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Millard's guide book
Ashford, Washington
Ashford Creek Pottery and Art Museum
Right downtown little ol Ashford you will find an enchanting little pottery barn and art museum. Find incredible hand crafted pottery as well as other amazing mountain inspired gifts. Wander on upstairs and find an incredible art gallery showcasing some of the PNW's most incredible artists!
WELLSPRING SPA
Started in 1983 and one of the best kept secrets in Ashford. Enjoy an assortment of restorative, professional spa services as well as hot tubs and saunas. Head to their site to email them today and lock in your relaxation session.
Longmire
Open year around, Longmire is Mt. Rainier's first visitor center. Grab a bite to eat at the inn restaurant, browse the museum, or speak with a ranger on trail conditions. Also don't forget to check out the little general store for great keep sakes and PNW inspired gear. Scroll down for more on Mt. Rainier National Park.
Tahoma Trail System
Mount Tahoma Trail System
If you enjoy cross country skiing then you must spend some time on the Tahoma Trail System. Experience their hut to hut skiing experience. You'll love it. Even better, it is all volunteer ran making for an even better experience.
Fishing Near Ashford
Nothing beats fishing in the mountains. Spend time on Alder Lake just 25 minutes south from Ashford, fish the Nisqually river that is jut 15 minute walk from the cabin, or follow up SR 52 and fish Skate Creek. Between these fishing areas you will find salmon, steelhead, whitefish, and trout. Please check the WA fishing regulations found here.
Whittaker's
Whittakers is a one stop shop for everything you may need before you head in to the woods or back to the cabin. Their cafe has great coffee and breakfast sandwiches, Base Camp Grill has awesome food and beer and their outfitter shop has anything you may have forgotten to bring to get out on the mountain.
Visit their site here
Trail Head Bar and Grill (Temp Closed)
Recently renovated and rejuvenated with a new menu, this adult bar and grill is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat and a beer on top! Check it out right down town Ashford.
Copper Creek Inn
Looking for a good meal and one of the coziest places around? Look no further than copper creek inn. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner they have you covered! Oh and don't forget to try a shake you won't regret it!
Visit their site here
Wildberry
From traditional American dishes to Nepal inspired plates you won't regret stopping in to Wildberry. Great staff, awesome outdoor seating and above all delicious food. Just outside the park's gate its conveniently located to refuel after a good hike!
Visit their site here
Paradise Village
Recently renovated Paradise Village has a beautiful little restaurant with great dishes! Their bakery/cafe is great for breakfast and their dinning space is beautiful and cozy.
Visit their site here
Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually Entrance
Just 4 miles from Fillmore's Landing is the Nisqually entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. Right through the gate you drive among beautiful trees, cross many rivers and creeks, see small falls, and more. Stop in at Longmire for coffee and a talk with the park ranger. Get the updates on weather and trail conditions before heading in to the park further.
Not sure what trail you should hit? Although there are too many too count, some of our favorites are below.
Love vast water falls and a good hike? Check out Comet falls shown on the left. From the same trail check out the beautiful drops of the glacial river shown on the right.
On your way further into the park, stop at beautiful view points to see the awe striking beauty of Mt. Rainier. Don't forget to head all the way up to Paradise and just enjoy the panoramic views!
Other hikes:
Narada Falls
Van Trump Park
Lakes Trail
Christine Falls
Camp Muir (huge climb, but so worth it)
PACKWOOD WASHINGTON
Next to Millard's Cabin
Explore all the Wonders of the Beautiful Cowlitz River Valley
White Pass Ski Area
One of the shinning features of Millard's Cabin is its proximity to White Pass Ski Area. White pass is everything you want in a ski hill. Good terrain, a high camp with great beer, incredible views, and all the while feeling like your mom and pop ski spot. Hit the slopes and enjoy good snow and panoramic views, or spend time in their Nordic area snow showing or cross country skiing. In the summer time, hit the mountain bike trails or take a beautiful hike. All in all you wont regret the 15 minute drive from the cabin!
Packwood Brewing Co
All the PNW feels with some increidble craft brews and small bites. This place has a great atmosphere for friends to gather in. Spend some time here after a good hike after hitting the ski slope. Between the good beer and the friendly staff you'll love it here.
See their site here
Blue Spruce Bar
This is everything you could want in a mountain town dive bar. Great bar food, fun atmosphere, big tv's for game day, and friendly staff. The spruce is a stable of Packwood and a fun place to stop!
See their site here
Cliff Droppers
You need a burger? Head to Cliff Droppers. Dine in and hang out on the picnic tables while enjoying a cold beer and delicious burger. Remember to get their fry sauce, its too dang good. Oh, and the tots. Have to get he tots!
See their site here
Cruisers Pizza
Craving a good slice of pizza or need some good breakfast? Cruisers is your spot! Order a pie as you are coming off the hill, pick it up and eat it around the fire at the cabin. Makes for the perfect end to the night!
See their site here
Fat Elk Pottery
Local artists that make incredible pottery right here in Packwood! Their handcrafted mugs and more are an incredible way to remember your trip to Packwood. Stop in and see them or check out their store on Etsy!
Mt. Rainier National Park
Stevens Canyon Entrance
Just 10 miles from Millard's cabin, access Mt. Rainier Park via the Stevens Canyon Entrance. From this side of the park enjoy wonderful walks in the massive pines of the PNW and amazing blue rivers by exploring the grove of the patriarchs (Shown Left) or take a quick hike up the river to Silver Falls (shown right). Want to expansive views of the mountain? Drive on towards paradise from Stevens Canyon and enjoy massive panoramic views! Check out a few other hikes listed below both in and out of the park.
Other hikes:
Tatoosh Mountain
Stevens Canyon Waterfalls
High Lakes Loop
Shriner Peak (Expert)
Hikes outside the Park
Packwood Lake
Goat Rocks Wilderness
Henskin Lake
Resources
Washington Trails Association (WTA)
Find trail reports, photos and difficulty ratings of hikes in the area!
All Trails
Find trail reports, photos and difficulty ratings of hikes in the area!
Guest trip reports
We love hearing all about the adventures guests had while they stay in the mountains and their awesome trips should inspire your next adventure too!
Check out below to view submitted trip reports!
Want to share your trip with the world? Shoot us a note. We would love to hear your story!
Guest Trip Report
October, 2021
We stayed at Millard's Cabin in Packwood. We were able to check in early, and we took the 8 mile round trip hike out to Packwood Lake. The views did not disappoint. After our hike we stopped by Packwood Brewing and had a delicious white pass pale ale and some tacos! After we went back to the cabin and settled in, soaked in the amazing cedar hot tub and spent time around the fire in the backyard. It was a perfect 2 night stay in the chilly (but somehow dry) month of October. Can't wait to come back and explore more of Packwood!
Guest Trip Report
September, 2022
An early fall friends trip with perfect weather. We stayed at Fillmore's Landing in Ashford. While waiting for the cabin to be prepared, we headed to the Comet Falls trail head. The trail was an easy grade out and back and the falls are beautiful. We had lunch by the water, saw a mountain goat walking on the opposite side of the trail and then headed back to the car. It was a perfect day trip hike. We stopped at Longmire on the way out to explore a little more and by the time we got out of the park the cabin was ready early for us and so we checked in.
Our overnight stay at Fillmore's was the perfect after hike spot. We soaked in the cedar hot tub, drank by the fire, and fell asleep to the cool fall PNW nights. The trip was a perfect way to show out of town friends just how amazing the PNW is!
Guest Trip Report
July 2021
In early July we set out of the Cascades for some much needed R&R. My husband had just returned from a long deployment and some time in the woods was exactly what we needed. Taking the easy drive from Tacoma to Ashford you wind through beautiful mountain roads, along beautiful teal water lakes and through the adorable town of Elbe. (The Mt. Rainier express looks a must-do there!)
We arrived at Fillmore's Landing in the late afternoon on check in day. We spent the afternoon settling in, sipping drinks on the back deck and grilling dinner. You could even hear the creek running in the woods behind the cabin!
The next morning, although the clouds had rolled in, we went to the famous High Rock Lookout. Although our views were blocked by the clouds, the short 3 mile (but kind of steep) hike was a perfect way to get out in the woods and enjoy the beautiful nature just minutes from the cabin's driveway! There was just a little snow still on the ground, but the trail was easy to find and mostly clear. The best thing about post hike was sliding into the hot cedar soaked water of the beautiful hot tub. It was a dream!
Short, beautiful Drives to Adventure!
