family cragging at Royal Columns/elsewhere near Rainier NP?

Hi NW folks,
My Colorado-based family is doing a road trip this summer, and we'll be meeting up with Seattle friends at Mt Rainier in mid-July. My family climbs, and our friends would love for us to take them climbing while we're together (they do some gym climbing, but nothing outside). Both families have 9 year-old girls and 5 year-old boys. The older girls can both TR 5.9s, and the younger kids may not even want to climb, but if they do, it'll need to be on some 5.5-5.8 toprope terrain.

Looking around the MP pages, I see that the Tieton River crags would not be too far, and the Royal Columns area looks to offer a good range of easy-to-moderate single pitch lines (maybe even some with simple top anchor situations?) that might work.

Anyone have any experience bringing children up to the Royal Columns? Is the approach manageable? Is the base area safe enough for kids hanging around and poking at stuff? Is there somewhere else near Mt Rainier that you would recommend instead?

Thanks for any info you can give me. I'm sure my little party sounds like your worst nightmare of crag neighbors, so in return for any beta you share, I'll let you know when we'll be in town so you can steer clear of whichever crag you direct me to... ;)

Much obliged,

Josh

Access shouldn't be a problem--maybe 10 minutes or so on a trail. It's been a few years, but I don't remember any walkoffs, so routes would require leading. Anchors are good. All the easier stuff is cracks, and a 5.4 gets your attention. Big concern is rattlesnakes during the summer, so kids wandering around would be problematic.

Thanks for the advising, Skibo. I read some about those snakes-- we'll see.

Approach hike has some steepness to harden the younguns, and you can hike around and up to the left side of Royal Columns to setup too ropes, though you may find it quicker to just lead up one of pitches there. Lotsa choices from low to higher grade. It's a little cramped up there if the kids get antsy and heat may be a concern, but if you keep em climbing it should be gravy. Maybe bring some extra anchor material; can't remember what has chains and what doesn't. We've had to extend things there IIRC.

Sweet-- thanks for the info. I appreciate the help.

+1 for snakes. I saw a half-dozen rattlers between Royal Columns and the Bend in one day a few years ago. Also, Royal Columns will be very, very hot in July. Good chance of 100 degrees, very likely above 90. Maybe look at Lava Point, which is closer to Mt Rainier, at higher elevation and cooler, has a nice view, and has some moderate sport lines. Not super easy to top-rope without leading, though.

Tieton will be super hot. Exit 38 has a lot of moderate sport that is ok for beginners and is super close to Seattle. Not super scenic, but there are some nice swimming holes. Index is the real gem.

This is very helpful, all. Thank you for the advice. It's good to know about some alternatives around the area.