Last weekend a group of us took a trip to Mt Rainier, an area that we regularly forsake for closer and less touristy destinations. That is a shame, because it's awesome! It took about 3 hrs 10 mins to drive to the White River Ranger Station on the SE side and secure our overnight permits to Summerland. Reservations highly recommended, required even. No walk-up permits were available at 7am, even in shoulder season, and there was a line.
The weather was lovely to start the morning. On the drive in, fog was drifting around the valley and over the water near Mossyrock Reservoir. We drove through many bucolic scenes, and crossed paths with and elk, though with a destination in mind, photos were not secured. Once we had watched a 15 minute video at the RS (for what purpose I cannot say), we drove to the overflowing Frying Pan creek TH. It was about 10:30am and cars were lined up and down both sides of the road for about 1/4 mile.
Starting off:
The trail to Summerland is actually a section of the Wonderland trail. It begins in a lovely old forest, and is (relatively) flat for the first couple of miles. In fact, this section, I'm told, is about the most level section on the entire 90 mile Wonderland Trail. That's good to know!
You eventually come to a small overlook of the trail's namesake creek, Frying Pan:
It was flowing pretty good for such a dry year, I'm sure that has to do with the glacier that supplies it, still intact up top...for now.
Fall colors along the way:
We were slowly climbing the whole time, though the actually climbing was coming up, soon after leaving the lowland forest and entering the subalpine zone. Here is the unofficial demarcation line, a crossing of Frying Pan creek on a sturdy log bridge with a slight slant(!) to it. The huckleberry bushes and vine maples were just spectacular, and the first views of Rainier since the drive in were coming.
Zoomed in on the flank of Mt Rainier, you can make out it's initial "R":
Though some say it's a "P". Retired Jerry, what do you think?
Think Hood's "47". Switchbacks ensue, and after some grunting and puffing, and the first REAL climbing on the trail, you will see the first signs of Summerland.
Wait, not those signs, these ones:
Summerland shelter:
Summerland residents:
Summerland visitors:
People were obviously everywhere. In fact, it's been awhile since I've seen so many people on the trail. Seemingly group after group were out on this spectacular, sunny fall weekend, and who could blame them?
Just past the shelter, the trail continues on around the mountain, up towards Panhandle Gap, the highest point on the Wonderland Trail at 6750'. The way up is splendid. No words!:
Looking back:
Shortly, another crossing of Frying Pan creek, this one near the glacier:
Not too much left of it, though:
The eye of Sauron:
Adventuring higher, to the Gap:
You have arrived:
You can see the Wonderland Trail disappearing off to the right, heading down into the valley at Indian Bar.
Ohanapecosh Park in the distance:
Mt Adams to the South East:
The evening was pleasant enough, and then as night took hold, the winds begun. A front was scheduled to move in on Monday, so we anticipated good weather until then. The mountain had other plans, as it often does, and the dust and wind continued blowing unabated until around 3am. Skies were clear though, and great stargazing as there was no moon. Probably 10-15 mph sustained and a couple of 25-30 mph gusts kept the tents flapping for hours. The sudden stillness in the middle of the night was almost as jarring. As I awoke around sunrise, I poked my head out and saw gray all around. The wind had blown the fog from the valley up the flanks of the mountain and now, we were in the cloud bank.
Matt scrambled up high after sunrise to snap a photo of the fog rolling over a ridge:
Being down in clouds, we took a leisurely morning and hoped the fog would dissipate. It did, and we explored more of the area near Panhandle Gap and Summerland:
Water does bro-ga:
Summerland is gorgeous, you guys:
Could...not...stop...taking...pictures....
I love fall backpacking!
Close to 14 miles, 3000' eg
