By Brenda Sexton

The Courier-Herald

It's not called Sunrise for nothing.

&#8220Morning is the ideal time. It's just beautiful,” Mount Rainier National Park interpreter Jim Morrison said.

He's spent a number of summers watching the sun rise and set in the northeast corner of the park. He is also among the staff celebrating Sunrise's 75th anniversary.

&#8220We consider it the best kept secret in the park,” he said of the stunning vistas and the miles of hiking trails. &#8220It's a special place and we wanted to acknowledge that.”

Sunrise is about a 45-minute drive from Enumclaw - off state Route 410, about 15 miles through Mount Rainier National Park's White River entrance. The entrance fee for a seven-day pass is $15. And, Morrison noted, wildflower season should be at its peak in the coming week.

&#8220I always told people it's where you get the true size of Mount Rainier,” said Duane Nelson, who was the interpreter there from 1959 to 1989.

&#8220I spent 30 summers, most of it at Sunrise,” he said, with his wife Clara at his side. Clara, who volunteered and worked at a variety of jobs, he said, was known as Mrs. Sunrise.

Part of Nelson's responsibilities at Sunrise was, from time to time, presenting a history walk.

&#8220It's an interesting story,” he said.

Sunrise, he noted, was originally a planned development, laid out with great thought toward protecting the environment.

The South Block House, which still stands, was built, he said, and then there was to be a large hotel like the Paradise Inn. But the Depression nixed those plans. The 215 housekeeping cabins built in anticipation of the hotel never took with the public, so around World War II they were sold and moved. The scars from those cabins remain.

&#8220Overnight accommodations never materialized after that,” Morrison said.

Even though he retired, he still ventures back to Sunrise. He was there for Mount Rainier National Park's 100th anniversary in 1999 and he and Clara still volunteer occasionally. On a recent Saturday he was meeting with visitors and pointing out interesting facts and points of interest.

He said Sunrise's high country provides the best views of the largest glaciers - Emmons and Winthrop.

Morrison agrees. He said Sunrise's 1,000-foot higher elevation over Paradise provides commanding views of not just Mount Rainier, but Mount Baker and Mount Adams.

&#8220There's a tremendous view,” Morrison said. &#8220If you're back on the ridge you get this sweeping, panoramic view.”

In addition to plenty of hiking, Sunrise offers a lodge with gift shop and a visitor and interpretive center. During the summer, the only time there is access to Sunrise, special programs are available including walks and talks, a junior ranger program on Saturdays and evening programs at the White River Campground Thursdays through Saturday.

Because the road isn't plowed, Sunrise has a short season. It opens to visitors in late-June or early-July and closes up around mid-September.

For more information contact the Sunrise Visitor Center at 360-663-2425.