Mount Rainier National Park 2.0!

 

Hello from Mount Rainier! We finally made it into the park. In 2022 we were here but we had just set up camp when we got the call with a level 1 evacuation for a fire. We didn't really know what that meant so we went into town and the Red Cross was already set up and told us to pack up and leave. Before we left it was a level 3 and the campground was filled with smoke. Good news, this year no fires and we were able to enjoy the majesty of Mt. Rainier!

Our campsite, while not in the park was only a 1/4 mile outside the park and had incredible huge trees and the rhododendron were all in bloom.

As typical, our first stop was the visitor's center where Dave marveled at the old trees at Longmire Museum. We took a little hike around Trail of the Shadows where they explain the history of the Longmire Springs Resort. Below is the Lodge, the mineral springs and Dave again next to a very big tree root.

We hiked on part of the Wonderland Trail to Carter and Madcap Falls. It was only about a 3 mile hike but as Dave said it was uphill both ways! The views were magnificent from all directions.  

This was my tribute to Chris who when we were hiking in Tennessee kept saying to Julie that he wanted to walk across the river on a tree. I made it, but it was a really big tree. 😄

Further up the mountain we went on roads which had tighter curves and snow more prevalent. We just happened to see these black tailed deer on one of the curves. Good thing I had my camera ready!

Next stop for the day in Paradise. Maybe Ford would want this great picture of the F-150...and Dave.😎 

A well earned Huckleberry Cider for me and a Gatorade for Dave was enjoyed at the Paradise Lodge. It was the most perfect day. The sun was shinning so brightly it made the 55 degrees even feel warm. Back down the road we went with our last stop of the day at Narada Falls. Check out the rainbow looking down into the falls (second picture). 

The next day we drove all the way over to the east entrance at Stevens Canyon.  A recommendation from the ranger we talked to the first day was to hike to Silver Falls. We can easily see why this was her favorite hike in the park. The trail was lush and green with a few wildflowers along the way.

The falls were just amazing as we got closer and closer. The picture doesn't do it justice, the water was so blue!

This hike was only about a mile and half and 300 feet in elevation change so Dave was much happier at the end of it plus our lunch stop was next. 😁

We choose a lovely spot along the road to pull over and have lunch; can't beat that view! Really the views in the whole park have been fabulous. Another stop along the road and another pretty falls.  We still had some time left in the day and Paradise was calling again. We also stopped by Reflection Lake but it was still frozen.

 

We hiked the Nisqually Vista trail and although it was colder today than yesterday, we still had the beautiful sunshine to warm us. The trails up there are mostly for skiers or people with cleats but our hiking boots worked pretty well, neither of us "took a digger", for which we were thankful! 

It's somewhat of a surreal experience hiking in June in snow. We especially laughed about how we go to Florida to avoid it but came back to the Paradise snow twice!                                     Pappy says it's time to hit the road again and on to the next park. Thanks to Emma for my new pillow with my "hearts" in Tennessee and Michigan. Love ya'll!