After an eight hour drive from Kalispell we arrived at Mount Rainier Thursday afternoon. We did an introductory sightseeing drive up the base of the mountain to Paradise. Paradise is an apt name -- it definitely was! In the late afternoon light afternoon light it was as though everything was glowing. Avalanche and Glacier lilies were everyone. A silver fox and a pika put in a brief appearance for us.
Friday was a busy day. We drove all the way around the southern boundary of the park, and up the east side to Sunrise. We did a three hour loop hike on Sourdough Ridge to Frozen Lake, then back via the Wonderland Trail. It was , quite probably, the most beautiful hike I have ever done. The sub-alpine wildflowers were in full bloom. The views of the mountain almost up close and personal. We were able to spot a few ants (climbers) making their way up the mountain.
Just for fun we added on two other short hikes -- to Grove of the Patriarchs (huge trees) and the Cowlish trail, where Sarah has previously spotted owls. None were cooperating for us today, but it was still a pretty hike through lush forest. Sarah's expert owl-calling made it seem like the owls were all around us.
Today we are worn out and taking it easy.
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