Mt Rainier via Gifford Pinchot national forest

From Portland, start early - 8 am or before.  

Mount Adams , From the Gifford Forest drive. 

Route: I-84, Hood River OR, TroutLake  WA to Randle WA. Between Trout lake and Randle, 17~20 miles are of gravel road, but passable by any car.  The rest of the road is well paved.  Enjoy the forest road drive through Gifford, excellent view of Mount Adams/St Helens. The road is also along the Cispus River, stop by the river banks and have a snack. Sometimes GPS may confuse you. Follow the signposts to Randle and google map (maybe, take a screenshot/printout of the map). From Randle, WA follow the directions to Grove of the patriarch's trail.

There is another route, via Lewis river trail and Iron creek falls. It is close to St. Helens. But I haven't explored it yet.

At Rainier National Forest : Grove of the patriarch's trail  ~ 1 mile. 

Via Stevens canyon road to Box Canyon, Wonderland trail, Reflection lakes

Make sure you reach near Paradise Inn for Paradise/Skyline loop trail well before (at least 2 hr before) the sunset. 

We couldn't complete the skyline loop trail.

During winter, there can be road closures. Fill your tank from Randle, WA. or when ever possible.

If you are staying a night close to Rainier, you do have more options to explore. If you like to return to Portland in the evening/night, better return via I-5.

Return: WA 706(Ashford -WA)/WA 7(Carlson-WA)/WA12 (Mossyrock, WA) to I-5 ( 3hr)

For more pics : https://randomwindow.smugmug.com/Travel/Washington/Mount-Rainier/
https://randomwindow.smugmug.com/Travel/Washington/Gifford-Pinchot-National-Forest-Road-Drive/

last updated : 2021 September.
Links : 
https://visitrainier.com/grove-of-the-patriarchs-2/
https://visitrainier.com/stevens-canyon-road/