Copper Creek Inn Ashford, WA

 Summertime photo courtesy of National Park Service

      Although this is not the optimal time to visit Mount Rainier National Park, it is still accessible with plenty of spectacular views to be had.  We have visited the park many times and have even stopped here to eat, but perhaps only now in my 'later middle aged years' did I realize that I took this place for granted.  This was another 'RESTAURANT REVIEW' far overdue. This was a day trip to break the monotony of a late developing spring here, or never ending winter depending on how you think of it.  We even treated Roux the Wonderpup to a day out.  We left Tumwater early enough as it is a 2 hour drive here, all two lane winding country roads gaining elevation into the Cascade Mountains.

      We chose to stop here on the way up to the mountain.  Located about 2 miles west of the Nisqually gate to the park, Copper Creek Inn   coppercreekinn.com/   is a quaint, homey, integral part of the Mount Rainier experience.  Now not only is it a restaurant and gift shop, they offer 14 different cozy cabins throughout the nearby forests for lodging.  From two story rental homes to the Copper Creek Lodge to single, romantic cabins, they have it all.  Prices, of course, vary greatly from $89 to $550 per night.

Photo courtesy of Copper Creek Inn

Photo courtesy of Copper Creek Inn

Photo courtesy of Copper Creek Inn

      Our visit was, of course, to the restaurant as we yearned to try more of the myriad of delicious dishes as well as their world famous dessert.  We arrived around lunch time, but they do serve a wide variety of breakfast menu as well.  coppercreekinn.com/menu.html  The CC Restaurant is what you would expect in a western mountain venue:  small, comfortable, quaint, and warm.  

      After a long drive through winding mountain roads through Ohop Bob,Elbe, LaGrande, and Ashford Barb were glad to be seated for a bit.  Perusing the menu gave us no relief as there were too many delicious choices.  Finally, after a bit of mulling, chatting with the waitress, and hot coffee Barb decided on the Bacon Blue Cheese Burger while I chose the BLT w/Garlic Taters.  We both chowed down like we'd been on the mountain.  

Bacon Blue Cheese Burger

BLT w/Garlic Redskins

      No meal in this world could ever be topped off better than a with warm piece of Copper Creek Wild Blackberry Pie.  Two pieces with forks and top off my coffee, please.  Total price for our lunch?  $40

Oh, baby.....

      From here we ventured on to the mountain itself.  A journey full of forests, waterfalls, ice, snow, and the peak itself.  Conservationist John Muir himself said it best........

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

      We traveled through Longmire and as far as Paradise to view the majestic peak in all her beauty.  Though the area is still very much covered in deep snow we enjoyed the visit.  It was a day trip, yet not to be wasted.  

Still 10-16' of snow at Paradise Lodge

      Copper Creek Inn is a wonderful little café with plenty of good food.  Barb and I both enjoyed our meals; would probably rate them both 'good'.  The pie was 'excellent' as always, but I always wish for a more sugary crust.  The service was 'okay', but in all fairness it is Spring Break and there was only a single waitress working.  She was quite friendly with us.  This is definitely worth the stop.  I rate this the full 5 stars. 

"Every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure"  

Irving Wallace

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