6 of us arrived Mt Rainier National Park early Saturday morning. It was a cloudy day to begin with, but sunny times followed. We planned to go for the
Skyline Trail at the Paradise Area. A very comfortable climb to the foot of Rainier at 7000' feet, and we looped back to the starting point.
For my first time in 5 years, I forgot to bring my camera on a hiking trip. I had no choice but to take picture using my cell phone. They turned out
not bad at all.
Skyline Trail brought us to meadows land, and gradually climbing towards the glacier base. By the time we got to 7000', high clouds came in and totally
blocked the view of Rainier. We eventually looped back to Panorama Point, where we supposedly would see the Mt Hood, Mt St Helens and Mt Adams.
As we headed downhill, it cleared up in the sky, and we could glimpsed Mt Adams from far behind the ridgeline. We completed the loop and visited the
Paradise Inn at the end. Then we headed to Copper Creek Lodge where it is famous for its blackberry pie. Well, I can't say the food at the Copper Creek
Lodge was spectular, but I was disappointed about the Hot Cider that I ordered .. why ? See the last picture of this page.
It's freezing before the sun came out at 4600' feet elevation. (Photo from Dirk's camera).
Met the skiiers at the parking, they were heading up to Camp Muir.
Good Start ... in the morning ...
This marmot has no fear, he was charging at people ...
Mr. Rainier is waking up ...early morning (Photo from Dirk's Camera).
Yes ... buddy (my signature photo).
Self picture using cell phone turned out very nice.
Gotta put Rainier in the picture.
Myrtle Falls area.
Above Myrtle Falls on Skyline Trail (Photo from Dirk's camera)
Fighting over the sunshine or defeninding Shaquille
Our Rainier crew ... this time ... (Photo from Dirk's camera) T, D, M, D, K and P.
Rainier on a clear seems ....what ?.
I was still thinking what was so good about Rainer on a clear day.
We were coming .... just wait. (Photo from Dirk's camera)
Thank you for the nice weather ... (Photo from Dirk's camera)
Not bad a picture, not from a cell phone camera.
The road to paradise ......
... and I'm on it..
Dont forgot the little lives in the Paradise alpin,e
Nisqually Glacier (Photo from Dirk's camera).
We were almost at the highest elevation of the trail
Nothing but rocks, .. volcanic rocks .....
We took the "high" way Skyline Trail ... half a mile extra !
7000' feet .. highest on Skyline Trail
Look at Dirk's smile (Photo from Dirk's camera)
Mr. Rainier was a little sky when we got closer to it !!!
Finally at Panorama Point
Climbers learned and practised self-arrest of this slope.
I didnt know we could see Mt Adams, Mt Hood and Mt St Helens from here on a good day !
"Why and how do these granite blocks got here ... ? ".
See Mr. Adams far behind the ridgeline ?
Nice alpine meadowsland ....
... and for only just $50, you can walk on it ...(If they set a fine, why dont they set it much higher, like $50000 fine?)
Last chance to bloom in the alpine before the season changes ... hurry up.
.. "beheld in all my mountain-top" ... finishing touches at the New Paradise Visitor Center.
Paradise Inn, ... under repair ...
Main room inside Paradise Inn, .. what a lodge !
Copper Creek Lodge, famous for its blackberry pie!
But they serve hot cider like this.... a cup of hot water and a packet of apple juice powder?
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