Friday, September 12, 2014

Mt. Rainier - Senior backpacker at the wheel (2)

 The national park of Mt. Rainier is located in Washington State at a distance of about 200 km north from Portland, Oregon. I departed Northwest Portland Guesthouse, Hostelling International, at 8:00 and after filling up at a service station, took ramp left for I-5 toward Seattle, heading for Paradise Inn, where I made a reservation for two nights stay for hiking.


   


 Mt. Rainier stands 4,392 m, 14,410 ft, above sea level, highest in Washington state with 25 named glaciers across 9 major watersheds and subalpine wildflower meadows ringing this icy volcanoParadise Inn is located at the height of 1642 m, the highest mountain lodge of this area with its name derived from its frontier James Longmire’s daughter-in-law’s remark at her first sight, “Oh what a  Paradise". 


 
                                                        
 From the lodge, there are several hiking trails. Before climbing I had consulted with a information centers’ young lady about the possible routes, but I changed occasionally the course while hiking so that I covered finally three different trails; Deadhorse Creek Trail, Skyline Trail, and Lakes Trail, all which required me total 9 hours, taking many photos of subalpine wildflowers. I had been almost all alone with so few hikers I met on the way and it looked like I’m only one guy hosted by these beautiful wildflowers, singing to myself the old 1960s hit song of "King of the Road".

<Deadhorse Creek Tr.>
  It was misty with morning drizzling rain when I departed the inn at 8 am. The trail was clearly guided with sign posts at major branch points and subalpine wildflowers like lupine or Lewis’ monkeyflower lined up along the trails. About a half hour after I started to follow the trail, a mother wild deer with her baby suddenly appeared ahead of me. They were grazing grass, trying to ignore me but very cautious when I tried to take photos of them.   


    

 With an hour walking, I reached to Glacier Vista, 6336 ft, a relatively broad open area, from which one could have a closer view of the Nisqually Glacier on a fine day. 


 

 <Pebble Creek>
 Before heading up to Panorama point, I made my way along the path to Pebble Creek which lead to Muir Snowfields. After a half mile ascending I found the sign board which said something like “Dangerous zone from this point to Muir Snowfield. Even experienced climbers could have died.” I advanced 10 minutes further and found the trail merged onto the snowfield, which made me decide to return to Panorama Point.

         
                                                                                        
<Panorama Point to Sluiskin Falls>

Panorama Point
On a clear day, I could have seen from this point Mt. Adams 45 miles to the south, Mt. St. Helens 46 miles to the southwest, and Mt. Hood 96 miles away in Oregon. From this view point I followed the trail further upward to reach the today’s highest point 7000 ft. and then descended gradually to the cross point between the Golden Gate trail and the Skyline trail. I changed again my original plan and took the Skyline to Sluiskin Falls. 


    
                                                                         
As gradually the weather became sunny, the subalpine wildflowers meadows appeared before me. How happy I am!


   
                                        
 < Lakes Trail to Reflection Lake >
 Following the skyline trail about half mile, I met a senior couple and following their advise, I  turned left to make my way along the Lakes trail, giving up the idea of returning to the inn along the skyline trail having a late lunch. I saw many small lakes, flowers, and forests on an up-and-down walk.

 
    
             
On a clear day I could expect to see Mt. Rainier’s image reflected in the surface of Reflection Lake, but it became darker and started to rain fiercely as I approached the lake, so I had no privilege to see the great image of this holy mountain. 

        
                                                      



(to be continued; next to Oregon Coast)

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