Mt Rainier - Paradise hikes

So I hid out for a couple of days at an Air B&B to catch up on some work.  Nice lady who has spent her life in the theater.  We got along really well, and she joined me for dinner so we could spend more time together when I was not working.  Nice little place out in the county with cows in the pasture across the road. 

I headed in to the park, and was fortunate to find a camping spot at Cougar Rock.  Very busy place for a Monday.   Set up my campsite and then headed to the Paradise area to check out the hikes. 

I got lucky and the clouds were breaking up just as I arrived.  I decided to do some light hiking and enjoy the views while I could.  I selected a side trail that took me out to where a glacier terminated,  and got to see some huge waterfalls.  I was also impressed by the giant valley that had been carved by thousands of year of glacier activity.   The trail wasn't maintained,  so I had the place to myself.  A rarity in a big park like this one.

Just as I headed back to the main area, the clouds came in and within 10 minutes,  the mountain was gone from view.  Crazy how quickly things change up there.  I would not see the mountain again until the next morning, and the clouds really closed in and it got cold and wet very quickly. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Olympic NP - Hoh Rainforest

Image
The second most popular stop in Olympic in the Hoh rainforest.  Not much for trails, only about 2.5 total unless you were leaving for the back country.  Lots of people.  Personally,  I thought Sol Duc was nicer and showed better examples of rainforest life. Ended up being a relaxation day.  Catching up on blogs and reading by the river.  Was so nice to have sun and warm weather after Mora, I slept with the canopy off.  Crazy bright moon that was amazing and lots of stars.  Woke up a little damp, but nothing like Mora. 
Read more

Corpus Christi, TX

Image
It has been an amazing week here with Cindy.  I am thankful that even tho we grew apart for several years we were able to reconnect and keep our friendship going.  She has really spoiled me with wonderful home cooked meals, and even let me take over the kitchen one night for me to make home made coconut shrimp. Yum! My first day here, I went out to Mustang Island park too see if the campground was open. No luck, they are still recovering from hurricane damage that happened last August.  I also went down to the National Seashore on Padre. Got lots of good informatioon on beach camping, but was warned that by next week there would be a lot of people around for spring break. It was a nice day on my own exploring the beach and enjoying a little down time.  Such a difference from Big Bend.   Cindy worked out to have a little extra time off work, so we hit the road.  One day went to the aquarium and explored down there and the next she took me out to an isl...
Read more

Joshua Tree NP

Image
The north part of the park is so amazing with all the rock formations and climbing routes. Took the rangers advice and summited Ryan Mountain.  Great views of the entire area.  Felt like standing in top of the world! Another nice warm night in the desert.  I am sleeping so much better with out the cold making me bundle up.  Cold feet keep me up at night! I am starting to realize that I am feeling a little burned out.   I am not appreciating this park the way I should be.  I think it is time to head home and take a rest.  Will sit down and plan out a route and see what is between here and home.
Read more