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| Tipsoo Lake - Rainier partially reflected |
We decided to drive up the east side road of Mt. Rainier yesterday when we found out that Sunrise Visitors Center had opened up that morning. But first we stopped again at Tipsoo Lake at the Chinook Pass area where the previous day it was socked in with rain and mist. Wanted to see what we missed. Wow! Tipsoo Lake had this misty blue color to it, almost phosphorescent - an alpine lake formed from the melt of a glacier. This area was once the most skied area in the Cascades but due to avalanches the skiing has moved to White Pass a little to the east. The temperature was a balmy 65 - with all the deep snow, walking past a large area of snow the temp dropped at least 10 degrees. Strangest thing.
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| Snow! at Sunrise |
Continued traveling north on Route 410 which if continuing past the park entrance to Sunrise, would eventually swing back around to Seattle. The road was switchbacks up the Sunrise Ridge of the park, Dave mentioned that he is a pro now - maneuvering switchbacks from the previous year at Glacier Natl Park on Going-To-The-Sun Road. Only this road isn't as narrow. Vista views abounded! The little bit of clouds prohibited us from seeing Mount Baker to the north and Mount St. Helens to the south. About 4000 feet we began to see snow even though the temperature was in the high 60's. The snow was melting fast! As we got to the Sunrise Visitors Center the snow pack was very deep. Figured in many places at least 10 feet deep. But warm out - 62. Started out with our windbreakers on and quickly took them off - the sun was so strong and warm. Got sunburnt without realizing it.
Sunrise is at 6400 feet elevation and is the highest point in the park that can be reached by car. If you want to hike to Camp Muir at 10,000 feet - must register with the ranger and be proficient in mountain climbing due to being on glaciers and have to be in excellent condition to do this - often times they require a guide to go along with you. We did walk about 1/2 mile of the Wonderland Trail - a 93 mile trail that circumnavigates Mt. Rainier, while at Sunrise. Due to the snow pack at Sunrise and also at Paradise, hiking trails are still covered and therefore limited hiking/walking. We have missed seeing the meadows of wild flowers but are glad we have experienced the 'spring' melt of the winter snows.
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| Wood bridge over White River |
Driving back down from Sunrise we stopped at White River Campground and Picnic area. As we were driving up to Sunrise I remarked to Dave that a river I was seeing looked white - and dah - it is called White River! We walked a little bit of the Wonderland Trail there to where it crosses the White River via a wooden bridge and marveled at the magnitude of the debris and swath of destruction that the river caused. Pretty cool to walk over this river - very sensory, I did put my hand in the water to see how cold and froze off my fingertips - definitely from a glacier. And the water is white from the dirt and debris of the melt of the glacier that forms this White River.
We have experienced two different climates at Mt. Rainier National Park - a rain forest and the alpine. But the most sensory thing for me since we came here is the smell - deep pine scent. If you visit Rainier and want to walk/hike alot - best to come mid July to August. Otherwise you will be limited due to the snow. And - we got to see Mt. Rainier with just the top in clouds! Probably the best we will see for our stay. Last night at sunset - no clouds at all - figures. Was a great day at Mt. Rainier.
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