Aug 2 - Heading to Paradise (Mt Rainier)

Up at 5am this morning to get up to Paradise before the swarms arrive and I get shut out on parking. And get to a start in cooler temps (heading to 85 today). Oh, the plan is to hike the Skyline Trail (5.5 miles, 1700 of up)

On my way to Paradise, I make quick stop to look up Kautz Creek. It looks cool from the road so I stop, hurdle a wooden fence (it bit back and I have a huge bruise), and the picture sucks (too early in the morning). But I found the trail the overlook :)

I also stop at the Cougar Rock overlook. I head down to the river. Hey Rainier is out today! 

I think about doing the trail but the mission is to get to Paradise so I get back in the car and start driving.

I stop for a doe and fawn who are on the side of my lane. A car goes zooming by the other way but I wait. Eventually, they do cross the road and I can move on.

I then make a quick stop at Christine Falls from the road (missed that yesterday). Well worth the stop!

Then I run into another doe and 2 fawns on the climb to Paradise. They are in the middle of the road and again I wait until they cross. Nice start. :)

I finally get to Paradise around 7am and it's already hopping. Thankfully, plenty of parking still. I gear up and start my hike.

And look at that, I'm looking at Rainier at the very start and all the way up. She's hazy from the smoke but looking good.

I'm in the shade for a lot of the uphill. And there are tons of flowers - Lupine, Rosy Spirea, Paintbrush, Phlox are just a few.

At one point, I detour to the Alta Vista trail to see what the view is from the top of a hill. I see a Marmot just before I start. He's a big one compared to the Yellow-bellied Marmots at I'm used to!

The view looks south and it's hazy but really nice with all the red flowers (Rosy Spirea).

Back on the trail I see more Marmots, 

chipmunks, more flowers and Rainier is getting closer by the step.

And Rainier gets still closer. Hey, there's a waterfall on her slopes.

I thought about taking a 0.2 mile detour on the Glacier Vista trail but it's snow covered in spots - sticking to the main trail.

I eventually get to cross a small snow field as the trail starts to move away from Rainier.

Moving south and the east, I reach Panorama Point (6700ft). It looks south away from Rainier and towards the Paradise Inn.

I thought this would be the high point of the hike but there's still more climbing.

There's a pit toilet at Panorama Point and I pass over it. 

It's about there that I spot my 1st Blue butterfly - Anna's Blue (or Northern Blue for some). Lots of the along the trail this morning.

The trail continues to get more rocky and rugged and finally I reach the high point.

The rocky trail then tracks east away from the Inn below. Rugged country with scattered patches of flowers as I slowly head downhill.

Looks like Elephant's Head Lousework

Spotted Sasifrage

At some point in the downhill, I reach lots flowers again.

Including some blooming Anemone (these were in seed on the upside).

Seeing more Blues, Purplish Frits

and Edith Checkerspots

Oh, and there's more Marmots - saw at least 10 today.

I reach Sluiskin Falls - not sure where the Falls are but I got to rock hop around a 12 foot wide stream.

I bit more downhill and then the trail moves west again tracking towards the Inn. More flowers and more Marmots and a Pika.

Crazy thing is, on the trek I have to go uphill again for 100-200ft - ugh! 

But then it's downhill. I reach civilization as I close in on Myrtle Falls (it's a short paved walk from the Inn).

I meet a Ranger there. I'm sure I looked tired, sweaty and she asked where I came from. She was excited when I said Skyline -- absolutely beautiful trail!

I take a break at the Inn (outside of course) then make it to my car. I'm hungry, need to find a picnic area. I decide to head east down Stevens Canyon. I make a stop a Reflection Lake - yes, I can see Ranier even in the lake! And I find the Avalanche Lilies here too (in much better shape).

I pass a packed trail head to Bench/Snow Lakes, make a stop at Stevens Creek and then stop at Box Canyon for lunch.

Nice shady (no bugs) area. And it has flush toilets.

I can continue east but I'm obsessed with seeing Carter and Madcap Falls. So I head back west to the Cougar Campground area.

When I reach it, I'm tired, it's hot and I must be crazy but I start the trail back down to the river. I'm surprised that there's no one around but I'm very happy.

I cross the river 

and start the 1.1 mi (500 ft) trek thru the woods. Man, is it hot!! And it's the longest 1.1 miles ever!

I'm soaked and ready to give up when I meet 2 ladies coming down the trail. I ask if it's Carter Falls that I hear.

They say yes, and tell me there's a way down to the creek to cool off -- I must look very hot.

I finally reach Carter Falls. It's nice but I have to find the right spot to get a good view thru the trees.

Then another 20-40 yards to Mapcap Falls. A nicer Falls for sure.



I take a break before heading down and then back across the river.

Mission accomplished!

Great day!

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