Last hike of the summer.

[B Finnigan]

We were able to get one last hike in for the summer before school starts. I wanted to explore the far northeast corner of Mt. Rainier National Park and check out the mineral hot springs. The winding twisting road through the park has many great viewpoints to pull over and see.

Nirada Falls.

Reflection lake with Mt Rainier. The trout were jumping all over and the itch to grab the fly pole was intense.

The area we were hiking in was a sub alpine old growth forrest. This doug fir tree's base goes from both sides of the frame but is covered in needles and smaller trees starting to grow.

Ohanapecosh hot springs. There were several small springs around a 200' square area bubbling up sulphur dioxide and 120 deg mineral water. This was a resort in the early 1900's but the National Park System bought it out and restored it back to it's original state.

Silver falls is a series of small water falls that cascade down a small canyon. This one here made the most noise.

Pinnacle peak (6600' elev.) with cloud mist rolling in.

On the way back down from Paradise we saw momma and the youngster grabbing some grub. Right after I snapped the pic another fawn showed up most likely the twin of the one in the picture.

I shot some short video clips.
Hot springs video
Silver falls video

 

[J33psru1e]

..

 

[syrinx]

Great pics luvv the second one down,everytime I see pics like these it inspires me to move cause fl sucks.

 

[pitdog]

Awesome pics bro, thanks !!!!

 

[B Finnigan]

If you guys ae ever visiting WA state be sure to spend at least one day at the park. It's only two hrs from Seattle and 1 1/2 hrs from Tacoma and Olympia.

Alot of the great scenery is viewable from turnouts along the numerous roads around the mountain. Even more is visible by taking some short .1-.5 mi. hikes.

The ultra best scenery requires you to lace up the boots, throw on a day pack and hit the trails. Right now the huckleberries and mountain blueberries are ripe and we made pigs of ourselves eating them.

 

[Peppe]

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

 

[westllen]

Awesome pic's thanks for sharing!:thumbup:

Jules

 

[B Finnigan]

I like these old growth doug fir slices they have in a couple spots around the park. This one started growing in 1390 and each plastic label denotes a geologic or historical event.

My daughter is 4' 4" for perspective.

The darker area in that slice shows the little ice age from 1350 out to the early 1600's. The rings are very tight showing diminished growth. You can also see the effects of large volcanic eruptions had on it's growth for several years after.

 

[lotoblades]

Awsome pics,,,and that was a TREE!

 

[B Finnigan]

Here is it's big brother.

 

[JurT]

Those are great pics! I'm sure you all had a great time.

 

[vic2367]

beautiful pics,,,

 

[stingray4540]

The trout were jumping all over and the itch to grab the fly pole was intense.

And you didn't!

Here is it's big brother.

Isn't General Sherman a Redwood? A sequoia to be exact?

 

[B Finnigan]

Yes it's a California redwood so I guess that is it's half brother.

I did not bring my flypole since we were on a hike. But the park is only 30 miles from my house so I will be back with pole in hand.

 

[stingray4540]

Well be sure to take pics when you go fishing and share it with us.

 

[B Finnigan]

The ones I saw jumping were only 4-5" but they are still fun to go after. Those high mountain lakes around here only have rainbow trout an no spiny rays to compete with. Inside the park no fishing license is needed so if you are up visiting don't bother buying an out of state license($$$).