But beyond the breathtaking views, the byway is also a haven for outdoor recreation such as hiking, wildlife photography ... indeed a good alternative to Mount Rainier National Park.

Views along the way include displays of subalpine wildflowers, Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier, and, on a clear day, peaks as far south as Oregon's Mount Hood. According to visitors ...

Mount Rainier and North Cascades national parks each saw six employees let go last week, while Olympic National Park lost five, said Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of ...