about ev-ery road crossing.

n For information: www.co.thurston.wa.us/parks/trails-yelm-tenino.htm.

Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic

Each summer the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic cruises through the Nisqually Valley, taking advantage of the smooth ride found on the Yelm-Tenino Trail.

STP this year is Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12. Most riders will flow through the Nisqually Valley Saturday af-ternoon, heading for an over-night stay at the midpoint of the ride in Centralia. The route is expected to change this year as cyclists will be sent through

Joint Base Lewis-McChord where competing auto traf-fic will be at a minimum. The route change should be avail-able by June 1.

The 200-mile bicycle ride is the largest multi-day bicycle event in the Northwest, with up to 10,000 riders participating.

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Yelm-Tenino Trail Links Nisqually Valley Cities Together

The Yelm-Tenino Trail links the valley together as a popular biking, hiking and dog-walking path.


Mount Rainier looms in the background during a past Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic run. The event brings about 10,000 riders through the heart of the Nisqually Valley.



Whether it’s children or adults, parks offer something for just about everyone.

Yelm City ParkYelm City Park is the area’s

most popular destination, locat-ed at state Route 507 and Mos-man Avenue in the center of town. Owned and operated by the city, the property — which is about one city block in size — was donated by Chuck and Wilma Demich in 1950.

Various special events are held at Yelm City Park, includ-ing Prairie Days, Octoberfest, Christmas in the Park, and Yelm Lions Easter Egg Hunt and Car Show. While hosting events that can involve a car-nival (Prairie Days), the park offers a kitchen, covered facili-ties, picnic tables, a playground area, softball backstop and public restrooms — although park renovations are underway and many of those amenities

will not be available until later this summer.

A skatepark was located there for about 20 years, but a new one is set to be built at the city’s old public works yard ad-jacent to the park.

Cochrane Memorial Park

Cochrane Memorial Park

is not as visible, but the off-the-beaten-path gem is beau-tiful and loaded with things to do. Cochrane Memorial includes a multi-acre expanse of waterfalls, ponds and tree-lined paths.

The park, located at 750 Mill Road SE, is part of a functioning water treatment system. Here’s how it works: “All the water in the park is reclaimed water that is infil-trated back into the ground to recharge the aquifer,” ac-cording to the City of Yelm website, www.ci.yelm.wa.us.

More so, the park provides a pristine spot for some rest, relaxation and recreation. Amenities include a cov-ered picnic area, children’s play area and restrooms. It is available for reservation to hold a special event.

Longmire Community Park

And for the sports enthusi-asts out there, look no further than Longmire Community Park, located on the outskirts of town at 16820 Canal Road SE. Longmire Park is Yelm’s sports complex, providing three base-ball fields, a football/soccer field, volleyball court and walking trails. Tournaments throughout the year bring hundreds, if not thousands of ballplayers, along with their families and friends. Oh, playground equipment is also available, such as swings, staircase and a bridge that con-nects to two roofed hideouts.

It is open 8 a.m. to dusk year-round. Come for the athletics, but stay for the park’s pristine view of Mount Rainier when Mother Nature cooperates.

What’s Playing at

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Yelm Offers Several Quality Parks to Play On


Cochrane Memorial Park, located just a few blocks from downtown Yelm, is a quiet getaway, a place to enjoy the sound of a waterfountain, ducks and geese, and plenty of private, relaxing spots to decompress.


Yelm Prairie LanesPrairie Lanes is a modern,

family owned and operated eight-lane bowling alley.

Prairie Lanes caters to leagues, recreational bowling, fundraisers and parties. There is limited open bowling during leagues, so call ahead for open bowl times.

In addition, karaoke tour-naments and the 11th Pin Cafe are also offered, which add to the entertainment value for the whole family — or friends, dates and everything in be-tween. Open bowling is avail-able seven days a week, and a specialty of Prairie Lanes is kids and adults birthday par-ties.

n For information: 360-458-2629, www.yelmprairiel-anes.com.Tahoma Valley Golf Course

With beautiful views of Mount Rainier, affordable rates for nearly any budget, and great conditions from tee to green, Tahoma Valley Golf Course in Yelm is a leisurely, worthwhile stop along the way to the mountain.

Located at 15425 Mosman Ave. SW, the 18-hole par 71 course is 5,930 yards off the blue tees (5,730 yards from white), including three par 5s and three par 3s on the back nine.

The course includes a pro shop and new restaurant, Em-ma’s Grill House, which offers a traditional golf course menu for breakfast, lunch and din-ner.

n For information: 360-458-3332, www.tahomaval-leygolf.com.Yelm Cinemas

With eight movie screens and updated equipment, Yelm Cinemas offers all the latest movies in the heart of town, including brand-new reclin-ing chairs and the opportunity to make reservations for your favorite seat ahead of time. Located at 201 Prairie Park Lane SE, the cinema offers comforts of a big-city theater with a small-town atmosphere. It is clean, comfortable, pro-vides all the yummy treats one would expect, and — for before and after movie fun — has an arcade.

n For information: 360-400-3456, www.yelmcinemas.com.

The Triad TheaterLooking for some live mu-

sic, comedy, lectures, drama and independent films? Look no further than The Triad The-ater.

Located in the Wolf Build-ing at the corner of First Street and Yelm Avenue, its eclectic offerings reach out to the local art community with acting and music classes, as well as hosts the Alpha Centauri Lecture Series that focuses on innova-tive science concepts and ex-ploration of the unknown.

The Triad Theater offers ever-evolving activities that change weekly. To learn more about the latest shows and gigs, go to its website, printed below.

n For information: 360-

458-3140, www.thetriadthe-ater.com.

Yelm Historical MuseumThe Yelm Historical Muse-

um, located on Third Street, is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednes-day through Saturday.

Yelm has a long history (checkout yelmhistoryproject.com) with close ties to Mount Rainier National Park “due to Yelm’s historical gateway to the mountain before modern roads made accessing the park much easier,” according to thecentralcascades.com/yelm-historical-museum.

Stopping by the museum

on the way to Paradise puts the history into perspective, such as exhibits on two of the first people to summit Mount Rain-ier. The first known man to climb to the summit of Mount Rainier, P.B. Van Trump, and the first woman, Fay Fuller, were associated with Yelm and are focused on in “The Bloom-er Girl and the Mountain” ex-hibit at the museum.

Van Trump made his fa-mous climb in 1870; Fuller was a young teacher in Yelm and Van Trump’s friend.

n For information: 360-970-8036, www.ci.yelm.wa.us.

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Yelm Activities


Yelm Cinemas recently upgraded its auditoriums with plush reclining chairs.



Red Wind Casino has un-dergone $45 million in reno-vations and expansion this past year, adding new park-ing, doubling the space of the casino, adding 600 slot ma-chines to the already 975 in place, expanding the smoke-free area of the casino and upgrades to all three casino restaurants.

The new two-story, 40,000-square-foot smoke-free wing includes 27,000 square feet of additional gam-ing space. A new deli, bar, gift shop, ice cream and espresso bar, and additional admin-istrative space complete the building expansion. The building’s design features a unique curved exterior with a cultured stone façade, distinc-tive interior columns, 22-foot high ceilings, custom native artwork and ambient lighting.

Red Wind Casino is a must stop on your way to Mount Rainier, located just north of Yelm on Highway 510. For dining the casino offers the Blue Camas Buffet, the high-end Squalli-Absch Grille, The Medicine Creek Deli and the full-service bar Pealo’s land-ing.

For entertainment, take

in The Coho Cabaret for live acts, as well as sporting events played on a 150-inch screen.

The casino is part of the holdings of the Nisqually In-dian Tribe’s reservation on 1,000 acres, originally estab-lished by the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854.

n For information: 1-866-946-2444, www.red-windcasino.com.

Nisqually Tribal CenterWhile at the casino, take

time to visit the nearby Tribal

Center, which opened in May 2013. The Tribal Center in-cludes conference rooms and offices for tribal divisions such as the tribal council chambers, community, social service, legal, financial, and human services.

The two-story building, constructed at a cost of $8 million, has a water feature, art and artifacts meaningful to the Nisqually Tribe. The rooftop resembles a native salmon.

A memorial totem pole is

on display on the first floor, and was carved and painted by Tommy Dunstan from the Thompson Salish people with help from Nisqually commu-nity members. It honors their grandmother, Josephine Ska-mink.

A large piece of bark from a local sequoia tree has been fashioned into a table for one of the boardrooms.

Strike it rich on the casino floor, then take in the strik-ingly stunning new Tribal Center.

Photo Courtesy Red Wind Casino

This new, two-story, 40,000-square-foot smoke-free wing includes 27,000 square feet of additional gaming space and approximately 600 new slot machines and table games. It is part of a $45 million renovation and expansion at the casino located just northwest of Yelm on state Route 510.

Nisqually Indian Tribal Center, Casino a Worthwhile Stop


Yelm, Tenino Host Thriving Farmers MarketsBy Nisqually Valley News

With about 350 farmers mar-kets in Washington state, the cit-ies of Yelm and Tenino provide its own one-stop shopping for just about everything local and healthy.

Not only is fresh food avail-able directly from farmers, unique products and artisans provide an experience everyday grocery stores cannot.

Plus, the money spent stays directly in the community, and same goes for the Rainier Com-munity Garden, which provides locally-grown plants and vegeta-bles by Rainier High School stu-dents and community members.

Yelm Farmers Market

The Yelm Farmers Market is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday from the last week in May through October.

Located in the outskirts of Yelm at the bridge where state Route 507 crosses over the Nisqually River, Yelm Farmers Market is on Nisqually Springs Farm, 17835 state Route 507. Open rain or shine, the market often features live entertain-ment.

After a successful season last year, the Yelm Farmers Market is excited to offer even more to its customers.

The market will open for its fourth season on Sunday, May 31. Returning for her sec-ond year as market manager is Karen Rae, who has been hard at work this winter finding ways to improve the customer experi-

ence and create a sense of com-munity.

Ironically for Western Wash-ington, the biggest problem at the market last year was not rain, but heat. To solve that issue, this year vendor’s tents will be lo-cated on the grass field instead of on the pavement. This change will also allow for the creation of a totally new area that will have tables and chairs, live mu-sic, and prepared food vendors where marketgoers can take a break and soak in the environ-ment.

Fruit vendor John Fardell and the honey vendor are two popular returnees for the 2015 season. Rae also succeeded in getting a beer and wine tasting license, so she is looking for-ward to having guest breweries and wineries join the market.

Overall, Rae is planning for 30 vendor booths operating dur-ing the peak of the market sea-son, an increase of five from last year.

n For information: yelm-farmersmarket.com.

Tenino Farmers Market

Established in 2005, the Tenino Farmers Market is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from June 7 through Sept. 26. The market features fresh, locally-grown produce, plants, hand-crafts, music, workshops and community outreach.

The market is located at Tenino Elementary School, 301 Old Highway 99 N. at the cor-ner of Old Highway 99 and Gar-field Avenue. Highlights include Opening Day June 6, Grand

Opening June 27, Blue Ribbon Pie Contest July 25 (with hours extended to 4 p.m. and relocated to Hodgen Street during Oregon Trail Days), and Closing Day

on Sept. 26, which includes a Vendor Appreciation Day and a Great Pumpkin Contest.

n For information: www.teninofarmersmarket.org.


Yelm Farmers Market Manager Karen Rae, left, and Glenn Schorno, who owns the property where the market is held, show off a new signs set up in preparation for opening day on Sunday, May 31.

Photo Courtesy of Tenino Farmers Market

Mike Saffer, vendor at Tenino Farmers Market, and owner of Skookumchuck Riverbottom Farm, offers hanging baskets, annuals and vegetable starts at a past market. He displays a sign that states “Proudly Grown in Tenino.”


The Best Food of the Nisqually Valley

The readers of the Nisqually Valley News each year vote on the Best of Nisqually.

For those traveling through our area, these are the home-town picks to give you a guide on where to stop for a bite to eat.

Overall Restaurant1. La Gitana,

Yelm2. Casa Mia,

Yelm3. McDonald’s,

Yelm

Breakfast1. Mr. Dougs Family

Restaurant, Yelm2. Jim Bob’s

Chuckwagon, McKenna

3. Jody’s Outlaw, Yelm

Lunch1. Simply Organic,

Yelm2. Casa Mia, Yelm3. McDonald’s,

Yelm

Dinner1. La Gitana, Yelm2. Casa Mia, Yelm3. Puerto Vallarta,

Yelm

Burger1. Simply Organic,

Yelm2. Mr. Dougs

Family Restaurant

Fries1. Simply

Organic, Yelm

2. McDonald’s, Yelm

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Fast Food1. Taco Bell, Yelm2. Burger King, Yelm, 3. McDonald’s,

Yelm

Sandwich/Sub1. Simply

Organic, Yelm2. Quiznos, Yelm3. Subway, Yelm

Pizza1. La Gitana, Yelm2. Varsity Pizza,

McKenna3. Casa Mia, Yelm

Mexican1. Tacos Gaby, Yelm2. Puerto Vallarta,

Yelm3. Mariachi Alegre,

Yelm

Asian1. Ichiban, Yelm2. Young’s Teriyaki,

Yelm3. Kinja Japanese

Restaurant, Yelm

Coffee/Espresso1. Starbucks, Yelm2. Ronda’s Coffee

House, Yelm3. Cafe Elite, Yelm

Cocktail1. La Gitana, Yelm2. Puerto Vallarta,

Yelm3. Silver Mic, Yelm

Dessert1. Simply

Organic, Yelm

2. Dairy Queen, Yelm

3. Casa Mia, Yelm

Meat/Poultry1. Stewart’s

Meat Market, Yelm

2. Safeway, Yelm

3. Walmart, Yelm

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18 • D e s t i n at i o n R a i n i e R 2015 - A supplement to the Nisqually Valley News A supplement to the Nisqually Valley News - D e s t i n at i o n R a i n i e R 2015 • 19



A narrated tram tour of the free -roaming area allows you to see bison, Roosevelt elk, moose, mountain goats and other native animals, up close in their natu-ral habitats.

A self -guided walking tour along the paved trails in the core of the park provides the op-portunity to see grizzly bears, wolves and more in naturalistic exhibits.

A series of zip lines are a must stop for visitors going to Mount Rainier. Four zip line courses all require mental toughness and physical agility.

Northwest Trek is located at 11610 Trek Drive E., just six miles north of Eatonville on state Route 161.

Tram TourSee bison, elk, moose, big-

horn sheep, mountain goats and

more from the comfort of heat-

ed, enclosed trams. The 50- minute,

n a t u r a l i s t -guided tram tour

winds through 435 acres of meadows, woods, and lakes filled with wildlife native to the Pacific Northwest.

Be the first to spot the bi-son herd. In the spring, scout a bighorn ewe and her kid in the meadows. Or in the fall, glimpse bull elk locking antlers as they tussle over a mate dur-ing the “rut” or breeding season. A knowledgeable and friendly naturalist narrates the tour with fun animal facts and interesting stories about the park.

Walking TourWalk a paved path through

the forest to see large predators such as grizzly bears, wolves, cougars and other native forest animals, all in naturalistic ex-hibits. The trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly. A lim-ited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent at

the main office, on a first -come, first -served basis.

Animal Trailside Encounters

Animals are the stars of these trailside presentations, led by keepers. Get up close to a beaver, porcupine, skunk or other small animal. Learn about where they live and what they eat.Cheney Family Discovery Center

Discovering nature is fun for kids of all ages in this interac-tive environment, which is home to some of the park’s smallest critters. Meet toads, snakes and salamanders. You can’t touch the living animals, but you can enjoy hands- on activities from

puppet play to touchable animal pelts.

Baker Research CabinThis representation of an

old trapper’s cabin is all about conservation and research, in-cluding citizen science. Here you have the opportunity to spy on the wolf pack from the kid- sized observation tunnel or use remote cameras to observe the foxes and coyotes.Nature Trails

Experience the beautiful Northwest forest scenery on five miles of paved and primitive trails. Each trail is coded with a different icon so following the right path is easy. A map is available at the trailhead.

n For information: 360-832-6117, www.nwtrek.org.

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Photo Courtesy Centioli Photography for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

A bison calf on wobbly legs sticks close to its mother in the Free-Roaming Area at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Bison calves are a distinctive orange color when born, but turn the dark brown of their parents as they grow.

For the Adventurous: Zip Lines Take You Through Tree Canopy

Native Animals Profiled at Northwest Trek



On the banks of the Mashel River, Eatonville is one of the last major stops between the Nisqually Valley and the quaint communities near Mount Rainier.

A must-stop for those tour-ing the area is the Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop In-dian Village, which provide glimpses into Indian and pioneer life and work as well as offer extensive interac-tive educational programs for schools and small groups.

The museum takes you back to the 1880s to experi-ence the homesteading life in Washington state, including two homestead cabins.

Do the chores that pioneer children would have done in a log cabin such as grind-ing grains, churning cream, scrubbing laundry, and card-ing wool. You may dress up like pioneers, get your hair curled with an old curling iron and shave with a dulled straight razor.

You can help with the barn chores or visit the rep-lica Ohop Lutheran Mission schoolhouse. Rules and pun-ishments for both students and teachers are hanging on the wall inside. The village takes

you back farther to before the first local contact with Euro-peans.

The 1 1/2 -hour guided tours are from Father’s Day through Labor Day.

n For information: 360-832-6300, www.pioneerfarm-museum.org.

Eatonville hosts a number of popular community events for holidays such as Christmas and the Fourth of July.

It also has its own unique festivals and attractions that draw visitors each year.Eatonville Lions Club Art Festival

The Eatonville Lions Club Art Festival is Aug. 7-9, when more than 100 artists of all forms gather in the park. Mu-sic, vendor booths, and tons of fun are to be found at the free event.

The event is a major fund-raiser for the Eatonville Lions Club and all proceeds go back into the Eatonville community.

Artists from all over the area visit the town of Eaton-ville to display and sell their work.

About 50 booths, along with food stands, beer garden and stages fill up Glacier View Park over the weekend.

Artists display artwork for sale including photography, oil and watercolor painting, woodcarving and sculpture.

Many of the artists spend their day practicing their craft as a way of showing onlookers

how they do it. Nearby, a mile away to the

west, Nisqually Mashel State Park offers expansive views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually River Gorge.

The park also features fishing, rafting, hiking, bird watching, picnicking and mountain biking. The park lies beside a salmon and steelhead spawning grounds.

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Photo Courtesy Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop Indian Village

The Pioneer Farm Museum near Eatonville shows how school life was back in the days when the prairie was first settled.

Experience the Pioneer LifePioneer Farm and Indian Village Found Near Eatonville



Although the town of Elbe boasted a population of just 29 people in the 2010 census, this small town has quite a bit to of-fer to visitors traveling through.

The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum, a non-profit heritage railroad, begins its train rides at its depot in Elbe, located at 54124 Mountain Highway E.

Those who take advantage and experience this excursion will get to ride on the longest continuously operating steam railroad in the Northwest, a

rarity these days as few steam-powered passenger railroads still exist in the Northwest.

Passengers will get to see phase two of the new Mineral museum, along with the world’s largest collection of displayed steam logging locomotives. The steam train runs almost every weekend from May through October.

The Historic Train Depot also houses one of two Mount Rainier Visitor Centers heading toward the southwest entrance to Mount Rainier. The visitor center is open Thursday through Sunday, from Memorial Day to Oct. 31.

n For information: 888-STEAM-11, www.mrsr.com.

Visitors to the area can en-joy taking in the sight of the Historic Little White Church of Elbe, built in 1906 and still standing in its original location, right off Highway 7. The 18-by-24-foot church is an emblemat-ic structure for the historically German town as it reads “Ev. Luth. KIRCHE” (Evangelische Lutherische Kirche) on its stee-ple, a reminder of the founders’ German origins.

The church was designed by its first pastor, Karl Kilian, and built by the townspeople. It still bears its original altar and elevated pulpit as well as one of the handmade pews.

Worship services are held at 2:30 p.m. on the third Sun-day of the month from March through November, and the church is open to tourists dur-ing the summer.

For a dining break and even a place to stay, tourists can head over to the Mount Rainier Rail-road Dining Company, which sits right on the pathway of the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad, 54106 Mountain Highway E.

The family-owned com-

pany offers quite the array of food on its menu, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The family prides itself on of-fering a unique dining experi-ence and is most proud of its “family secret” house-smoked tastes, including Alder smoked prime rib and smoked poultry, pork and fish. Other favorites include home-cut cheddar fries, hand-dipped Louisiana prawns, homemade lasagna and beer-battered hoki.

Since starting out as a pop-corn stand on a street corner in Elbe, the Rainier Railroad Dining Company has expanded by adding The Hobo Inn (a ca-boose motel), a gift shop, the Cascadian Dinner Train as well as the restaurant and lounge.

n For information: 360-569-2500, rrdiner.com.

For those interested in a classic American hamburger and milkshake, across the street from the Rainier Railroad Din-ing Company is the greasy spoon joint Scaleburgers. Some claim there is no better burger, and it is listed as the ninth best burger in the state by www.road-quest.com.

n For information: 360-569-2247.

John Froschauer / Associated Press

Randy Marquis of Tacoma, the engineer running the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s 1924 Porter Co. steam engine, pulls the cord to blow the whistle in this file photo, taken near Elbe.

Eat Inside a Restored Rail Car, or Enjoy One of the Best Burgers in the State

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For More Information Visitwww.ci.yelm.wa.us/community_center

Yelm CommunitY Center

History Highlights Town of Elbe


By Brittany Whitehead Nisqually Valley News

As the gateway town to Mount Rainier’s Nisqually Valley, the only year-round entrance to the park, Ashford offers local and out-of-town visitors alike a plethora of op-tions as it pertains to lodging, dining, shops, outfitters, and even spas and fitness centers during their stay.

Just six miles from the en-trance to Mount Rainier on Highway 706, Ashford is a base camp of sorts for those pushing onward to climb and scale the peak. Lodging is unique to the area, from cottages to lodges to bed and breakfasts, cabins and even a chalet, which blend in perfectly with the mountain theme and experience. For a full list of places to stay, visit www.mt-rainier.com.

High Rock Lookout of-fers a stunning view of Mount Rainier and is considered one of Washington state’s most stunning lookouts. Hikers gain an elevation of 1,350 feet dur-ing the steep 3.2 miles and estimated three-hour hike. No trailhead pass required. Go to www.visitrainier.com for de-tails on the trail and specific location of the starting point.

For those not only interest-ed in climbing Mount Rainier, Ashford offers more than 20

miles of intermediate to ex-pert category mountain biking, hiking trails and, in the winter, snowshoeing routes. The out-skirts of the Gateway to Para-dise are also home to Painters Art Gallery and Ashford Creek Pottery, both on Highway 706.

Ashford also boasts the fairly new Ashford County Park, a 30-acre park that was completed in the spring of 2010. It has a children’s play area, a 1.2-mile perimeter walking path as well as inte-rior paths, a restroom facility and a native plant life list. The park is located along 706 as well.

The Mount Rainier Visitor Center in Ashford, located in Whittaker Mountaineering’s Summit House (30027 SE 706 E.), holds summer hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and is open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 5 p.m. during the winter.

Ashford holds an array of restaurants, including Wild-berry Restaurant, Rainier

BaseCamp Grill, Gateway Inn Resort, Copper Creek Inn and Lodge, Alexander’s Country Inn and Highlander Steak-house and Lounge.

15-540431R

Yelm Prairie Historical Museum

207 Third Street SE • Yelm, WA 98597Wednesday - Saturday: Noon - 4:00 p.m.Private tours and groups by appointment

360-970-8036 • www.ci.yelm.wa.us

On the Doorstep of Rainier

Jesse Smith / Nisqually Valley News

Sitting at 5,658 feet above sea level, High Rock fire lookout has unmatched 360 degree views of all the peaks in the Southern Cascade range, from Mount Rainier (pictured), to Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and even Mount Hood on clear days. The relatively short distance hike to High Rock (3.5 mile round trip) is a thigh burner. Gaining 1,400 feet in elevation in just under two miles, the trail leaves hikers gasping for oxygen and second guessing the climb, but views at the top make all that sweat worth it.

Ashford the Center of NW Mountain Climbing


With the Northwest’s sin-gular natural icon as its center-piece, the Mount Rainier region is comprised of some 2,800 square miles including one na-tional park as well as portions of seven wilderness areas, three national forest areas and pictur-esque mountain communities.

A tourist destination draw-ing visitors from across Wash-ington state, the country and with a big draw of international tourists, Mount Rainier is only 68 miles from Seattle and 95 miles from Portland, the two big metropolitan areas of the great Northwest.

Mount Rainier is an ac-tive volcano that erupted as re-

cently as 1854. As you drive off of Interstate 5 and through the communities of Tenino, Rain-ier, Yelm, McKenna and Roy, stunning views of the moun-tain give an indication of the splendor found. The mountain rises about three miles from the lowlands and is a tower-ing presence — at 14,411 feet tall. It’s the highest peak in the lower 48 states, with the largest glacial system in the lower 48 and 25 named glaciers.

Mount Rainier, part of the Cascades Range and the Ring of Fire, forms a trine with Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams.

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Gateway to ParadiseMount Rainier a Majestic Jewel Hovering Over the Nisqually Valley

Drew Perine / The News Tribune

Tahoma Glacier glistens on the west flank of Mount Rainier, as hikers walk along Emerald Ridge on Mount Rainier National Park’s Wonderland Trail. The Wonderland Trail takes a lot out of you — it’s roughly 93 miles with more ups and downs than 2 1/2 trips to Rainier’s summit.


s e e Paradise, pa g e 25


Lodging options in the Mount Rainier area are plenti-ful, and include historic inns within Mount Rainier National Park, historic lodges in Mineral and Ashford, historic hotels in Packwood, resorts, hotels, spas, mountain vacation retreats and vacation home rentals, bed and breakfasts, cabins, a treehouse, and more in Ashford, Greenwa-ter, Crystal Mountain and other surrounding communities.

The area is primed to serve visitors, with restaurants, cafes, espresso stands, climbing and other outdoor activities outfit-ters, gift shops, grocery stores, and more can be found in the communities surrounding the mountain. Within the park, there is a restaurant at the Na-tional Park Inn, Longmire, and snacks at gift shops in the Sun-rise and Paradise visitor centers.

Source: VisitRainier.comContact Executive

Director Mary Kay Nelson: VisitRainier@LocalAccess.

com; toll free 877-270-7155 or www.visitrainier.com

How to get to Mount Rainier:

Highway 706 from Ash-ford to the park’s Nisqually entrance, in the southwest corner of the park, is the only year-round access to the park. Highway 706 can be accessed by Highway 7 to the west or, in the summer, via Skate Creek Road to the south. The road from Longmire to Paradise within Mount Rainier Na-tional Park closes nightly and reopens each day, weather per-mitting. Call 360-569-2211.

Highway 410 over Chinook Pass (on the east side of Mount Rainier National Park) check with Washington State De-partment of Transportation by calling 800-695-7623. Closed in winter.

Highway 12 to Highway 123, approaching from the south side of Mount Rainier National Park. East from Mor-ton, Randle and Packwood or west from Naches (over White Pass).

Carbon River Road (High-way 165 South off of Highway 410 near Buckley, northwest of

Mount Rainier National Park) high clearance vehicles rec-ommended. Check for closures due to flooding by calling 360-569-2211. Open year-round.

Highway 123/410 over Cay-use Pass (on the east side of Mount Rainier National Park) check with Washington State Department of Transporta-tion by calling 800-695-7623. Closed in winter.

Source: VisitRainier.comHistorical roots:

Long before European ex-plorers, Mount Rainier was known as Talol, Takhoma, Tahoma, and other names by Northwest American Indians who frequented it to gather wild huckleberries and hunt game.

Capt. George Vancouver penned the name Mount Rain-ier after his friend, Rear Adm. Peter Rainier, upon observing the mountain on May 8, 1792.

One of the first recorded white explorers to Mount Rainier was Dr. William Tol-mie in 1833.

The first known successful summit climb was by Hazard

Stevens and P.B. Van Trump in 1870.

James and Virinda Long-mire built the first hotel on the mountain, Longmire’s Min-eral Springs Resort, in 1890.

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Left, Paradise on Mount Rainier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Right, Paradise on Mount Rainier during the summer offers miles of trails. This staircase to the flanks of Mount Rainier at Paradise is in honor of conservationist John Muir.

Paradise: f R o m pa g e 24

s e e Paradise, pa g e 26


That same year, Fay Fuller, a schoolteacher, was the first white woman to climb Rainier.

Mount Rainier National Park was the fifth park estab-lished in the system by an Act of Congress on March 2, 1899, under President McKinley.

Source: VisitRainier.comParks, forests and wilderness:

Mount Rainier National Park, covering 235,612 acres, includes such well-known sites as Paradise, Sunrise at 6,400 feet, the highest point in the park accessible by car, Long-mire, Ohanapecosh, Grove of the Patriarchs, Tipsoo Lake, 25 named glaciers, and wildflower carpeted sub-alpine meadows.

Bordering the national

park are the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest and Wenatchee National Forest, as well as the Wilkeson, Norse Peak, Clearwater, William O. Douglas, Tatoosh and Glacier View wilderness areas. Goat Rocks Wilderness borders both the Tatoosh and William O. Douglas wilderness areas.

Source: Visit Rainier.comOther key attractions:

Trails for all ability lev-els — An established and well-maintained trail system within and outside the park offers varying levels of diffi-culty, diverse terrain and many scenic vistas. More renowned trails include the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which skirts the park’s east boundar-ies, and the Wonderland Trail, which circumnavigates Mount

Rainier. There are 240 miles of maintained trails within the park itself.

Mount Tahoma Trails Asso-ciation Hut-to-Hut Trail System — The nation’s most extensive no-fee hut-to-hut system trail offers 50 miles of trails, 20 of which are groomed, three huts and a yurt. Designed for use by cross-country skiers dur-ing the snowy months, the trail is enjoyed by mountain bikers and hikers during the rest of the year. The system is best ac-cessed from Highway 706, one mile west of Ashford.

Crystal Mountain and White Pass ski areas — The Mount Rainier region boasts some of the best snow in the west with 350 inches of aver-age annual snowfall on Crystal Mountain, the largest ski area in Washington, and at White Pass. The two ski areas offer days of downhill and/or Nordic runs. Crystal Mountain also of-fers dinners at the summit dur-ing the summer.

Crystal clear mountain lakes, sparkling streams and milky, mineral-rich glacial rivers treat the visitor. There

are five major rivers: the Car-bon, White, Cowlitz, Nisqually and Puyallup, which originate from Mount Rainier and more than 100 waterfalls in the park alone.

Flora and fauna viewing op-portunities — With extensive wilderness lands, national for-ests and protected national park habitat, the Mount Rainier re-gion supports an abundance of wildlife. The Oak Creek elk and mountain goat feeding stations in the Naches Ranger District (east of White Pass, near the in-tersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Highway 410) provide easy viewing during feeding times in the winter months and other opportunities year-round. On rocky slopes within and outside the national park, marmots can often be spotted. In all, 50 spe-cies of mammals make their homes in the park. Bird popu-lations are plentiful with 130 species spotted within the park; abrupt elevation changes allow for observable vertical migra-tions. The environs also sup-port a profusion of wildflowers in sub-alpine meadows.

Source: VisitRainier.comroyrodeo.com

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A hiker pauses to allow a marmot to cross the snow-covered path while trekking on Mount Rainier.


May 22-25 — Packwood Flea Market, Packwood25 — Memorial Day Ceremony at Rainier’s Veterans Memorial Park30-3 — Middle Ages at Mayfaire, Tenino

June6-7 — Roy Pioneer Rodeo

Roy Pioneer Rodeo The biggest event of the

year in Roy, the Roy Pioneer Rodeo covers two weekends this year, June 6-7, as well as

Sept. 5-6, and the outdoor rodeo is held in Roy at 8710 Higgins Greig Road.

The rodeo draws participants and thousands of fans alike each year to not only take in the traditional Roy events, but also to enjoy

a souvenir booth, food booth as well as a beer and wine garden.

Fans will see all types of events from bareback riding and saddle bronc

Events

s e e Events, pa g e 28


Ty Clark, an Army soldier, gives bull riding a go during a competition at the Roy Pioneer Rodeo last year. The Roy Rodeo has two showings each year. This year’s dates are June 6-7 and Sept. 5-6.


riding to calf roping, steer wrestling, military bull riding, breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing. Also seen will be the opening ceremonies, clown acts, cow milking and businessman’s wild cow milking.

Children can also partake in a stick horse racing event.

Typically, each rodeo event sees about 10 competitors, with hundreds competing annually from around the Pacific Northwest. Those who compete must also compete in August if they want to win a buckle. Buckle winners are

the participants who win the most money at both rodeos in each event.

Sanctioned through the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association, the Roy Pioneer Rodeo is also part of the NPRA season series. The first Roy rodeo was June 19, 1960, and brought in $500. The event now brings in more than $100,000 each year. All proceeds go back into funding the rodeo, as the Roy Pioneer Rodeo is a nonprofit association.

The rodeo starts at 1:30 p.m. each day, with gates opening at noon. Admission is $12 for children ages 13 up through adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under. Cash-only is accepted on rodeo grounds, so be sure to bring plenty.

Visit www.royrodeo.com for more information and to view rodeo photos from past years.

June13 — Yelm Flag Day celebration12-14 — Offut Lake Resort Father’s Day fishing tournament25-27 — Yelm Prairie Days

Yelm Prairie DaysAs the fastest-growing

town in Thurston County, the city of Yelm will likely have thousands of people partake in a community-wide event that spans more than six decades.

It’s called Prairie Days, and if you’re traveling through the Nisqually Valley in late-June headed to Mount Rainier, you may just become part of the city’s biggest annual festivity.

Prairie Days is June 25-27 at Yelm City Park, with a parade — presented by the Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce — 7 p.m. opening night. Following the parade, the good times move

to Yelm City Park with food, games and entertainment.

Hosted by the Yelm Lions Club, Prairie Days is the club’s main fundraiser of the year, in which proceeds benefit activities throughout the area. Attendees, whether local or from afar, will be privy to family and community-oriented entertainment such as local vocal groups, school choirs and bands. Other attractions include special events for children, and the Magnificent Mutt contest on Saturday.

Residents and visitors can browse among vendors and information booths, or get an adrenaline rush courtesy of the carnival, which offers state-of-the-art rides and concessions that are sure to please any age. Organizers claim it truly is a first-class, safe carnival for everyone.

The carnival operates through Sunday, after the rest of Prairie Days concludes.

According to the record books, Prairie Days started in the 1940s as a one-day gathering with deep, agricultural roots. Yelm historians claim the first half of the century, Yelm farmers gathered in the summer to hold a town party celebrating the berry harvest, which usually evolved into a street dance in the evening.

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The Yelm High School Cheer Team revs up the crowd during last year’s Yelm Prairie Days Parade. The festival this year is June 25-27.


Lions Club formed, members created a carnival during the event to raise club funds. Initially, the carnival was near the town’s water tower, then shifted to the park in the 1950s.

With the changing times came growth, as buildings were added to Yelm City Park to support the festival, such as a stage, picnic shelters and hamburger stand. Events started expanding, too, with the well-known pet parade, dog show, water fights by local firemen and a royalty contest. A children’s costume contest is a tradition that was brought back several years ago to boost community involvement in the parade.

The Prairie Days parade began as a parade of pets and kids, but now includes businesses and anyone else who wants to enter. And, even if parades aren’t your thing, Yelm City Park will likely have something that is.

July18 — Wilkeson National Handcar Races11-12 — Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic24 — Southeast Thurston County Relay for Life Golf Tournament24-26 — Oregon Trail Days

Oregon Trail DaysHeld the fourth weekend

every July, the city of Tenino’s annual Oregon Trail Days is sure to be a blast — especially with the ever-popular Four Square Mile Music Festival.

Occurring July 24-26 in downtown Tenino — which is just off the beaten path toward Mount Rainier — what the small city lacks in population, it more than makes up for with a big birthday bash to honor history.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Adam Craig Music Foundation hosts an all-age benefit concert on the Quarry House Stage

with local musicians and a beer and wine garden. Proceeds benefit the Tenino School District and the city’s Quarry Pool. A silent auction has been added this year for Friday night.

Friday’s concert lineup is Littlerock Band at 7, The Olson Bros Band at 8 and Adam Craig Band at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, Andy Shofner Band opens at 7, Aces Up at 8 and Adam Craig Band at 9:30 p.m.

However, before all of those rockin’ memories are made, don’t miss out on the parade 11 a.m. Saturday that travels up and down Sussex

Avenue, lasting about an hour.

Established in 1984, the T90 motorcycle drill revs their engines around 10:45 a.m. for an adrenaline-pumping ride down the parade route to build anticipation for what’s to come. The streets will surely be lined with locals and tourists who are waiting to see their favorite entries, such as the popular black powder rifle shooters.

The list of participants is practically endless, including businesses,




Mike Nesbitt, of Olympia, fires his musket during the Black Powder Shooting contest during last year’s Tenino’s Oregon Trail Days. This year’s celebration is July 24-26.


organizations, political candidates, animals, children, fire trucks and more.

Before the parade begins, the Oregon Trail Days 5K to benefit Tenino High School cross-country will be underway. Finishers receive medallion and participants have the option of a T-shirt, which can be seen at facebook.com/oregontraildaystenino. The 5K starts on the parade route right before it begins. Family discounts are available, and age group awards will go to the top three in each category, with five-year increments, according to the event’s Facebook page.

From there, swarms of people will head to the city park for music (remember the Four Square Mile Music Festival?), vendors galore, Trader’s Row and kid activities.

Yummy food, as well as all of the entertainment options for every age, is almost guaranteed to please everyone who stops by for a great time.

Looking for something enlightening? Stop by the Depot Museum for the list of things to do throughout Oregon Trail Days’ festive weekend.

The South Sound Reading Foundation provides books

for ages 4-12 at the Kids Zone, where there will be sack races, candy in a haystack, water balloons and other games. Prizes for the games are donated by local businesses.

Other activities include a gem show. The Rock and Gem Rendezvous is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Parkside Elementary School, 301 Central Ave. Admission is free.

Oregon Trail Days is a showcase of cherished history, which can be seen everywhere, such as the city’s old-school buildings made from granite mined at the park many, many decades ago. Although the event may not be as old and visible as Mount Rainier, it can provide nostalgia and appreciation for those who make the fun-filled visit.

29-2 — Thurston County Fair

Thurston County Fair

The 2015 Thurston County Fair is July 29 through Aug. 2 at the Thurston County fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road in Lacey.

Each year’s fair offers a carnival, vendors, livestock shows, and a concert series featuring a variety of entertainers.

The carnival provides a variety of rides: tame ones for young children, as well as some death-defying attractions for older thrillseekers. Food ranging from corn dogs to hamburgers will keep visitor’s stomachs from grumbling throughout the day.

Animals serve as the heart of the fair, with high school students from Future Farmers of America chapters throughout the county showcasing local livestock.

Young students get a chance to show off their livestock-raising skills as well through 4-H.

The organizations give students a chance to gain a variety of leadership skills and build confidence in themselves.

As the fair nears, the full schedule of events will be

listed at www.co.thurston.wa.us/fair/schedule.asp.

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Yelm High School senior Robert Haney showed off his steer Frisky at the Thurston County Fair last year. Frisky at the time was 18 months old and weighed more than 1,000 pounds. This year’s fair is July 29 through Aug. 2.



August 2 — Prairie Street Rod Association Show1-2 — Southeast Thurston County Relay for Life6-9 — Morton Loggers Jubilee7-9 — Eatonville Arts Festival14-16 — Tenino Antique and Classic Motorcycle Swap Meet and Show16 — T-9-0 Quarrymen Car Club 12th annual Show-n-Shine15 — Yelm Lions Club Poker Run21-23 — Rainier Round-Up Days and Bluegrass Pickin’ Party

Rainier Round-Up Days and Bluegrass Pickin’ Party

Late August is the city of Rainier’s time to shine.

The Rainier Round-Up Days celebration has been going strong for more than 20 years, giving people a chance to celebrate their hometown while enjoying toe-tapping bluegrass music.

“It’s Rainier’s annual celebration,” said Rainier Mayor Randy Schleis.

The 23nd annual Rainier Round-Up Days and Bluegrass Pickin’ Party is Aug. 21-23 at Wilkowski Park

in Rainier.It’s an opportunity to come

out and hear great bluegrass music, enjoy food sold by the Rainier Lions Club, and check out vendors, including one run by a local Boy Scout troop, Schleis said.

A highlight of the annual event is the Bluegrass Pickin’ Party.

“I always look for the bluegrass,” Schleis said. “It’s nice to be able to go down, and even if they’re not putting on a performance, you can walk around to the different campsites and see if people are jamming. You can just pull up a seat and sit there and listen to them.”

Foods and crafts line the pathways to Wilkowski Park.

The annual parade is Aug. 22 and features a route short enough for kids to walk.

A large number of youth groups from baseball, football, cheerleaders, dance troops, Scout troops, churches and 4-H groups make the Rainier Round-Up Days parade an annual must-do activity.

The parade lasts less than an hour and also includes politicians, businesses and people who just like to be in parades. Nearby activities include games for kids.



Rainier Round-Up Days takes place in conjunction with the Bluegrass Pickin’ Party. Players camp out during the three days of the event, allowing visitors to stroll through the various sites to take in some of the best pickers in the region. This year’s event is Aug. 21-23.

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September4-7 — Packwood Flea Market5-6 — Roy Pioneer Rodeo11-27 — Washington State Fair26 — Nisqually Watershed Festival26-27 — Chehalis Valley Wine Tour26-27 — Lattin’s Country Cider Mill Apple Festival and Pumpkin Patch

OctOber10 — Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce Auction

December 4 — Tenino Tree Lighting5 — Yelm Christmas in the Park

Yelm Christmas in the Park

Yelm’s Christmas in the Park is as warm as the massive bonfire that burns throughout the day and deep into the night on Saturday, Dec. 5.

If the holidays are a time of thanksgiving, the gathering together with loved ones and a season of giving, this community celebration is a perfect fit.


Santa rides on a Southeast Thurston Fire Authority rig in the annual Christmas parade in Yelm last year. This year’s Yelm Christmas in the Park is Dec. 5.




The entire Yelm community is invited to embrace the 27th anniversary of the day-long event, which starts with a parade and ends with a concert by the Yelm Orchestra. In between are a slew of concerts by students from area choirs and bands.

The community blessing and the lighting of the Christmas tree and water tower commence at 5:30 p.m.

Central to the celebrations is a commitment to offer everything for free, from photos with Santa and a candy cane to hot dogs and beverages, making

ornaments, wrapping presents and a children’s book present for every kid. A gingerbread house contest also brightens the park.

One rule for the event is that every group that has a booth must give something away for free. Timberland Library gifts children with a free book, helps the kids wrap them up, and then encourages the books go to a good friend as a Christmas present. The local FFA students will pop popcorn and hand it out all day.

The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. The parade ends with Santa on a Southeast Thurston Fire Authority fire truck.

For those participating in the parade, lineup is at 8:30 a.m. and trophies are awarded at 9 a.m. Parade staging is in the Yelm Cinemas parking lot and along West Road.

Parade participants are also asked to have walkers pass out candy and treats during the parade; throwing candy from moving vehicles onto the street pavement is discouraged.

The parade proves popular year after year, no matter if it is sunny, raining or snowing, attracting about 5,000 spectators. The parade is sponsored by the city of Yelm’s Park Advisory Committee and the Yelm

Area Chamber of Commerce.It can get cold early in the

morning and by the middle of the day participants can get almost frozen.

That’s where the bonfire, and several portable heaters, along with free hot coffee, hot chocolate and hot cider, come in. The inner warmth comes from the act of giving.

December 5 — Mount Rainier Fall Wine Tasting and Brew Festival5 — Tenino Winterfest and Holiday Bazaar

January 20161 — Offut Lake Polar Bear Plunge

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