Kristina was able to take Thursday and Friday off, and she wanted to go on the Mount Rainier trip, so today was the day! We got up and had some breakfast, and then got out the door as soon as possible so we could get up there before the bulk of the crowds.
However, on the drive out of town (we only made it into Redmond a little ways) Tina started feeling ill. We didn't know if it was breakfast or the motion of the car or what, but she did not feel well at all. So, we stopped at a Rite Aid to get her some medicine for her belly. We won't go into the details, but she felt much better after her visit to the store! So, we were still on for making it to the mountain!
It's about a three hour drive to Mount Rainier National Park, at least the south entrance where we were headed. We wanted to head up to Paradise on the south side of the mountain because it is at abotu 5000ft elevation which gives you a good jump on hiking up the mountain. Also, it's called Paradise for a reason!
We arrived at our destination and had some lunch. We had to park down the hill a little ways due to all the cars, so Jeff and Jared hauled the cooler up the hill to a picnic area where everyone else was waiting and holding down a picnic table. We enjoyed the sunny 70 degree weather as we munched on our lunch and looked up at the mountain. After lunch, it was time to hit the trail! All uphill!
Tina took off like a shot, and Kristina managed to keep pace. Here they are taking a short break.
Eventually we all got together and stopped for a rest just before we crowned the first little hill.
A little further, we crossed a little creek and the trail meandered through the meadows of wildflowers on up towards the mountain.
The view of the wildflowers was truly amazing, and also wonderfully fragrant!
Here's a look back behind us... you can't see them in this shot, but Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens are back that way.
Once we got up to some snow drifts, it was time for Jeff to show Wyatt how to "ski" down the mountain in your hiking shoes...
And, how to crash gracefully...
Here's Tina and Wyatt scaling the mountain. This shot makes them look like they aren't far from the summit!
But, in fact, we are a looong ways from the summit! Here you can see the Nisqually Glacier. Most of it is covered in rocks, so it looks like snow in the rocks, when in fact it is rocks in the snow!
With all the great views, it was time to head back down. No summiting the mountain this day! Kristina and the kids bolted down the mountain, and I can around the corner to find them sitting and waiting.
We ran into this little friend on the way back down. He's a Hoary Marmot, and was very friendly. That shadow on the ground is Tina's!
Lots of little streams running through the meadows... and, man, was that water cold!
It was a perfect day! We always love visiting the Mountain!
