Mount Rainier is the highest peak in Washington state and one of the most glaciated peaks in the contiguous United States.
The active stratovolcano reaches 14,411 feet, or 4,392 metres, above sea level. It stands southeast of Seattle and is the centerpiece of Mount Rainier National Park, established in 1899. The mountain’s great height and heavy snowfall support an extensive network of glaciers.
Mount Rainier is also an important volcanic hazard. It has not erupted in modern historical times, but its large ice cover could contribute to lahars, fast-moving volcanic mudflows, during a future eruption or major collapse. The mountain’s Indigenous names and cultural associations predate the European name, which was applied in honor of British admiral Peter Rainier.
Mount Rainier is often confused with Mount Baker or Mount Adams, both also in Washington. Rainier is higher than both and is the state’s highest natural point. Its first recorded ascent was made by Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump in 1870.