Military

Mount Rainier Invites Coffee Enthusiasts To Experience Brews Around the Mountain

October 7, 2021Kelly Getzelman
Mt. Rainier

Skyline Trail at Mount Rainier National Park is filled with fall colors and is ready for coffee enthusiasts to once again celebrate good times on and around the mountain. Photo courtesy of Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports.

Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports has put together a proposal for your fall travel: Trail of Trails, a step-by-step guide to experiencing the most incredible autumn hikes, colors, and natural scenic viewpoints in Pierce County, Washington.


An estimated 2 million people visit Mount Rainier each year, according to the National Park Service. In 2019, the park had 2,248,518 visitors. There was lower than average visitation in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1,618,558 visitors.


The Trail of Trails starts at Mount Rainier, with several short but scenic walks, some just steps from parking areas, that give visitors a front-row seat to the changing colors, waterfalls, and of course the snowcapped mountain. There are also stops at local coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and top dessert spots around Pierce County.


Mt. Rainier
Coffee shops near Mount Rainier National Park, like Nomad PNW, offer enthusiasts a variety of caffeinated options to fuel their activities. Photo courtesy of Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports.

“Fall is the time of year that practically begs us to slow down and enjoy life at a walking pace,” said Matt Wakefield, director of marketing and communications for Travel Tacoma’s Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports. “And there’s no better place to do that than on the trails of Mount Rainier, our small communities, and on the shoreline of the Salish Sea. Fall’s deeper shadows, crisper air, and warmer color palette are meant to be savored more leisurely.”


Popular Coffee Shops Near Mount Rainier



  • DeWitt’s Elbe Junction — In the gateway community of Elbe, this old-time grocery store serves seasonal affogatos, drip coffee from Olympia Coffee beans, and a wide selection of gourmet snacks and beverages.

  • Nomad PNW — This coffee shop opened in December 2017 near the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The cafe is best known for its frothy cappuccinos, cold brew coffees, and baked goods.

  • The Local — A modern-day general store and coffeehouse in Enumclaw, Washington, The Local serves Stumptown Coffee.

  • Whittaker’s Cafe and Espresso — Located in Ashford, Washington, near the Nisqually entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, this cafe features a popular breakfast menu and a lineup of hot, cold, and blended drinks.


Mt. Rainier
Photos and stories shared by the mountain-climbing community are featured at Whittaker’s Cafe and Espresso. Photo courtesy of Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports.

On Friday nights during the entire month of October, downtown historic Enumclaw, Washington, lights up Cole Street. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., visitors can shop, dine, and relax in style. There’s outdoor seating around fire pits, tents, and tables, and music to enjoy.


For the entire itinerary, including the list of hikes that hit the best of the trails in Pierce County, visit the Travel Tacoma website.


Read Next: Who Is the Best James Bond? All Six 007 Actors Ranked



Kelly Getzelman
Kelly Getzelman

Kelly Getzelman is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die Magazine. A retired Navy SEAL chief petty officer, Getzelman has nearly two decades of special operations experience and is always ready to ship out on his next epic coffee adventure.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

Ouija Board aircraft carrier
Low-Tech ‘Ouija Boards’ Have Helped Aircraft Carriers Operate for Decades

Since the 1920s, a low-tech tabletop replica of an aircraft carrier’s flight deck has been an essential tool in coordinating air operations.

Army vs. Navy mascot
The Navy Goat vs. the Army Mule: Mascot Origin Stories

For nearly as long as the Army-Navy football rivalry, the academies’ hoofed mascots have stared each other down from the sidelines. Here are their stories.

ukraine long-range weapon
Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Has Developed a Long-Range Weapon, a Day After Strike Deep Inside Russia

Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel the weapon was produced by Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries but gave no other details.

ambush
7 of the Best Movie Ambush Scenes of All Time

Ambushes make for great action scenes. Here are seven of the best to ever grace the big screen.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, with his daughter, center right, reportedly named Ju Ae, review the honor guard during their visit to the navy headquarter in North Korea
North Korea Launches Missile Toward Sea After US Flies Bomber During Drills

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the launch occurred Wednesday but gave no further details, such as how far the missile flew.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved