One of the things I love about Mt. Rainier National Park is the pristine, carefully- designed campsites. I also love the Indian names that greet me at every turn. Three hours from Seattle we drove through such towns as Enumclaw and Nachez to the Ohanapecosh campsite (that takes a little doing). It was totally full, but four miles south was La Wis Wis, where we found a spacious, quiet spot with water close by and lots of tall pines, cypress, and privacy. The sky was very blue and the clouds puffy and white. A raging river tumbled over rocks not far from our site, and all around were mountains, with an eastern view of Rainier quite different from my previous visits, when I camped on its western flank
On this second morning we headed for Sunrise, another beautiful visitor’s center from which we started climbing to Mt. Fremont lookout (7200 ft.).
en route Sunrise
Sunrise Lodge
Frozen Lake, the water supply for Sunrise
Rainier in the clouds as we began our hike to the lookout….
Campsites at lakes along the way
On the top of this peak, steamboat prow, is Camp Sherman, from which you start up the summit of Rainier
Not my favorite stretch of trail!
Ditto!
This is where you’d go if you tripped….straight down. It’s much steeper than it looks
Berkeley Park, a camping spot down below
Views galore along the way
On top of Mt. Fremont…at last
Can you imagine surviving a winter up here?
I made it and even climbed the tower. It gives me the creeps, but the view was wonderful. I held tight with my sweaty hands!
360 degrees of incredible views
We heard a crash when passing Frozen Lake on our return. It was a mini-avalanche. Notice the waves on the lake.
On the way home we drove on the Stevens Canyon road past Reflection Lake
Home at last! Our campsite, which could surely use a housekeeper….
Jon did all the chopping
Not bad for a woodland stir fry, eh?
What a way to end a perfect day!
I’m headed for El Paso, Texas, on Sunday for dental work in Juarez, Mexico, but when I get back I’ll finish part 3 and 4.
Jon Pollack
I think the picture of you is just beautiful!
Jon
Trees
What a beautiful and breathtaking views here….you are really an amazing lady to go these paths! love Trees
Kathy
Beautiful photos Meg! I really enjoyed reading this!
Suzanne
Dear Meg,
so glad we met at the theatre today. Relatively Speaking was a pleasant afternoon. keep in touch!
Suzanne