Thinking about taking a trip to Mount Rainier National Park this winter? You might want to think twice about it if you are not properly prepared.

The park was ranked the second-deadliest national park to visit during the winter season by personal injury attorneys at John Foy & Associates.

To determine which U.S. national parks were the deadliest, the attorneys analyzed mortality data provided by the U.S. National Park Service. They analyzed deadly incidents that happened between Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, or Feb. 29 if it was a leap year, from 2007 to 2023. Average visitation numbers during the period analyzed were also taken into consideration, and the parks were then ranked by the highest numbers of winter deaths per 10 million visitors.

National parks that received fewer than 10 million visitors between 2007 and 2023 were not taken into account for this study.

According to the study, these were the top five deadliest national parks in the U.S.:

1. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park — 12.19 deaths per 10 million visitors
2. Mount Rainier National Park — 8.55 deaths per 10 million visitors
3. Lake Mead National Recreation Area — 6.23 deaths per 10 million visitors
4. Death Valley National Park — 5.87 deaths per 10 million visitors
5. Grand Canyon National Park — 5.45 deaths per 10 million visitors

But what makes Mount Rainier National Park the second-deadliest national park in the U.S.?

Mount Rainier National Park among deadliest parks to visit in winter

Mount Rainier National Park, located southeast of Tacoma, is named after and is home to the beloved active stratovolcano Mount Rainier.

On a clear day, it's easy to be taken aback by the mountain's size and beauty. The top of Mount Rainier, which sits at 14,411 feet of elevation, remains consistently blanketed in white snow regardless of the time of year, but the snow increases during the fall and winter as winter weather sets in.

There's no denying that Mount Rainier's large stature and diverse landscape make it extremely appealing to visitors and draws in about 1.75 million visitors every year who want to see it up close, according to the Mount Rainier Institute.

While visiting MRNP is a must if you live or visit Washington, doing so during the winter can be dangerous since the park sits at 1,600 feet of elevation at its lowest point and 14,408 feet of elevation at its highest point.

During the winter season, several park roads close including White River, Sunrise and Route 410/123, according to the NPS. Park roads that remain open during the winter are usually covered in snow or icy so park visitors are required to carry tire chains and are encouraged to check road status before going.

According to the park's website, trails at higher elevations can experience winter-like conditions through June or July.

Still, though, many people decide to make the trek and do the dangerous hike to summit Mount Rainier — even during the winter season.

According to the study, the park sees 8.55 winter deaths per 10 million park visitors, which is 191% higher than the national average. The most common cause of death is falls, attributed to six out of the 19 deaths that happened during the period analyzed.

"The challenging climb attracts thousands of mountaineers each year; however, it requires a high level of skill due to the elevation and weather conditions," notes the study.

According to the NPS, park visitors should be aware of the following in terms of safety:

• Rapid change in mountain weather can turn into a "survival ordeal," and it can be difficult to navigate in harsh winter conditions.
• There are shorter days during the winter so do not expect to cover the same amount of distance as you would during the summer.
• Make sure you are ready to drive on winter roads and know which roads are open. Many roads close in the winter, close early, or are only open on certain days.
• Use traction devices such as shoe chains to avoid slipping or falling when roads, sidewalks and trails are icy.
• Avalanches in the park are most common after storm — avoid camping or traveling near an avalanche zone.
• Avoid walking near anywhere that you may hear running water as you can fall through thin snow bridges.
• Avoid stepping onto ledges of snow that overhang an edge because they could collapse.
• Avoid getting too close to trees as you may fall into loose snow which can cause an injury.
• Being exposed to cold temperatures may result in hypothermia, so wear appropriate clothing that can help retain body heat and protect against the wind and rain, eat frequently, avoid exhaustion and seek shelter.

Here are 10 winter essentials backcountry skiers, snowshoers, and campers should be equipped to survive nights out, according to the NPS:

1. A shovel to dig a snow cave
2. A full length insulated sleeping pad
3. Stove and fuel
4. Heat packs
5. Goggles and wool hats
6. At least three layers of gloves
7. Avalanche transceiver
8. Avalanche probe which is a metal rod used to locate victims
9. Map, compass and GPS
10. Must be able to assess mountain weather and avalanche hazards

     ___

     (c)2024 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)

     Visit The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) at www.TheNewsTribune.com

     Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.