Visit the 10th Mountain Division Memorial

10th Mountain Division Memorial at Paradise

NPS Photo

Over the course of World War II, Mount Rainier National Park served as a winter training and testing ground for the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and other military units. The 87th Mountain Infantry from which the 10th Mountain Division was formed, trained at Paradise in skiing and mountaineering during the winter of 1941-1942.

The 10th Mountain Division spearheaded the final battles in Italy during World War II by taking Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere in the Apennines, first to break into the Po Valley, cutting highway 9 to Lake Garda, which blocked the escape route to the Brenner Pass in the Alps, leading to the end of World War II in Italy, May 2, 1945.

The 10th Mountain Division Memorial is located at the junction of the Waterfall Trail and Alta Vista Trail in Paradise. To get to the memorial, hike up the Skyline trail from the Paradise parking lot and turn left when you get to the Waterfall trail junction. Continue for a short distance until you get to the Alta Vista trail junction. Look for a bench and a small rock with a bronze plaque on it. Paradise is open year-round but the memorial is covered by the snow in the winter.

Details

Duration

30-60 Minutes

Activity

Museum Exhibits

This is a memorial that requires a short hike up a steep paved trail.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Park entrance fee required

Location

Paradise

The 10th Mountain Division Memorial is located at the junction of the Waterfall Trail and Alta Vista Trail in Paradise.

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Paradise is open year-round but the memorial is covered by the snow in the winter.

Accessibility Information

This section of Skyline, Waterfall, and Alta Vista Trail is paved and close to the parking lot; however, the incline is steep and the pavement can be uneven in places.