re: Visitor's Guide to Seattle

Personally, I would take a taxi, but someone posted the bus directions right above here.

If you take a taxi, it's unclear how you will get back, though.

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what would be required to walk in it? sherpa-like mountain climbing skills? is there a visitor's center high enough that a hike could get me there?

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At Rainier, you might be able to get to some without too much effort. Mount Baker might be your best bet, but that's almost 100 miles away.

ETA: Paradise to Camp Muir on the south side of the mountain

A guy in my office who just summitted Rainier advised taking the hike up to Camp Muir:

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This will be a climb you will not forget for many years, and to begin sounds to easy. Start at the trailhead near the lodge and make your way on the easy paved Skyline trail heading for Panorama Point. Just before you reach that you will pass Glacier Vista, a place to get some very nice views to the south. keep going past Panoram Point after you fuel up on a snack and you will notice the crowd has dwindled as day hikers usually turn back here. Once you reach McClure Rock, take a look up the hill at the path other hikers have taken and use it to keep you on course. The snowfield is wide and open giving awesome views on a clear day. It comes in handy if you have some type of altimiter to gauge your progress, but it is not a requirement. Depending on the conditions you can make this hike with just hiking boots, but your should consider crampons, ice axe and plenty of food and clothes as the weather has a way of changing without notice. Be safe! and enjoy.

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He said it's strenuous, but able-bodied adults should be able to do it without having to spend the night.

LINK

Another good place to get some snow:

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The trail starts at the site of the old Big Four Hotel, now gone, but area is turned into a picnic area. A board walk provides a easy passage through a bog, beaver pond area. Then a little bit of pavement, just before you cross the South Fork Stilliguamish River and a short bridge across Ice Creek. Then continue on up the hill, through old growth timber, lots of blow downs
in this area. Looking across the stream you can see De Campo Peak from here. Finally you reach the base Big Four Mountain, towering 6,135 ft above you, after a short walk to the outlook you can see the ice fields and sometimes the ice caves. Remember walking in ice caves is dangerous, there is falling ice. People have been killed and seriously injured in these caves. Trail has been improved for wheel chairs. If you look back down the trail you can see Devils Peak, to your left and Mt. Dickerman on your right.

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Big 4 Ice Caves

I'm sure those are fine. Like I said, there are just way too many to mention.

Hey JerseyTiger... thanks for putting that info together!

One question: How are Ivar's and Northgate Tavern Pizzeria on GameDay?

We're reserved on the Ivars boat ... we're probably going to spend the morning/early afternoon walking around campus and what not ... then we want to find a cool, rowdy bar/restaurant close to campus within walking distance to hang out at for a couple hours and watch the other games on TV. We have to go to Ivars for 5pm for the boat, and it appears Northgate Tavern is really close to Ivars and would be easist to go there after walking campus and then just head over to Ivars at 4 or 5pm.

So, is Northgate Tavern a cool place to hang out on GameDay?

Washington fans have recommended The Ram, but it appears to be on the other side of campus so getting a group of 23 drunk people from The Ram to Ivars at 4pm seems like a difficult task. What ya think?

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Jersey would you recommend staying at Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue. Is it in a great location?

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It's perfectly fine. No more than a 7 minute walk from the market/water.

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One question: How are Ivar's and Northgate Tavern Pizzeria on GameDay?

We're reserved on the Ivars boat ... we're probably going to spend the morning/early afternoon walking around campus and what not ... then we want to find a cool, rowdy bar/restaurant close to campus within walking distance to hang out at for a couple hours and watch the other games on TV. We have to go to Ivars for 5pm for the boat, and it appears Northgate Tavern is really close to Ivars and would be easist to go there after walking campus and then just head over to Ivars at 4 or 5pm.

So, is Northgate Tavern a cool place to hang out on GameDay?

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Well, truth be told, I've never been to a UW game. They've sucked so bad and the stadium is such a pain in the arse to get to that it's just never happened. I don't know how much "rowdiness" I'd expect outside of the LSU crows. UW people are the wine and cheese crowd.

I think your plan sounds good. That boat from Ivar's should be a good time.

The Ram is a good bet.

I'd also recommend the hike up Granite Mt over Mt Si. Si gets way crowded while Granite gets you higher with 360 views.

The Denny Creek trail is very nice and gets you into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area if you're not into summiting something.

You can't go wrong going up Ranier to Camp Muir. Hiking poles make it much easier. Ice axe and crampons are not necessary but keep your eyes open if it starts clouding up suddenly.

Mt Dickerman or Mt Pilchuck over by Big 4 are nice hikes also.

Ivar's isn't that great. It's good for you who want a close to campus boat ride. It does have a good view and is waterfront. Nothing more.

Northlake Tavern is a hole in the wall that makes ridiculously thick pizza with a ton of toppings. It's not that great. It's so thick it doesn't even get cooked all the way. The place is a pit though. I guess it's an experience but one that LSU fans don't need to take in.

Stay downtown. For the game, take a boat if you'd like. Tailgate with UW fans. On gameday, walk the campus. If you want a TV, find one at someone's tailgate or go to the Ram. The Duchess is also good but farther away and much more of a dive UW bar.