Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

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weathercrazy
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Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by weathercrazy » July 21st, 2017, 3:16 pm

Yes, sorry, one more Mount Rainier hike! I couldn't resist with how beautiful it was!

All pics here:

http://www.naturespixpdx.com/Landscapes ... nier-71817

Opening pic:
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This trail, much like Spray Park, has it's ups and downs (literally). I saw ZERO people on the trail up. 62 on the way down. What I found interesting was that there was 20 men and 42 women. Very much opposite of normal. Yes, I do count other hikers just for my own knowledge!

I left before 6 AM to avoid the crowds. The water was calm and it was cool.

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The trail leaves and follows around the lake with limited views of Rainier.

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It is well graded, and rooty if anything. Took me about 30 minutes to get to Ipsut Pass, where the Wonderland Trail descends down quickly.

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Between Ipsut and Eunice Lake, the trail drops a couple hundred feet, then heads back up steeply to the lake.

Once in the basin, the views were amazing. You could see the bear grass up on the hill easily.

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Eunice Lake was flat calm...

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Early morning dew on the avalanche lilies. They were the predominant flower around the lake, with some lupine and a little indian paintbrush. I'd say the real flower show (besides bear grass) will happen in the next 1-2 weeks.

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I LOVE mountain hemlocks!

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The trail goes up fairly steeply from the lake to the Lookout (about 600' in 0.9 miles).

This took me up to the best display of bear grass I have ever seen. I'll let the pictures do the talking!

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It took me forever to leave because it was so beautiful.

Toward the top, views open up to the west.

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Including Seattle...

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Once at top, the views turned back to Rainier and Eunice Lake.

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Mt. St. Helens...

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To the north...

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Eunice Lake

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Through the Lookout (which was closed and locked)

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LOOK VERY CLOSELY and you can see Baker...

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I stayed at the summit for an hour just soaking in the views and the quiet. There was nobody there for a half hour :)

Back into the bear grass...

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A tiger lily too :)

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Hiking through the forest was awesome, and I even saw a total of 6 deer. One of them got pretty close, until I had to swat away a horse fly which was biting me! The bugs weren't as bad as Spray Park.

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They were in no hurry to move. Either was I :)

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Columbine, highlighted by the sun.

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Returning to the lake, I couldn't help but stop in awe of the color. I was only ten minutes from the TH when I stopped and had lunch. I didn't want to leave!

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JEALOUS!

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The same tree in the afternoon...

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An amazing time at my favorite place!

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retired jerry
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by retired jerry » July 21st, 2017, 4:41 pm

nice

tons of bear grass, I saw just a few on Mt Hood this year

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drm
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by drm » July 21st, 2017, 6:58 pm

Most places known for beargrass don't seem to be having a banner year. Obviously you found an exception!

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weathercrazy
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by weathercrazy » July 21st, 2017, 7:21 pm

drm wrote:Most places known for beargrass don't seem to be having a banner year. Obviously you found an exception!
I heard it was great in Glacier too. But ya, around Mt. Hood, Silver Star, very little beargrass compared to years past!

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retired jerry
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by retired jerry » July 21st, 2017, 7:34 pm

I think they go in a cycle, every 2 years or 3 years or something of heavy bloomng

Must be a different cycle for different locations

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retired jerry
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by retired jerry » July 21st, 2017, 7:38 pm

every 5 to 7 years

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/pla ... n/all.html

"Colonies of common beargrass tend to bloom in 5- to 7-year cycles, possibly
when environmental conditions are right [58]. After fruit set, the
plants that bloom die. However, normal vegetative reproduction of
offshoots has already occurred [42]. The fruit is a small three-lobed
capsule containing several seeds [42]. Seeds are 0.16 inch (4 mm) long
and average about 830,000 per pound (1,830,150/kg) [70,78]. The seed
needs cold stratification for germination [78].

Vegetative reproduction is by offshoots of the rhizome [42]. Common beargrass
is usually considered to be long-lived because of its continual
production of offshoots [56]. Following disturbances, including mud
flows and debris slides, common beargrass sprouts from rhizomes [2]. When
buried in tephra, which forms a new surface horizon, common beargrass rhizomes
do not elongate and grow into the tephra. Instead the plant continues
to grow from the old rhizome for at least the first year [6]."

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sgyoung
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by sgyoung » July 22nd, 2017, 10:05 am

These Rainier reports have been very enjoyable. What a beautiful place. I take it these hikes are on the northern side of the park?

Anyway, thanks for the reminder that there is still so much to explore in MRNP!

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Paul2
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by Paul2 » July 22nd, 2017, 1:45 pm

Beargrass was going very strong at 6000' in north central Idaho last weekend. Funny the varied places it has a good year
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kelkev
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by kelkev » July 22nd, 2017, 2:19 pm

Stunning beargrass displays! Rainier....what an amazing place.
"Going to the mountains is going home."
— John Muir

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weathercrazy
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Re: Tolmie Peak (Mt. Rainier)

Post by weathercrazy » July 22nd, 2017, 3:53 pm

sgyoung wrote:These Rainier reports have been very enjoyable. What a beautiful place. I take it these hikes are on the northern side of the park?

Anyway, thanks for the reminder that there is still so much to explore in MRNP!
Yes, they are located on the NW side of the park! Much more quiet there (relatively).

It still gets very crowded though!

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