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The weather was great and the top of the mountain in full sunshine when we stopped at a hairpin turn in the road and had our first clear view of the northern slopes. The lodge at Sunrise is for day use only, so we stopped only for lunch and a quick look around. To the north we noticed several people taking a hike while others had a picnic lunch with a nice view.


 

We continued driving around the eastern and southern side of the mountain. Our destination was the Paradise Lodge where we would stay for two nights. Along the way we could see the top of the mountain slowly clouding over, and when we arrived at Paradise the top was no longer visible. The scenery, however, was magnificent just the same.



 


 


After we checked in at the lodge there was enough time to take a short hike to Myrtle Falls. It is only half a mile on a paved trail, but the view of the mountain is good and there are lots of wild flowers along the trail. The lodge itself is almost 100 years old. In the main lounge there are some comfortable chairs, two fire places, a large grandfather clock and a piano. A unique feature is the paper lanterns decorated with various wild flowers. However, the rooms are small with a bathroom reminiscent of an old cruise ship. But we were here not to 'relax'. We wanted to do some serious hiking and to enjoy Mother Nature!


The following morning I was up before sunrise hoping to catch the sun on the peak of the mountain. Alas, it was mostly cloudy and Mount Rainier was not going to show its top that day. The peaks of the Tatoosh Range to the south made up for the disappointment. Here are some more pictures of my early stroll while Sharon was in bed or getting ready for breakfast and our hiking day on the mountain. Notice the lodge down below.

 


 

After a nice breakfast (dinners are not so great here) we started our hike up the mountain. We picked up a map at the mountaineering building and decided to do most of the 'Skyline Trail' including Alta Vista Point. I knew that the trail is steep in some spots, so we would just have to see how far we would make it. The whole loop is more than five miles long, but there is a short cut to reduce that to 4.4 miles. Not too long? Keep in mind that there is also a 1000 foot elevation change, and that for us old fogies is not too easy!

 

 


We were climbing rapidly and there were very few people on the trail this early. That gave us a chance to see our first marmot and a chipmunk looking for food. There are wild flowers such as the green corn lily mixed with alpine asters and brightly colored paint brush. Then there are the unusual, such as this grass with its strange black top.

 

   


We were getting up there and after a few more minutes we reached the point where we had a clear view of the Nisqually Glacier and its waterfalls. We were now actually looking down on the ice. This was also where snow patches covered the ground next to the trail.

 

   


At this point there were two groups of alpine climbers catching up with us. These hardy souls were on their way to the top of Mount Rainier. I trailed behind and talked to the last guide about their journey. They would stay at Camp Muir (elevation 10,188 feet) where there is a primitive shelter for the night. Then early the following morning, and with approval regarding weather conditions, they would go to the top and all the way back down to the lodge again. That means a climb of more than 3000 feet and a vertical drop of about 9000 feet. No, thank you, not at my age!



Sharon and I had decided to go on and at least see the view from Panorama Point. "Just a bit further," I kept telling my dear wife. She doesn't do steep areas very well and tends to hug the uphill side of the trail. But after some more climbing we reached the highest point (so we thought) and had a nice view of the surrounding mountain tops and the valley below. We were now at 6800 feet elevation. It was time for a bite to eat and a potty stop.

 

 

 

The map showed that we were at the highest point of the trail and that it would be all downhill on the east side. However, the trail was closed, covered with deep snow and un passable unless we had ice axes. We had to take the 'high Skyline trail' and that meant some more climbing (to a little over 7000 feet). What was amazing to us were all the wild flowers even at this elevation.

   


 

 

 

 

Before we descended I had to make my mark with some balancing rocks. Notice the woman pointing towards the bottom of the mountain. It was quite by accident. Rather than doing the whole Skyline Trail, we took the Golden Gate Trail with its numerous switchbacks as it dropped into the valley. Here the wild flowers were even more profuse.



 

   

Then we came across another chipmunk and a marmot. This big fellow was more interested in smelling and eating the crimson Indian Paintbrush and almost ignored Sharon standing on the trail. We saw several more sitting on high rocks or munching on flowers.

 

 

 


It had been a good, strenuous hike for us. My knees told me we needed rest and a nice meal with some wine at the lodge that evening. When we left early the next morning to drive down to Grants Pass, Oregon, the sun was up bright and beautiful. The mountain climbers we saw on the trail would have a good day on Mount Rainier.




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