Spend as little time in the exposed and windy parking lot as you can. You'll lose heat and energy getting geared up with all the wind. Instead head to the Visitors Center for limited protection to get your snowshoes on. Once geared up head for the snow expect to be cold in the exposed sections where the wind will rip away your heat. In the trees there's plenty of protection and you'll be much more comfortable. There's a loop that is well wanded and has a groove dug out by previous snowshoers making an easy path to follow. Feel free to roam off the beaten path and explore around the snow everywhere is hard and stable. Be wary off sudden drop offs. Keep in mind this post was put up on 12-6 and conditions can change in an instant.

We hiked the Skyline Trail and Glacier Vista Trail up and down to/from Panorama Point. The trail starts paved and about a mile up becomes ground bordered by large rocks to keep you on the trail. It is approx 2.5 miles to Panorama Point and 1,300 - 1,400 foot elevation gain. Along the way you pass through some of the meadows that Mt. Rainier is famous for, but remember to stay on the trail "Don't be a Meadow Stomper" as the rangers say. We saw Marmouts, deer, and a mountain goat on our hike, which took around 4 hours including a stop at the top for lunch. When we got to the top it was a bit cloudy, but it did disapate enough to see that on a very clear day you could see for miles in almost 360 degrees. Come prepared for any weather and bring lots of water. Both these trails are very well used with LOTS of people.