Photo Hunt--Theme: High

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The Photo Hunt theme for March 29 is high.

Here are a number of pictures taken at Mt. Rainier National Park which illustrate some of the high places we hike in the summer (well, and some in the fall and some winter.) These are in no particular order, so I may have you bouncing back and forth for references to other pictures.

On the way up the hill to Sunrise we could see Mt. Adams in the distance to the south on July 3, 2007. (We see it from home from a different angle.)

Nov. 2, 2007 High above Highway 123--the Eastside Road. The Eastside Road had reopened just days before after damage from the floods of the previous November. (More about that 2006 storm below.)

Also taken on the November 2 hike. A view of Mt. Rainier from high on Chinook Pass.



From high on the Burroughs Mountain trail we can see Glacier Peak in the far distance to the north. The Mount Fremont Lookout is on the nearer promontory. Taken in late July, 2007.


High above the clouds that were blanketing the White River Valley, late August, 2007.



High along the Burroughs Mountain trails at the end of August, 2007.

No matter where you hike the Mountain Peak is high above you.



Is this a winter photo? NO. Taken on May 6, 2007 from Paradise. May 6 the Park reopened, just six months to the day after the park received 18 inches of rain in 36 hours. Repair to damaged roads and other infrasturcture had to be done before the park could be reopened to the public. Repair to trails and campgrounds continued through the summer and there is yet more to be done. As National Park Volunteers, we were invited to participate in the reopening ceremonies on May 6.



High above the Emmons Glacier on the Rim Trail


Looking down from high on the Sourdough Trail you can see part of the Wonderland Trail. The Wonderland Trail circles Mt. Rainier for a hiking distance of about 90 miles. Most backpackers who do the trail in one visit take nine to eleven days. Most backpackers who do this are quite a bit younger than we are. We hope to do a piece of the trail this coming summer, but we must decide which part we want to do for about a three day trip. Although we are avid campers and hikers, we have not backpacked before, so it will be an adventure. Seeing how much snow remained in early July, I think we will wait till August to do our trek.

Taken looking north from Sourdough ridge July 4, 2007. Glacier Peak is among the mountains in the distance.

Atop Mt. Fremont--near the lookout shown earlier. This was also July 4. In addition to the floods of November, 2006, winds connected to the storms blew the newly refurbished roof off the lookout. Repairs had not been made yet when we visited.