MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA :: I got up at 3:30 AM this morning to be in MRNP by 6:00 AM. There were no clouds, no fog, and no wind – ideal conditions for a sunrise photo of Mt. Rainier mirrored in Reflection Lakes. Although getting up that early is never fun, today it was worth it. For a few hours, I felt like the only person in the entire park.
After taking several dozen photos of The Mountain as it gradually transitioned from moonlight to sunlight, my destination was Camp Muir. I’d like to summit Rainier next year, so I thought today would be as good as any to get a taste of the climb. I also thought it would be a great location to see Mt. St. Helens, in case it decided to erupt again.
The 4.5 mile trail starts at the Paradise Visitor Center. Follow the paved path of the Skyline Trail to Pebble Creek. From there, it’s a steep march up the Muir Snowfield. The snow was perfect to walk on this morning – solid as a rock, with just enough crunch to let the lugs of my boots grip. As the sun rose higher, the snowfield turned blindingly white. I’d say a good pair of sunglasses are essential for this hike.
I looked back occasionally over my shoulder to see Adams, Jefferson, and St. Helens on the southern horizon. The volcano let out a little puff of steam as I looked back once. It wasn’t much, but it was still impressive to see the crater rim I stood on just a few weeks ago obscured by volcanic activity.
The vast, featureless snowfield and the enormous mountain right behind it plays tricks with your mind’s sense of scale. After trudging up the slope for three hours, you’ll see the structures at the camp and swear they’re only ten more minutes away, at the most. In reality, it’ll be another thirty minutes before you reach them.
I had never hiked to such a high elevation (10,188′) before. Curiously, I didn’t feel any different. The sky was a deeper shade of blue, and it was unbelievably silent. But physically, I was fine.
Surprisingly, no one was attempting to summit Rainier today, despite the perfect weather. But as I slid back down the snowfield, I saw several climbing groups making their way to the camp. It only took a couple hours to get to my car, and I was back home by 5:00 PM for dinner and a movie with Kristie.
After taking several dozen photos of The Mountain as it gradually transitioned from moonlight to sunlight, my destination was Camp Muir. I’d like to summit Rainier next year, so I thought today would be as good as any to get a taste of the climb. I also thought it would be a great location to see Mt. St. Helens, in case it decided to erupt again.
The 4.5 mile trail starts at the Paradise Visitor Center. Follow the paved path of the Skyline Trail to Pebble Creek. From there, it’s a steep march up the Muir Snowfield. The snow was perfect to walk on this morning – solid as a rock, with just enough crunch to let the lugs of my boots grip. As the sun rose higher, the snowfield turned blindingly white. I’d say a good pair of sunglasses are essential for this hike.
I looked back occasionally over my shoulder to see Adams, Jefferson, and St. Helens on the southern horizon. The volcano let out a little puff of steam as I looked back once. It wasn’t much, but it was still impressive to see the crater rim I stood on just a few weeks ago obscured by volcanic activity.
The vast, featureless snowfield and the enormous mountain right behind it plays tricks with your mind’s sense of scale. After trudging up the slope for three hours, you’ll see the structures at the camp and swear they’re only ten more minutes away, at the most. In reality, it’ll be another thirty minutes before you reach them.
I had never hiked to such a high elevation (10,188′) before. Curiously, I didn’t feel any different. The sky was a deeper shade of blue, and it was unbelievably silent. But physically, I was fine.
Surprisingly, no one was attempting to summit Rainier today, despite the perfect weather. But as I slid back down the snowfield, I saw several climbing groups making their way to the camp. It only took a couple hours to get to my car, and I was back home by 5:00 PM for dinner and a movie with Kristie.
