Question for those that have been there before....is the experience similar to say hiking in and around Yosemite with regard to crowds and such?
I was denied a permit, but think I've got an itinerary and timeframe that could get me onto the trail via walkup. It would involve some nights at the bigger front country campgrounds and I would just need to score a handful of backcountry camps to make it all work. I'd be going around mid-Sept as well. However, as I've been doing more research, it's starting to sound like Rainier is a giant tourist destination and I may not get much quiet backcountry time. So I'm starting to question if I want to go somewhere else this fall.
I'd appreciate any insights you all may have. Thank You!