Mt Rainier National Park 1-3 August 2012

Cheryl and I headed to Mt Rainier from Keizer on 1 Aug.  The weather report looked good, but we had both read that Mt Rainier made its own weather so one never knew!  We drove a bit less than 4 hours before arriving in the park.  Our first stop was the Nisqually River where a trail headed across a foot bridge to Carter Falls.  We stopped to catch a view of Rainier and snag a few photos, stack a few river rocks.  Onward to Christine Falls, then to Narada Falls for some pics and lunch in the car.  We had views of the mountain the entire time - it was stunning!  By the time we reached the crowded parking lot and checked in, the clouds were beginning to obscure the mountain.  Boo!  We hurried to find a parking spot (there were a lot of tourists) and get our shoes on so we could at least hike part way up.  We chose Dead Horse Creek Trail because it was supposed to be more gradual.  We could hardly go two feet without taking a million photos.  I think between the two of us we had 1000!  So glad for digital photography.

Our first view of Rainier from the Nisqually River

 

At the Nisqually River

Christine Falls

Narada Falls

The Lodge at the National Park Paradise

The Tatoosh Range

Scarlett Indian Paintbrush

Pasque Flower (Mouse on a stick)

Buttercup

Mouse on a stick

So many flowers!

Phlox

The Skyline trail continued across the snow but we figured we couldn't see the mountain anyway so we would pray for better weather in the morning.

As we hiked further and further, we got into more and more snowfields and we did not have our proper boots on, nor did we have our poles.  We called it quits at 1.5 miles up because it became so foggy that we could not see where or if the next snowfield ended. 

We headed back to the lodge and snagged some dinner and went back to our cramped tiny room for a night in.
The next morning we awoke to a mountain covered in fog and clouds so we took our time getting ready.  Had some oatmeal at the cafe and waited.  Soon, though, the clouds started clearing and we got our act together and headed out around 8a to head up to the top of Skyline trail...1700 ft above our present position - as high as you really can go without an ice ax and proper boots.  Some people go up to Camp Muir or to the Paradise Glacier, but we didn't want to risk the snowfields.

 

We decided to go in a counter clockwise direction because we had headed up counter clockwise the previous day.  This turned out to be an excellent decision as we were not passed by any people the entire morning.  It wasn't until we reached the top that we started running into people!
Our first stop was Myrtle Falls and the creek.  Very pretty in the morning sun.

Myrtle Falls

Myrtle Creek

We headed up the Golden Gate trail because Rangers had told us that there were more snow fields on the Skyline trail and possibly a trail closure at the 4th crossing trail.  We weren't sure. This actually cut .4 of a mile off our hike.  The trail was very pretty.  The glacier lilies were like starry pinpoints in the meadows.

As we climbed we met some playful and lazy marmots.  Tried to get them to pose properly but I think they were camera shy.

The views were so beautiful.  More and more snow.  Switchbacks and soon we were on the ridge on the back side of a huge valley.

Mt Rainier was out!  We saw some Marmots playing in the snow in the valley.

Mouse on a Stick

Heading for the switchbacks

Almost to the ridgeline

Now we are on the backside - very rocky, dry, and barren...but there are still flowers.  Just not as many.

We hiked through more and more snow fields and hiked the trail as it hugged the mountain.  The views of the valley were opening up but we could not see the Tatoosh Range at all because clouds had never left those mountains.  In fact, it looked like Rainier had become cloud covered again as well.

 

This  (above) was our view of Mt Rainier as we came upon the Pebble Creek trail that heads up to Camp Muir.  We found a great rock to sit on and we decided to have this great view as we ate our lunch.  As we ate, the clouds suddenly dissolved away and we had a full on view of Mt Rainier.  It was magnificent.  And while we were sitting there we could hear the booms and cracks of avalanches over and over.  We even saw one  happen.

After enjoying this great lunch spot we began our descent via the Skyline trail to Panorama Point (6800ft).  We even found a bathroom nearby!  Built right into the hillside.  Very opportune.

We enjoyed lots more views of Rainier on the way down, many flowers and lots more people heading up.  The clouds did their thing by 2:30-3p and began to obscure Rainier again.  We enjoyed the wispy fog though, very pretty.

When we came to the fork to go to Alta Vista, we took it.  It meant gaining some altitude again but it turned out to have a lovely view of the valley.  I headed out on some rocks for a photo op.

We continued down to the Lodge and wrapped up our hike around 4p.  It had only been a 5 mile hike but we managed to turn it into an all day affair by stopping so much to enjoy the beauty of the place.  It was amazing.
We checked out our photos and had some dinner and decided to take an evening walk over to the Skyline Trail out of Myrtle Falls.  It was foggy by then, but quiet and still.  We had the trail to ourselves.

We sat in the lodge communal room for a bit, then headed to bed.  The chances were good that the next day was going to be sunny and hot.

And it was!  We got up and out at 7a for some photos  before breakfast.

We headed back to the lodge, ate some snacks for breakfast in the room (after getting some coffee) and then packed up to go.  Our plan was to head for the Stevens Canyon entrance/exit and catch Hwy 12 out that way.

First stop was Paradise creek and some shooting stars.

Avalanche Lily

Shooting star

As we left we saw this fox on the rocks by the road.

Next stop was Reflection Lake.  A nice tourist told us how to get the reflection of Rainier - climbing down by the water to get the mountain to show up in the still water that was closer to the shore.  So we did.

Our next destination was to hike the 2.5 mile trail (RT) to Snow Lakes.  It was a crazy up and down trail as we crossed ridges.  We had a view of Rainier in brilliant sunshine if we looked behind us.  Ahead of us we saw Unicorn peak and other Tatoosh range peaks.

Unicorn Peak (at its base is Snow Lake)

First we came upon Bench lake but we didn't go down to it.  The temps were heating up and we were becoming uncomfortable.  One family passed us and beat us to Snow lake.  We went off in another direction and I was able to find the perfect picture taking spot.  We had a snack and hiked out.

Bench Lake

Snow Lake

We stopped at a box canyon to see the glaciated rocks and the 130 ft deep skinny canyon.  It was a short walk.

glacier smoothed basalt

the canyon

Box Canyon

The last stop was a short 1.3 mile hike through the Grove of the Patriarchs.  This is an old growth forest along the Ohanapecosh River.  The river is crossed on a suspension bridge that holds one person at a time.  The trees in the special grove are large but not as large as redwoods.  The nurse logs, however, beat any I have seen for the number of large trees they support!

Giant nurse log...the trees kept on going!

We left the park around 3p and took home many photos and fun memories.  Thanks to Cheryl for taking the time to spend it with me at Mt Rainier!