MOUNT RAINIER Discover temperate rainforest, old growth forest, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, subalpine wildflower meadows and over 280 wildlife species on slopes below the most glaciated peak in the Continental U.S. The national park in Washington State, encompassing the 14,410-foot-high volcano, attracts 2.5 million visitors a year; in summer, visit midweek when it is less crowded. Stay at the 110-yearold Paradise Inn, open from May to October. Activities include hiking, visiting a reindeer ranch, skiing and snowshoeing in winter. MOUNT WASHINGTON Drive to the top of New England’s highest mountain via the Mount Washington Auto Road, America’s first man-made tourist attraction that was completed in 1861. While it is typically open from May to October, you can get there year-round on the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world’s first cog railway which opened eight years later. On a clear day, enjoy views from the 6,288foot summit in New Hampshire as far as 130 miles to Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Quebec and the Atlantic. Feel on top of the world on summit adventures from Washington State out west to New Hampshire in the east. ASPEN SNOWMASS Enjoy summer and winter activities aplenty in Colorado’s premier mountain destination. Apart from the two lively towns of Aspen and Snowmass, it boats four mountains – Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass – offering over 5,700 acres of skiable terrain, accessible on a single lift pass. In summer there’s hiking, mountain biking and much more. PALM SPRINGS Climb aboard the world’s largest rotating cable car, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, for the two-and-a-half-mile journey up the Chino Canyon cliffs. At the Mountain Station, more than 8,500 feet high, look out across the Coachella Valley’s parched Sonora Desert floor and the Californian city of Palm Springs before exploring hiking trails through pine forested Mount San Jacinto State Park. Take warm clothing as temperatures can be 40 degrees Fahrenheit cooler at the top. Slope off and enjoy mountain highs across the calendar, whether it’s winter sports or hiking, biking and other summer activities Peak seasons MOUNTAIN HIGHS PETER ELLEGARD MARK DOWNEY – STATE OF WASHINGTON TOURISM Pan for gold and then ride an alpine slide, mountain coaster or zipline at the Park City Mountain Adventure Park in Utah 36 visitusa.org.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjAzNTM3