Morning Hike At Rainier

“Synchro, Ford and me headed up towards Mt. Rainier very early this morning...we were on the trail around 7 am.
We decided to do a relatively short hike...since WA has been having a real heat wave (it was 97.5* yesterday!), so I picked to do the Naches Peak Loop, at Chinook Pass. We started at the subalpine lakes, Tipsoo, and headed up to the PCT, where it crosses Hwy 410. I love the Park entrance, always have..it is the cutest bridge you walk over, it is how the PCT crosses the hwy. The last time I did this hike, I did it in thick snow. Much more enjoyable this time Basically subalpine meadows and rock gardens. Heard marmots whistling early. Soon enough we said goodbye to the PCT and came back into the Park, and got the money shot views of Rainier. If anything, this trail offers some of the best full on views of Rainier...I can never understand the people who do this hike backwards! They miss Rainier the whole way! Sheesh! lol....
Saw some nice bear scat as we left the meadows and headed down towards the end of the trail.
Just a nice morning out with my 2 men Lots of alpine vistas, I could see Mt. Adams and the Goat Rocks perfectly And all the flowers were in full bloom, and no snow to see....

Photos:
Photos”

“Awsome pics and TR!!! One of these days Ive got to make it to Alaska!!
And if I do I might not come back!!!”

“Beautiful pics sarbar1. I love that area too, but then I love all of Mt. Rainier as I'm sure you do. We are so lucky to live in WA State.”

“Lovely pics. How long was the loop?”

“A weenie 5 miles :-D But just perfect in the hot weather!”

“With views like that, I wouldn't downgrade that at all! Short but sweet!”

“Summer in the Mts is truly my favorite season :-) And Rainier is one of my favorite places to run to...the meadows are what makes it so worthy.”

“I have become such a couch potato that 5 miles is quite long enough for me. I was wondering if there was snow there. I'm glad you did a trip report of sorts.

I wanted to take my hubbies visiting relatives up to Paradise, then to Tipso, but he decided to do Comet Falls with them, but the bridge was out, and I thought it was too steep for the shape I'm in so I didn't go.

So they all took off in shorts and t-shirts to do this low elevation hike, then they go to Paradise and find out that they can easily do Panarama Point in hiking boots even though there was snow on the trail. They did it, but froze their @sses off up there.”

“I have been very shocked over the lack of snow this year-last sunday I was up at Sunrise, and the traditional snow fields on the Wonderland Trail were almost gone. Usually they are really thick till late August. Fuuunnnnn.....I have a feeling my WT trip in 2 1/2 weeks may be very dry.
Now Panaroma Point and the Skyline Loop...I love that one! Doing it last year twice (once in summer and once in late October), I loved doing it in Late October! The first snows had come, and it was a route finding comedy of laughs!”

“those are really great pics. I really enjoyed viewing them. Thanks for sharing.”

“Last sunday morning I went up to Rainier, up to Sunrise. Ford and me did a loop up to Fremont Lookout, and then back out on the Wonderland Trail.
Photos:
Sunrise”

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You missed this upper Tipsoo Lake view?”

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...and the side trip to the top of Naches Peak for this view?”

“That is an EXCELLENT shot! I love upper Tipsoo Lake, the one 99% of the Tourons don't even realize exists! By the time I got done I was ready for a late breakfast, and the Tourons were already clogging the highway, so I decided I'd hit Upper T. next time I am back up at Chinook ;-)”

“I was at Rainier last weekend (7/17) and took some more photos using slide film. The Tipsoo lake shot should be even better this time. Will post them as soon as I finish the roll.”

“sarbar1, I did the Panorama Point hike in the fall. It was really breathtaking because of the hike downhill, because of the fall colors against the evergreen trees. I think I did it at the end of September on my first visit to the PNW.”

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Morning sunrise on the Emmons Glacier.”

“very beautiful... dramatic.”