Golden Gate Trail Hike at Mount Rainier

Friday, August 9th, Al and I couldn't resist going right back up to Mt Rainier. This time the route was slightly different - the Golden Gate Trail, which includes part of the Skyline Trail.

The wild flowers were more at their summer peak this day than they were just four days earlier.

See all 31 photos on my Flickr gallery.

The photos this day were taken with a new camera phone and not all came out as well as I would have liked. Perhaps operator error?

Skyline Trail Hike at Mount Rainier

Monday, August 5th, Al, Stan, new friend Steve and I went hiking on the Skyline Trail above Paradise at Mount Rainier. It was a spectacular day, perfect weather, not too hot or cold, and it is the peak of the wildflower season there. The Paradise parking area is 5000 feet elevation and I suppose we walked up another 1500 feet or so.

Some of the rock formations are fascinating and it is obvious that Mount Rainier has had volcanic eruptions in the past.

And, of course there are photos of the wildflowers! Here is Heather in full, bright bloom.

See all 55 photos from this day in my Flickr gallery.

Another Beautiful Day In Paradise!

My hiking buddy Al Lind managed to get a day off work to extend his Labor Day weekend so Tuesday we went back to one of our favorite places - Paradise at Mount Rainier. We wanted to see the newly built visitors center which is replacing the Henry M. Jackson VC. Also, over 2 million dollars worth of renovations have been done to the historic Paridise Lodge. Its massive roof has been replaced and all the seams are sporting bright new copper flashing. I have included several photos of the exterior and interior.

Besides that, the wild flowers were still quite good. They usually are wilted by this time of year. I think the late spring and the slow snow melt has preserved them this year. The Indian Paintbrush flowers were in greater abundance than they were just ten days ago.

This trip was more a tourist excursion for us. We usually put on backpacks and walk several miles on our trips but for the last two weeks I have suffered with they tell me is a bone spur in my right foot. It sure slows me down! Here are the photos on Picasaweb.