Mt Rainier

[milani74]

I recently moved to the PNW and got a chance to get out last weekend. Me and my family did a short hike up the southwest side of Mt Rainier and hit Comet Falls.
I am looking forward to learning the flora; this is such a rich eco-area.
Here's a look from the bottom.

Here is a Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). Its the first time I got to see one up close. He had lunch with us.

When we hit the snow line, my son decided to throw a snow ball at me. Revenge is sweet!

Here is the lower falls.

More to come..

 

[milani74]

Upper falls.

The water is ice cold!

This is a spot we'll be coming back too.:thumbup:

 

[hstdist]

your children are going to have fond memories of the wilderness and likely carry on the tradition for your grandchildren:thumbup:

 

[lambertiana]

Great area for hiking.

Those Steller's Jays are nice looking birds, but they get obnoxious really fast.

 

[PayetteRucker]

Awesome

 

[ROCK6]

Great pictures and glad you got you boys out there! Also glad you made it safely to WA...say "hi" to your XO for me,

ROCK6

 

[milani74]

Thanks guys. We had a blast.

Great pictures and glad you got you boys out there! Also glad you made it safely to WA...say "hi" to your XO for me,

ROCK6

Wilco Rock. Hope all is well with you and yours!

 

[aone1971]

great time you have . Enjoy !

 

[mtnfolk mike]

awesome pics.. Washington and the PNW are amazing...

 

[Albin]

A couple things to do over the next couple of years:

- See if you can go see the ice caves. I saw them one year in the 10 years I lived in Seattle, they only come out every so often, so see them if you can.

- Hike up to Camp Muir, about a 5k foot climb out of Paradise, don't know if you'll need climbing gear for that hike, the rangers will know. Excellent views.

- Hike the Carbon River Glacier area. See if you can get to the glacier mouth and perhaps go inside, similar to the ice caves.

- Go camp out near the Paradise area during winter, build an ice cave or Eskimo dome; the Boy Scouts in the Seattle area do it every year. Keep in mind that it's hard work!

Good luck.

Al

 

[pitdog]

Awesome pics buddy, that's some amazing scenery, thanks for sharing !

 

[jds1]

Mt. Rainier is an amazing place for sure. And those are some nice pics of your kids having a great time.

Jeff

 

[OwenM]

Looks fantastic!
The kids seem to like it, too:thumbup:

 

[Pritch]

Dude! Serious party foul, there!

Everybody knows it is always cloudy, rainy, and miserable up here! All the pretty pictures you see are virtual scenery generated by Bill Gates to keep his cubicle rats mollified!

Nothing to see here. Move along!


















Really! Did I mention how boring this place is? Absolutely nothing to do!























You're still here?!

Seriously milani, welcome! I'm guessing this is a temporary assignment, so enjoy the are while you're here!

 

[mymindisamob]

Awesome! My family and I just spent the last 4 days up @ Ohanapecosh. Thanks for sharing your trip.:thumbup:

 

[jds1]

Too late Pritch, the secret is OUT!

Jeff

 

[BOOMSTICK]

awesome pics man. what trail system is that?

 

[milani74]

A couple things to do over the next couple of years:

- See if you can go see the ice caves. I saw them one year in the 10 years I lived in Seattle, they only come out every so often, so see them if you can.

- Hike up to Camp Muir, about a 5k foot climb out of Paradise, don't know if you'll need climbing gear for that hike, the rangers will know. Excellent views.

- Hike the Carbon River Glacier area. See if you can get to the glacier mouth and perhaps go inside, similar to the ice caves.

- Go camp out near the Paradise area during winter, build an ice cave or Eskimo dome; the Boy Scouts in the Seattle area do it every year. Keep in mind that it's hard work!

Good luck.

Al

Thanks, that sounds like a blast. I have very limited serious winter/snow survival knowledge so that'll be a great learning experience for me. I spent most of my life in warmer spots where you were hard pressed to find enough snow for a snowman.

awesome pics man. what trail system is that?

It was off the main road if you entered the park from the southwest. Comet Falls trail is about 15 miles from the park entrance.