Watch my 2022 Bucket List video - https://youtu.be/tuVGY_bxezQ ======================================================== Since 2009, I've been sharing my Bucket List goals and adventures on my blog hoping to use my personal example to prove that ANYBODY can achieve ANY GOALS they set for themselves ! ! - https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2015/10/my-bucket-list.html If you want to learn how to achieve YOUR GOALS, here are a few links that, hopefully, will motivate & inspire you to pursue your goals, and will help you turn your dreams into the reality : - The Importance of Setting Clear, Written Goals 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/12/the-importance-of-setting-clear-written.html - 5 Practical Tips That Guarantee To Help You Achieve Your Life Goals, and Fulfill Your Bucket List 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2020/01/5-practical-tips-that-guarantee-to-help.html - 20 Ways To Get Good Karma 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/01/20-ways-to-get-good-karma.html - Teach Yourself A New Skill 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/01/teach-yourself-new-skill-to.html - Ideas For Your Spiritual Bucket List 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/07/60-ideas-for-your-spiritual-bucket-list.html - Motivate Yourself... Or Be Miserable...The Choice Is Yours 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/02/women-this-is-how-you-get-in-shape.html - 12 Habits Standing Between You and What You Want 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/06/12-habits-standing-between-you-and-what.html - Stoked Daily: Monday Morning Motivation 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2014/11/stoked-daily-monday-morning-motivation.html - Surfing Is My Therapy 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2014/06/hyperactivex-surfing-is-my-therapy.html - Stoked Daily: Never Too Old 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2014/05/stoked-daily-never-too-old.html - 24 Things To Do Before You Turn 30 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/08/24-things-to-do-before-you-turn-30.html - Simple Life: 23 Feet Movie Trailer 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2014/01/simple-life-23-feet-movie-trailer.html - Living In Your Car Like A Bohemian ( Or A Bum ) 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/12/xhyperactive-adventures-living-in-your.html - The Salt Trail : The visual story about breaking away from the mould and following your dreams 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/09/the-salt-trail-visual-story-about.html - How Do You Celebrate Your Birthday ? 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/09/how-do-you-celebrate-your-birthday.html - From Ex-Con To Icon : The Inspiring Story Of Kali Muscles 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/05/from-ex-con-to-icon-inspiring-story-of.html - Are You At The Top ? 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/03/are-you-at-top.html - Are You Proud Of Your Job? 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2013/02/are-you-proud-of-your-job.html - Sometimes I wish I Was A Ski Bum 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/12/sometines-i-wish-i-was-ski-bum.html - Another Ordinary Day... 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/11/another-ordinary-day.html - ExtraHyperActive Great American Road Trip 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2012/06/hyperactive-great-american-road-trip.html - Depressed? See an Eco-Therapist ! 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2009/08/depressed-see-eco-therapist.html - Positive Impact Of Outdoor Adventures On Returning War Veterans 👉 https://www.extrahyperactive.com/2009/07/positive-impact-of-outdoor-adventures.html ========================================================== To learn more about the science of goal setting, and to read/watch more stories of people who've turned their dreams into the reality, please subscribe to this channel, and visit our main website !! - http://extrahyperactivenetwork.com/ ========================================================== Learn more about ExtraHyperActive Fitness here - https://www.extrahyperactivefitness.com/ ========================================================== Learn more about cryptocurrency investing & trading - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCU2mNGnPCEsPl-UCGIsa0w ========================================================== Shop for ExtraHyperActive swag, and become our PAID brand ambassador/social media influencer !! - https://www.zazzle.com/store/xhyperactive ========================================================== I wish you a happy, healthy, and wealthy 2024 !! 😃 #ExtraHyperActive #motivation #inspiration #goals #goalsetting #buecketlist
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Review of 2022 & 2023 Bucket List
Did I achieve my 2022 goals ? See for yourself here...
What are my goals/Bucket List adventures for 2023 ? Watch the video below 👇
Cable Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing at Orlando Watersports Complex
The popularity of cable wakeboarding parks has been growing since the first time we wrote about it in 2010... And Florida ranks first place in the U.S. by the number of cable wakeboarding parks, and the time they're open...
Personally, I got to try cable wakeboarding for the first time in Tampa, FL in 2011... Even though it was my second time trying out wakeboarding ( the first was wakeboarding behind a boat, and it was a bitch ! ), cable wakeboarding was much easier to learn !
This time I brought my 14 y.o son who'd never done any kind of wakeboarding, but it only took him a few runs to get used being pulled by the cable...
If you're in Orlando, FL, and want to give cable wakeboarding a try, stop by Orlando Watersports Complex that offers cable wakeboarding lessons for complete beginners...
Besides cable wakeboarding, Orlando Watersports Complex also offers water skiing, kneeboarding, and wakesurfing lessons !
Wakesurfing has been on my Bucket List for a long time, and I finally got to cross it off my list !
Check out the YouTube video below of our experience at Orlando Watersports Complex :
But even if you're not into "extreme sports", Orlando Watersports Complex could be a great place for the family with kids to visit !
The main reason we believe it's a great place is because of its location... It's conveniently located only ~20 min away from both Orlando downtown, and Orlando's main attractions ( Disney World/Universal/Sea World ) !!
And if you're looking for more adventures to cross off your Bucket List while visiting Florida, subscribe to our YouTube channel where we shared more of our own adventures such as :
And more !!
And if you love adventure travel, and are looking for ways to support your Wanderlust, consider becoming ExtraHyperActive PAID brand ambassador/travel influencer !!
Learn more about how YOU can become our brand Ambassador/social media influencer, and how EXACTLY to make money traveling by visiting our main website www.ExtraHyperActiveNetwork.com !!
How To Make Money With Rooftop Tents
The first time I saw a rooftop tent I immediately fell in with that great idea !
Being ExtraHyperActive means every time you go on adventure your car turns into a mini REI store 😀
As somebody who spent most of his adventure days sleeping in the car, having a rooftop tent was a huge relief !
Now I can load up my car with my outdoor gear, and can spend a night comfortably sleeping on top of my car !
Another reason I fell in love with rooftop tents was because I was sick and tired of pitching my tent (mostly) on wet ground ( I live in Washington state 😉 )... and with a rooftop tent, you just unhook the locks, and pop up the tent !
But the best part is that being ExtraHyperActive, I turn ALL my hobbies, and interests into a business, or find a way to make money doing what I love !
The same goes for rooftop tents !
In the video below I share how I make money with rooftop tents ( and how YOU can do it too !! )
Have you been thinking about buying a rooftop tent but don't know which one to choose/which one would better fit for your car, and your travel needs ?
Check out our new blog dedicated to rooftop tents !
Looking for ways to support YOUR healthy, and adventurous lifestyle ?
Join ExtraHyperActive Network to learn the fundamentals of business, marketing, and branding to turn your passion into a profitable business, or, at least, make some extra money on the side !
Best High Paying Amazon Affiliate Niches & Products For Outdoorsy
In April 2020, Amazon drastically reduced its affiliate commission for many of its categories...
For somebody like me, who specialized in niches related to outdoor recreation and fitness, it was quite a blow 😢...
If before, Amazon affiliate & influencers used to make 5.5% commission in those categories, after April 2020 - it's only 3% 😡
That's why, nowadays, instead of wasting your time promoting low priced products, focus on products that will make you more money !!
In the video below I shared a few examples of the products that I've personally been promoting the last few years...
BUT...
As I always say - it's NOT about WHAT you promote, and it's all about HOW you do it...
Creating a clear, highly targeted niche is the key !!
Most important !!
If YOU want to build a reliable passive income -
DON'T RELY JUST ON (AMAZON) AFFILIATE MARKETING !
If YOU really want to turn your passion into a profitable business ( or, at least, learn how to make some extra money on the side ! ), vist -
Skiing & Snowboarding at Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area
The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is a small ski area in the northwest United States, located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
It is within Olympic National Park, seventeen miles south of Port Angeles.
Hurricane Ridge is one of only three lift-serviced ski areas operating in a U.S. National Park.
This area is typically open from mid-December through the end of March, weather permitting.
If you're planning a trip to Hurricane Ridge to ski or ride, here are a few tips you might find valuable :
- Call ahead
Winter storms can close or delay opening of the Hurricane Ridge Road; high winds and blizzard conditions are not uncommon. Road and weather condition updates are available on the Road and Weather Hotline at 360.565.3131
- Arrive early
Traffic to to the ski area could get busy ( especially on weekends, and during school holidays )...
B/c the ski area is located on the National Park grounds, you'll have to pay entrance fee ( ON TOP OF YOUR LIFT TICKETS !! )... This can make quite a bottle neck at the entrance, and the line can stretch for a half mile...
🔥 If the parking lots get full early, you WON'T BE ABLE TO GET TO THE AREA... EVEN IF YOU PURCHASED YOUR LIFT TICKETS ONLINE !! 🔥
- Fill up your tank
The drive from the nearest gas station to the ski area is ~ 18-20 miles... And if you have to wait in car line, and you're already low on gas, you might have a problem...
- Bring (rubber) gloves you won't regret destroying
The main "lift" is a rope tow... sooo... if you've never used a rope tow, first, it's not easy ( especially at Hurricane Ridge with a pretty steep slope ), second - the rope tow can really make a number on your gloves...
Want To Ride For FREE ?
Hurricane Ski & Snowboard Area is small... I mean, REALLY small... it only has two main "lifts" ( rope tow, and poma lift )...
If you just want to do one run, or of you just want to snap a cool pic on top of the mountain, just grab your skis/snowboard , and walk uphill !!
It would better work when the ski area is closed, or after the season is over ( late March/early April )...
The views are absolutely magnificent !!! and just that is worth the trip !!
Below is a shirt video we shot during our trip :
Looking for more adventures while visiting Port Angeles area ?
Bucket List Achievements 2020/2021, and Goals for 2022
At the end of 2019, when I wrote my last ExtraHyperActive Bucket List report 2019/2020, as always, I had quite a list of ambitious goals for 2020 😎😍
But just like most people, I couldn't even imagine that the next 2 years would be absolutely unprecedented, unpredictable, and straight up frightening 😱💩
With the introductions of lockdowns, and numerous restriction on (air) travel, and social gatherings/group activities, most of my adventure travel plans were doomed 😥
But the first blow to my plans didn't even have anything to do with COVID...
One of my BIGGEST dreams/goals ( to fly in a hot air balloon in Winthrop, WA !! ) that I've had since 2010 (!!), got cancelled b/c of the weather conditions 😡
But it was still a pretty amazing trip !
If you ever plan to visit Washington state ( winter and/or summer are always the best times !! ), Winthrop is one of the most unique, and amazing destinations in this state !
It's a great place to visit for "tourists", but especially fun for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in one place !
Since we couldn't travel a whole lot not only internationally, but even domestically, we spent most of 2020/2021 enjoying the great outdoors of our beautiful WA state !
In 2020/2021, my son and I did a lot of snowboarding, surfing, paddleboarding, hiking, biking, and backpacking !
Unfortunately, in 2020, I had to shut down my local business "Seattle Kite, Surf, Paddle", but we continued "shredding" 🏄, and making money online through affiliate marketing on my blog "Land Paddling USA"...
We even got to try a new "board sport" - kitwing boarding !
Another outdoor activity that we started learning in 2019, and continued through 2020/2021 was fishing !
We tried fly fishing, peer/dock fishing, and then got into SUP/kayak/canoe fishing !
Another new Bucket List adventure we got to write off our Bucket List was hunting !
It was an absolutely amazing experience, and in the future, we'll be focusing more on both hunting & fishing !
Until 2020, I've never been a huge "gun nut"... I did go on a few target shooting trips with my friends back in the days, and took my kiddo clay shooting when he was 10, but never really enjoyed shooting ( at targets )...
But in 2020/2021 with the rise of violence, and the possibility social unrest ( or straight up civil war ! ), I decided to invest in a few firearms, and to have more practice for both myself and my son...
Along with hunting/fishing, target shooting/survival/self-defence will be something we'll be focusing more on in the incoming years....
B/c of limited travel, another cool adventure/business venture we started was "overlanding"/car camping !
I started an Amazon affiliate site "Best Rooftop Tents", and also made money renting out my Jeep on Outdoorsy.com, while making extra $$$ participating in their affiliate program !
On the side, I was making additional CASH flipping rooftop tents on sites like Craigslist, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace !
As for my (outside the state ) travel plans, the only new place I got to visit was Texas...
And I had absolutely a blast in that state !
Being ExtraHyperActive, the highlight of my trip was visiting BSR Surf Resort in Waco !
So what are my plans/goals for 2022 ?
To be completely honest, I'm pretty pessimistic about the future...
But if you know me, you know that I'm a huge believer in creating your own life !!
And this blog, and this category ( My Bucket List ) is my proof that YOU too can live the life of your dreams... AS LONG AS YOU KNOW HOW TO SET CLEAR, REALISTIC, EMOTIONALLY CHARGED GOALS !!
This year, instead of writing about my plans for 2022, I decided to create a YouTube video ( if you have time to watch👇 )
🔥MOST IMPRTNAT🔥
If YOU want to learn how YOU can live a happy, healthy, and wealthy life, feel free to check out ExtraHyperActive Network where I share my personal knowledge, experience & expertise to help people like YOU live a happy, healthy, and wealthy life !
👥👪👬😍😎
Sondors Electric Bikes Referral Program
Join Sondors referral program - https://sondors.com/referral-program
New to affiliate influencer marketing ?
Join ExtraHyperActive Network to learn the fundamentals of business, marketing, and branding - http://extrahyperactivenetwork.com/
Check out more outdoor brands to promote and make $$$ - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL78koNgcc9OlMSIsIByvrczIsN9Dn55rM
Subscribe to our channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR6Gg7y6aIOz4cZppuEsIwg
Skullcandy Affiliate Program and Brand Ambassador Opportunities
Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money while associating your site with a premier brand like Skullcandy !
Drive traffic to Skullcandy.com and quickly earn commissions from purchases made by customers you refer.
The Skullcandy Affiliate Program offers regular newsletter updates, compelling creative assets, publisher incentive programs, affiliate exclusive offers, and more.
Become a Skullcandy affiliate partner today to take advantage of a great opportunity!
How it Works
You can become a Skullcandy affiliate by applying to Avantlink. Once you are accepted into the Skullcandy Affiliate Program, follow the instructions to place a link to Skullcandy.com onto your site. Sign up and start earning commissions on your referrals by clicking this link...
Read "Top 5 Reasons Your Affiliate Application Could Be Denied By AvantLink"
🔥🔥WATCH THIS VIDEO BEFORE YOU JOIN AVANTLINK AFFILIATE NETWORK 🔥🔥
Love adventure travel, fitness, and the great outdoors ?
Looking for ways to make some extra 💰💰💰 to support your healthy, and adventurous lifestyle ?
Join ExtraHyperActive Network to learn the fundamentals of business, marketing, and branding !
Join Now
Rad Power Bikes Affiliate Program (and other ways to make money)
Earn 3-5% commission* with Rad Power Bikes affiliate program !
🔥 PLUS🔥
Love adventure travel, fitness, and the great outdoors ?
Looking for ways to make extra 💰💰💰 ?
Join ExtraHyperActive Network, and learn the basics of business, marketing, and branding to build a profitable online business based on YOUR passion/hobbies/interests !
Make another $50 for each friend who buys a a Rad Power bike through your referral !
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
MORE THAN THAT !!
Learn how YOU can make CASH every month flipping electric bikes ( and other fitness and outdoor products ) on sites like Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and others !
Watch the video below to learn more 👇👇 👇
Looking for ways to make extra 💰💰💰 ?
Join ExtraHyperActive Network, and learn the basics of business, marketing, and branding to build a profitable online business based on YOUR passion/hobbies/interests !
Make Money Promoting Electric Longboards Through Amazon Affiliate/Influencer Programs
Love longboarding/skateboarding or board sports in general ?
Electric longboards/skateboards have become very popular in the last few years !
They've also become very affordable and reliable !
Not only are they a lot of fun to ride, but, for many people, electric longboards have also become a mode of transportation or just a way to get around town...
That's why electric longboards are great products to promote, and make some extra money !
And one of the best ways to do that is through Amazon affiliate/influencer program !
There are a ton of electric longboards to choose from on Amazon with prices ranging between $200- $500 ( see the prices and brands here - https://amzn.to/3ztl0Fk )
Since Amazon pays only 3% affiliate commission it makes sense to promote higher priced longboards...
BUT !!
The best part of Amazon affiliate/influencer program is that when people end up on Amazon through YOUR affiliate link, and buy ANYTHING ( not just longboards you promote, but anything at all ! ), YOU still make money !
More than that !!
In my previous YouTube video I showed how YOU can get a FREE Amazon sales page, and make the SAME affiliate commission when YOU SIMPLY SHOP ON AMAZON !
Pro Tip:
If you're really serious about building a profitable online business based on your passion/interests/hobbies... the best way to do it is by creating a marketing niche, and choosing a brand to work with !
When you become a brand Ambassador/social media influencer you can make money since many brands have their own dedicated affiliate programs that pay more !
On top if that, as a brand Ambassador you will be featured on the company's social media channels, you can get all kinds of freebies, and deep discounts !
Our personal choice is Swagtron brand that offers a variety of electric toys ( longboards, bikes, scooters, and hoverboards ) for all ages !
Swagtron also offers their own affiliate program that pays 5% affiliate commission ( comparing to Amazon's 3% 😥 )
🔥🔥 JUST KEEP IN MIND !! 🔥🔥
Despite of what you might have heard before about affiliate marketing, making money nowadays is NOT as easy as it used to be...
Spamming social media with affiliate links DOESN'T WORK any more...
If you want to build your own online business based on affiliate marketing model, you'll need to learn at least the basics of business, marketing, and branding !
If you're serious about building a profitable, reliable online business that you'll love, and will be proud of, I recommend joining our ExtraHyperActive Network where dedicated a big portion of our education to affiliate marketing, and specifically to Amazon affiliate/influencer programs !
MORE THAN THAT !!
As our own brand Ambassador/social media influencer YOU can make money by simply promoting our brand on social media !
5 Best Hunting & Fishing Affiliate Programs
Love hunting and/or fishing ? Looking for ways to support your passion ?
Affiliate marketing is a great way to do just that !
BUT...
It's NOT the only way !
Check out the video below to learn about the best affiliate programs ( as well as other BETTER ways to make money ) for hunters & anglers !
If YOU love hunting, fishing, or the great outdoors in general, we're always on a lookout for new brand Ambassadors/social media influencers !
Check out ExtraHyperActive Network to learn how YOU can become our PAID brand Ambassador !
Can You Really Get Paid Walking With Sweatcoin App ?
"Join our 40M+ users to become part of the movement economy. Sweatcoin app converts your steps into sweatcoins — virtual currency that you can spend on products, service, and experiences within the app's marketplace."
But can you really earn rewards or make money ( or cryptocurrency ) with Sweatcoin app ?
Why is it when you Google "sweatcoin", many results on the first page of Google come up as "is sweatcoin legit" or "is sweatcoin a scam" ?
Why are there so many YouTube videos about "how to hack sweatcoin" ?
The truth is - most people who use Sweatcoin app do so because they want to make money or get free products....
But it's 2021, and if you still haven't figured out that "the only free cheese is in the mousetrap", and "Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, and difficulty" then you deserve to be broke...
As I've said it many times before - the only way to succeed in this life is to find what you're passionate about, and then learn how to make money doing it...
Or :
Sweatcoin app could be a great app for those who're truly passionate about health and fitness !
Especially if you love walking, jogging, running, biking or even longboarding/land paddling !
It also could be a great app for personal trainers and fitness influencers to motivate their clients, and social media followers to be active when they're out of the gym/offline...
But if you just want to make money, my advice is always the same - get a fucking job !
To learn more about Sweatcoin app, AND other BETTER ways to make money to support your healthy, and adventurous lifestyle, check out the video below :
Love adventure travel, fitness, and the great outdoors ?
Become our PAID brand Ambassador/social media influencer !
How To Make Your Winter Hiking More Exciting !
I don't know about you, but for me, hiking is boring ☹️
That's why, this winter I decided to combine hiking with another new and exciting outdoor activity - land paddling !
Never heard of land paddling 🤔 ?
Instead of me trying to explain it to you, just watch the video below ⬇️ and if it got your interested to learn more, check out this blog - www.LandPaddlingUSA.COM
Guided Pheasant Hunts In Washington State
Looking for guided pheasant hunts in Washington state ?
Pheasant hunting is a great way to get introduced to upland bird hunting for beginners. You don’t need a lot of equipment and although the finer points may take years to learn, it doesn’t take much to grasp a basic understanding of how to hunt pheasants.
If you’re thinking about getting started in pheasant hunting or just need a refresher, hiring a professional pheasant hunting guide is the way to go !
In this post we'll share our own personal experience going pheasant hunting with a guide in Eastern Washington...
The ring-neck pheasant is one of the largest and certainly the most brightly colored of Washington’s upland birds.
The ring-neck isn’t native to Washington, or even to North America. The first pheasants were brought from China, and successfully introduced into several areas of Eastern Washington later in 1890's...
But for beginner hunters, on a guided trip on a private property you are assured of a high quality experience.
Here are a few tips you need to know before you book your first guided pheasant hunt in Washington state :
Learn to shoot !
While most outfitters/guides don't require any previous hunting experience, they expect you to know how to shoot a shotgun...
If you've ever shot anything with any gun, you know you need some experience to hit a target...
You can only imagine that shooting a moving target could be much harder...
That's why, before going on a guided pheasant hunt ( or any upland bird hunt for that matter ), I recommend you take at least one clay shooting class.
Don't worry about shotguns/ammo/hunting license
Shotguns/ammo/license needed for upland hunting is diffrent from big game hunting... But you don't have to worry about it b/c most outfitters/guides will provide their own guns/ammo/hunting license ( if you're hunting on private property ).
TIP: Make sure all the gear ( shotgun/ammo/orange vest/hunting license ) is included in the price !
How many pheasants will you be hunting ?
Depending on whether you'll be hunting wild or tamed pheasants, most outfitters/guides will guarantee a certain number of bird per trip...
Just keep in mind, even though it's a guided hunt with a guaranteed number of birds being released, it's still your job to shoot those birds... In other words, if you don't shoot a single bird, don't blame your guide for "an unsuccessful hunt".
Bring a cooler for your trophy !
If you're lucky to shoot a bird or two ( or more ! ), your guide will clean the birds for you ( and you'll have a great hands-on experience learning how to do that ! )... Just make sure you bring a cooler to keep the meat fresh.
Be prepared to walk a lot
Depending on the area you'll be hunting on, you might have to walk a lot on harsh terrain while carrying a shotgun...
Make sure you're physically fit for this adventure ! Your guide is NOT your servant/porter, and he won't carry you, your gun, or your designer bags...
Also, make sure you're dressed accordingly... Pheasant hunting in Eastern Washington runs from early September till late March... And even though the weather in Eastern Washington is much better ( comparing to Central/Western Washington ), there is still a chance you might be hunting in rain, sun or/and snow !
Create great memories/experiences while learning something new !
B/c it's a guided hunt, many people treat it literally like a walk in the park ( expecting their guide to do everything for them ! ).
By all means have a great time, and take a lot of pictures, but also listen to your guide, and try to learn something new ! Even if you're not really into hunting, most local guides are very knowledgeable not only about hunting, but also about the local area, history, geography, and nature...
For us, pheasant hunting was a great father-son experience ( check out the video below ), and if you're looking for our recommendations for a guide, check out our new website "Best Hunting & Fishing Guides"
Tips On Visiting Mt Rainier National Park From Sunrise
Planning to visit Mount Rainier National Park from Sunrise side ? Looking for detailed info, and the best hikes ?
In this blog post we'll share everything you need to know to plan your visit to Mt Rainier National Park from Sunrise side !
But first things first...
Should you visit Sunrise or Paradise ?
While the final decision will be entirely up to you, our main reasons for visiting Sunrise were hiking, and stargazing !
At an elevation of 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park, and the best place in the park for stargazing, and getting "up close and personal" with the Mountain !On clear summer days, Sunrise provides breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, Emmons glacier, vibrant wildflower meadows. Sunrise Point offers nearly 360-degree views of the surrounding valleys, Mount Rainier, and other volcanoes in the Cascade Range such as Mount Adams. These views and an excellent trail system make Sunrise the second most visited location in the park.
Time To Visit
Unlike Paradise, Sunrise is only open for a short period of time. The Sunrise Road usually opens in late June or early July and closes in late September to early October. Check the road status before setting out.
BUT...
The view from the north looking south to Mount Rainier will give you a great look at the Milky Way over Mount Rainier (if the clouds cooperate).
When planning your trip check the National Weather Service site to gauge how clear the skies are going to be during your visit.
With close-up views of the massive Emmons Glacier, and hundreds of acres of meadows bursting with wildflowers, Sunrise rivals the more popular Paradise when it comes to scenic splendor.
The road to Sunrise ( HWY 410 ) is a two lane road which gets congested in the summer ( and especially on the weekends ! ), so be prepared for a slow ride !
TIP:
When is the best time to visit Sunrise ?
I'd say during the week, early in the morning ( before 10am ), but even then, chances are you'll encounter traffic...
Also don't forget to top off your gas tank in Enumclaw or Clearwater as there are no gas stations in the park...
Once at the park entrance, get ready to shell out $15 for the entrance fee ( make sure to bring a debit or credit card as when we were there, they didn't accept cash...)
Camping
As I've mentioned above, Sunrise is very popular all summer long ! Which makes camping at the park a big problem !
Unless you book a camping spot days ( or sometimes weeks ! ) ahead, chances of finding a camping spot at the only campground ( White River campground ) are pretty slim...
TIP:
Even though "officially", sleeping in your car is not allowed, we spent a night in our car with no problem parked not far away from the visitor center/bathrooms...
They also have designated parking for overnight backpackers...
But...
You'll need a wilderness permit which is a pain in the ass to get ( requests must be made at least one week (7 days) in advance of the desired trip start date ).
So, if you're up for a challenge, you can just leave your car away from the visitor center, and hike a few hundred feet up the trail system, and break your camp for the night !
Food/Shopping
There is a small gift shop at the visitor center where you can buy drinks, and snacks, but otherwise there is nowhere to shop at Sunrise... So bring everything you'll need with you if you're planning to stay longer than a day...
Hiking
Hiking is probably the main reason most people visit Mt Rainier National Park !
And, in my personal opinion, choosing between Sunrise or Paradise, I'd go with the first one !
Why ?
Because even if you're not into hiking, Sunrise offers the best opportunity to see Mt Rainier in its best view ! No matter where you're at Sunrise, the mountain is right there in your face !
And if that's not enough, getting "up and close" by hiking is the best way to experience the mountain !
So, what is the best hike at Mt Rainier Sunrise ?
While a lot depends on your physical ability, time, weather, and your personal preferences...
IF :
- you're in good shape
- have at least 2-3 hours
- the weather is nice and sunny
- you have all the necessary gear
And MOST IMPORTANT - if you want to get as close to the top of Mt Rainier as possible !!
We recommend to hike to Burroughs Mt ( 1st or/and 2nd ) !!
Even though this hike is designated as "strenuous", in reality, it's very doable even for kids as young as 8-10 !
You can find more info/maps about the Burroughs Mt hike on Mt Rainier official website /Google...
But, in reality, the trail is very well maintained, marked, and, with the amount of people every day, it's pretty much impossible to get lost !
Check out the video below where our first break we took at 1st Burroughs Mt ( where they have the best bench you'll ever seat on !! ), and the second at the end of the trail with Mt Rainier is teasing you to get to the very top !! ( but DON'T... unless you have all the necessary gear, and experience hiking on snow ! )
Essential Hiking Gear To Bring:
I cannot stress enough the importance of being ready for the environment !
The weather at Mt Rainier is very unpredictable !
No matter how hot, and sunny it might be during the beginning of your hike, it all can change in the blink of an eye !
Make sure to bring a (rain) jacket with you ( or at least a hoodie/sweatshirt )...
Bring plenty of water, and snacks...
Most important - bring sunscreen, and lip balm ( the air in the higher elevations is very thin which dries out your skin much faster ! )
Other Hikes At Sunrise
Our 2nd best would be a hike to Sunrise/Paradise/Clover/Hidden Lakes ( especially if you're planning a backpacking trip ! ).
Why ?
It's very convenient ( next to Sunrise Point observation lookout ), it's relatively short ( to Sunrise/Clover Lakes ), and "relatively" easy ( it's all downhill from the parking lot ).
Also, it's a cool hike if you like fishing !
3rd choice ( VERY ambitious, and adventurous ! ) - Wonderland Trail
Hiking/backpacking the entire length of Wonderland Trail has been on my Bucket List for years !
But if you're short on time ( or your Bucket List goal is becoming less and less important... like mine ), you can opt in for a short(er) hike of a portion of Wonderland Trail !
And Sunrise offers better/easier opportunities to access Wonderland Trail ( comparing to Paradise )...
Other Things To Do At Sunrise
Honestly, other than hiking there isn't much to do...
As I mentioned in the beginning of the post, our other main reason to visit Mt Rainier at Sunrise was stargazing...
TIP:
Once or twice a summer there are star parties at the Sunrise lot as well. Check the park website for current events and times.
From our research, the best time to see shooting stars, and meteor showers is August...
Also, please be considerate of other stargazers and photographers. Try to limit the use of flashlights and your vehicle lights once you park your car. Be hyper aware of headlights. Nothing ruins night vision faster.
You don't need a super expensive equipment to enjoy this amazing experience !
We used 80mm Gskyer Telescope, and it worked out just fine !
Picnicking
Even though I don't consider this to be an "activity", there are tons of people who visit a national park just for that 😥
There is a designated picnicking area behind the visitor center with tables, and grills, but it's quite a walk from the parking lot, and the views are not great...
In conclusion...
Situated in the park’s drier northeastern corner thanks to Mount Rainier’s rain-shadow effect, Sunrise as the name suggests is also one of the first places in the park to capture morning’s early light.
There is really no better feeling than waking up, and having a cup of coffee in the presence of this Nature Beauty !!
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