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How to Pick Wild Blueberries on Mount Rainier

Known for its dramatic landscapes of glaciers, dense forests and snowfields, Mount Rainier National Park in Washington draws 2 million visitors every year. At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. Berry picking is a common activity throughout the park, particularly in the months of August and September. Picking berries for non-commercial purposes is allowed, but pick only the berries you can consume on the spot to avoid harm to Mount Rainier's ecosystem.

Instructions

- 1
  Find a trail in the months of August or September that takes you above 2,000 feet in elevation. Examples in Mount Rainier National Park include the Spray Park Trail or the Naches Peak Loop.
- 2
  Look for blueberry bushes in open meadows and lining the lakes. Sunny slopes with southern exposures are excellent spots for finding berries, according to the Western Trails Association.
- 3
  Choose plump, full blueberries with a light grayish-blue color. Unripe berries contain hints of red, but they will ripen after they are picked if kept at room temperature. However, white- and green-hued blueberries will not ripen after they are picked.
- 4
  Hold your basket or bucket under the blueberry bushes. Gently rub a berry bunch with your fingers. Ripe berries will drop, while unripe ones will stay on the bush.

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