Naches Peak Loop Trail - 7/29/17

Today we visited an old friend, the Naches Peak Loop Trail. This time, we also took the branch trail down to Dewey Lake. This made the hike a total of 6+ miles, a tough trek for a hot day. We were surprised by the amount of flying nuisance insects that were pestering us, even with bug spray on us all. The trail was great, no snow to navigate, and was busy with other hikers. The views were awesome as always, a highly recommended hike for all.

Spray Falls and Spray Park Hike - Mount Rainier - 7/18/17

Today we returned to the Spray Park trail located at Mowich Lake with special guest, Grandma! The weather was a beautiful, warm day on the mountain, so the shade from the trees along the hike was nice. We reached the falls quickly and ate lunch. We decided to hike the final 0.8 miles up to Spray Park, the large meadow areas above the falls filled with wildflowers and views of Rainier. Don't let the 0.8 miles fool you, this is every step up hill along a rocky and root-filled trail, switch-backs all the way. We muscled on and made it to the top to a reward of fields full of wildflowers and amazing views all around. Our hike back down to Mowich Lake was nice, considering it is mostly downhill on the return. In total, we hiked 6 miles and achieved a 1700 foot elevation gain. After the hike, we soaked our worn feet in the very cold water of Mowich Lake.

Trail sign at the Falls.

At the Trail-head, a great day for hiking.

Through the woods.

Spray Falls

Climbing up one of many roots sections of the trail.

Switchback anyone?

A meadow section at the top makes the tough climb worth it, for sure.

Mount Rainier from the north-west side.

Meadows full of wild flowers.

More wild flowers.

Our turn around point, amazing work kids.

Rainier

Another Spray Park meadow.

Levi climbing down a rocky section of the switchbacks.

Spray Park Falls Hike - Mount Rainier Carbon River Area - 7/17/17

Today we ventured up to Mowich Lake area via a long and winding dirt road at the Carbon River entrance of the Mount Rainier National Park. This more secluded part of the park was a great place for die-hard hikers to get out and hit the trails. Claire and Levi were for sure the only children on the trails, and they rocked it the whole way. The hike was about 2.1 miles up through dense forest to the Spray Falls. About 5 log bridges aided our crossing of flowing streams, including one very close to the falls that required some serious bravery, good job kids! The falls are amazing, a 354 foot drop of glacier water, it was beautiful. This hike is challenging, and only recommended for kids with hiking experience. We will return, and try to climb up out of the falls valley to the Spray Park, where wildflowers and Rainier views await. 

Spray Park Trail - Mount Rainier

Crossing a log bridge along the way.

Great job Levi!

Eagle Ridge lookout point, one of the few Rainier Views on this hike.

Yep.

Great trail maintenance, very well done.

Spray Falls

Spray Falls

Lunch Break.

Wearing his hat "cowboy" style.

Mowich Lake, just beautiful.

Claire, at the Falls.

Log bridge.

Happy hikers, at Mowich Lake. Ready for ice cream treat!

Sourdough Ridge towards Dege Peak - Mount Rainier - 7/14/17

It's Friday afternoon and we are seeking adventure near Sunrise in the Mount Rainier National Park. Today we chose to hike in the North East direction from Sunrise to the Sourdough Ridge. This takes us up towards Dege Peak, although we did not go that far today. We had a beautiful 360-degree view over the Huckleberry Basin one way and Rainier the other. The sun was hot and bright, and we limited ourselves to about 1.6 miles of hiking along the ridge. This trail offers incredible views and the snow here is mostly melted away now. We were on the watch for wild mountain goats, but we will need to hike all the way to Dege Peak to see them. Next time! 

View from below, up to the rock face at the ridge.

The look back towards Rainier.

Oh yeah!

This rock face is huge.

Huckleberry Basin

Rock face.

Log bench at the top, lookin' good in your hats!

Along the Sourdough Ridge, back towards Sunrise.

It looks so close.

Flowers.

Palisades Trail to Clover Lake - Mount Rainier - 7/7/17

Today Jessica and I ventured out to Clover Lake via the Palisades Trail. This trail-head is located at the Sunrise Overlook area about a mile from the Sunrise Visitors Center. This hike was a 1300 foot elevation loss and gain over the 1.5 mile span to Clover Lake. Many snow fields dotted the scene but they did not stop us from reaching the picturesque lake. The temperature was perfect, there were a few other hiking families on the trail with us and this was a great hike. The Palisades Trail does continue past Clover Lake, and when there is less snow to slow us down, we plan to hike the whole 7 mile round trip. Highly recommended for experienced youth hikers, with a great lake to enjoy just a little over an hour away. We will be returning here.

At the trail-head.

From the trail-head, the only time Rainier is visible on this hike.

The highest elevation of this hike is at the start.

Looking down at the valley we will be hiking through.

Sunrise Lake

Crossing a log bridge along the way.

Alpine meadows.

Hiking across the snow pack.

Snow pack at the lake. (Clover Lake)

The peaks surrounding Clover Lake basin.

Balance across the bridge.

Super-hiker.

Claire on the look out.

Clover Lake