✈ Flights
Score: 76/100🏠 Accommodation
Score: 82/100🏔 Mt. Rainier
Readiness: 65/100💰 Budget Per Person
Under BudgetLive Flight Prices
Loading...✈ DFW/DAL → SEA | April 16-19, 2026 | 6 Passengers
Book Score: 76/100BOOKING TIMING ANALYSIS
You're at ~70 days before departure — right at the start of the optimal booking window (28-61 days). April is shoulder season with prices up to 40% lower than summer. Booking within the next 2-3 weeks (by late Feb / early March) should capture the sweet spot.
AIRLINE COMPARISON
| Airline | Type | Est. RT Price | Group of 6 | Nonstops/Week | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | Nonstop | $190-250 | $1,140-1,500 | 47 | Most frequent nonstops from DFW |
| Alaska | Nonstop | $163-220 | $978-1,320 | 27 | Best April pricing; SEA is home hub |
| Delta | Nonstop | $200-270 | $1,200-1,620 | 14 | Fewer nonstops; many 1-stop options |
| Southwest | Nonstop | $148-210 | $888-1,260 | Multiple | DAL airport; bags now $35 (as of May '25) |
| United | 1-Stop | $180-260 | $1,080-1,560 | - | Connecting via DEN/IAH; longer travel time |
| Spirit | Nonstop | $148-190 | $888-1,140 | Limited | Lowest base fare; high bag fees |
BAGGAGE FEE COMPARISON (PER BAG, PER DIRECTION)
| Airline | 1st Checked Bag | 2nd Checked Bag | 6 Pax × 1 Bag RT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | $35 | $45 | $420 | $40 at airport |
| Alaska | $35 | $45 | $420 | Club 49 waivers possible |
| Delta | $35 | $45 | $420 | Standard |
| Southwest | $35 | $45 | $420 | Changed May 2025; was free |
| United | $35 | $45 | $420 | $40/$50 at airport |
Live Hotel Prices
Loading...🛣 Road & Access Status
- Paradise Road: OPEN (year-round, may be Fri-Mon only)
- Tire chains: MANDATORY (Nov 1 - May 1)
- Grove of the Patriarchs: CLOSED (until 2027 bridge rebuild)
- Mowich Lake / Tolmie Peak: CLOSED (opens June/July)
- Park entrance: $30/vehicle (credit card only, no cash)
- No timed entry reservations needed in 2026
🌨 Expected April Weather
- High temp: ~39-44°F at Paradise
- Low temp: ~31°F (below freezing)
- 38% chance of precip on any given day
- Only ~31% clear/partly cloudy skies
- 87% average humidity
- Weather changes rapidly — prepare for all conditions
⛳ Available Activities (April)
- Hiking at Paradise — primary activity
- Nisqually Vista trail (easy, scenic views)
- Barn Flat trail (beginner-friendly)
- Reflection Lakes trail (3.75 mi, ~4 hrs)
- Guided tours: Evergreen Escapes, RMI Expeditions
- Check for ranger-led programs on nps.gov
💰 Cost Breakdown (6 people)
- Park entrance: $30/vehicle = $5/person
- Gas (roundtrip): ~$24 = $4/person
- Total per person: ~$9
- No gear rental needed for hiking trails
- Bring your own hiking boots and gear
🚗 Logistics from Capitol Hill
- Distance: 76 miles
- Drive time: 1.5-2.5 hours (avoid rush hour)
- Recommended: Leave mid-morning (~9-10 AM)
- Vehicle: SUV/AWD preferred; chains required regardless
- Car rental estimate: $50-150/day for SUV
- Tip: Check road status on nps.gov morning of trip
🔎 Real-Time Resources (Check Before Trip)
🟤 Day 1 — Thursday, April 16: Arrival
- Fly DFW/DAL → SEA (book afternoon arrival if possible)
- Check in to accommodation (Capitol Hill)
- Evening: Walk to Pike Place Market & Seattle waterfront
- Dinner: Capitol Hill restaurants (reserve ahead for 6)
- Night: Explore Capitol Hill nightlife — Pike/Pine corridor
🌳 Day 2 — Friday, April 17: Mt. Rainier Adventure
- 6:45 AM departure from Seattle Center / Space Needle area
- 9:00 AM stop at Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford for tire chains
- 10:10 AM arrive at Paradise after the Nisqually entrance drive
- Main hike: Skyline Loop with a Myrtle Falls turnaround if upper sections look sketchy
- Packed lunch at Paradise after the hike — do not count on food service
- Return to Seattle by ~5:45 PM to shower and reset for dinner
- REQUIRED Tire chains in vehicle through May 1
- CLOSED Grove of the Patriarchs (until 2027)
- CLOSED Tolmie Peak road (until June)
🎉 Day 3 — Saturday, April 18: Seattle Core Day
- 7:40 AM 10K run from Seattle Center through downtown and the waterfront
- Original Starbucks + Pike Place Market morning block
- Lunch near Pike Place, then REI Seattle Flagship in South Lake Union
- Optional Space Needle window if energy is high
- One intentional brewery stop before heading south
- Mariners game at T-Mobile Park is the evening anchor
✈ Day 4 — Sunday, April 19: Departure
- Pack and check out by 11 AM (confirm checkout time)
- Optional: Brunch in Capitol Hill before heading to airport
- Drive/rideshare to SEA (~20-30 min from Capitol Hill)
- Fly SEA → DFW/DAL (book afternoon departure if possible)
✈ Flight Booking Checklist
- Confirm all 6 passenger names match IDs exactly
- Review baggage allowance (hiking gear needs)
- Book seats together or within 2 rows
- Review change/cancellation policy
- Check credit card travel protections
- Set calendar reminder: check-in 24 hrs before
- Share confirmation with all 6 guests
🏠 Accommodation Booking Checklist
- Verify check-in time (coordinate with flight arrival)
- Confirm parking availability/cost
- Review house rules (bachelor party appropriate?)
- Check kitchen equipment (cooking to save $)
- Verify cancellation deadline
- Screenshot confirmation & save to shared folder
- Message host about group size and plans
🏔 Mt. Rainier Gear Checklist (Per Person)
- Hiking boots (sturdy, waterproof)
- Waterproof outer shell jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Warm base layers (moisture-wicking)
- Insulating mid-layer (fleece/down)
- Winter hat & gloves
- Sunscreen & sunglasses (sun glare!)
- Backpack with water & snacks
- Tire chains for vehicle (MANDATORY)
📋 Pre-Trip Action Items
- Book flights (target: by Feb 28)
- Hotel booked at $1,200 — confirm check-in, parking, and guest names
- Reserve SUV/car rental for Mt. Rainier day
- Buy Mariners tickets before prices climb
- Make dinner reservation for 6 (Day 1)
- Create shared expense tracking (Splitwise?)
- Share packing list with all 6 guests
- Check Mt. Rainier road status (1 week before)
- Check weather forecast (3 days before)
- Buy/arrange tire chains
- Confirm all bookings 48 hours before departure
📋 Dan's Action Items
0/0 Complete
These are Dan's responsibilities. Check items off as you complete them — completed items will be removed from the group email updates.
Flights are on everyone individually (not listed here).
- Hotel booked at $1,200 total — confirm check-in time, parking, and final guest namesTarget: Apr 10Dan
- Reserve SUV/car rental for Mt. Rainier day (Apr 17)Target: Mar 15Dan
- Rent tire chains for Mt. Rainier (required Nov 1–May 1) — Whittaker Mountaineering, 30027 SR-706 E, Ashford WA • (360) 569-2142 • Pick up on the way into the park Apr 17Target: Call by Apr 14Dan
- Buy Mariners tickets for Apr 18 and share seats with the groupTarget: ASAPDan
- Make dinner reservation for 6 (Day 1 — Capitol Hill)Target: Mar 20Dan
- Set up shared expense tracking (Splitwise/Venmo group)Target: Mar 1Dan
- Share packing list & gear requirements with groupTarget: Apr 1Dan
- Check Mt. Rainier road status & conditionsTarget: Apr 9 (1 week before)Dan
- Check Seattle & Paradise weather forecastTarget: Apr 13 (3 days before)Dan
- Confirm all bookings & reservationsTarget: Apr 14 (48 hrs before)Dan
One-car or caravan-friendly day trip. Built around a 9 AM chain pickup at Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford, then straight to Paradise for the full Skyline Loop — 5.5 miles, strenuous, one of the best alpine hikes in the Pacific Northwest. Lunch happens at Paradise after the hike. Home by ~5:45 PM. This is a real hiking day, not a stroll. Come prepared.
nps.gov/mora → Road Status • @MountRainierNPS
🕐 Exact Schedule — April 17, 2026
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Rent/pick up tire chains, confirm fit, restroom if needed. Call ahead — may be on winter hours.
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🚗 Driving Legs
(includes mountain descent + city re-entry)
🏃 Hike Details
Trailhead: Upper Paradise, main trail area
Passes Myrtle Falls, Panorama Point, and Glacier Vista. Expect deep snow on the upper third of the loop. Microspikes or traction devices strongly recommended.
🎰 What to Bring
✅ Warm layers (base + mid)
✅ Hat and gloves
✅ Waterproof hiking boots
✅ Daypack
✅ Packed lunch + snacks
✅ At least 1L water per person
✅ Sunglasses + sunscreen
✅ Phone charger or power bank
✅ Microspikes / traction devices
✅ Trekking poles (optional but helpful in snow)
✅ Credit card (park fee, no cash)
✅ Tire chains (in the vehicle)
✅ Must-Do Checks
🔴 Confirm Longmire gate to Paradise opened on schedule
🔴 Call Whittaker ahead for chain availability — (360) 569-2142
🔴 Confirm chains are physically in the vehicle before the gate
🔴 Bring a credit card for the $30 park entrance fee
🔴 Pack lunch the night before or morning of — nothing to buy at Paradise
🔀 Backup Plan: If Paradise Is Delayed or Closed
🎯 Day 2 Decision Rule
Seattle greatest hits, built for five guys from Texas who came here to actually do stuff. Morning 10K, original Starbucks, Pike Place Market, REI Flagship, a brewery, and a Mariners game anchoring the night. This is the full city day. The game is the non-negotiable — everything else builds toward it.
🕐 Exact Schedule — April 18, 2026
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📍 Stops & Why They Matter
💰 Cost Estimate Per Person
📋 Booking & Reservation Notes
⚠ Book ahead: Space Needle — only if the group is committing to it
🕐 Optional: Brewery table — only if you want a specific sit-down spot
✓ No res needed: Original Starbucks
✓ No res needed: Pike Place Market
✓ No res needed: REI Flagship
👔 What to Wear & Bring
👟 Day shoes for walking after (broken in, not new)
⚾ Mariners gear if anyone has it — wear it to the game
🌧 Light rain layer — Seattle in April shifts fast
🔋 Portable charger — long day, full phone matters
👤 ID for the brewery and ballpark
👃 Sunglasses if weather looks good
💳 Credit card — most vendors around Pike Place and the park are cashless
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