I first became interested in backpacking a couple of years ago. At that time I’d never been backpacking before, except for one overnight trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in college. My parents love the outdoors and we went car camping all the time when I was a kid in our pop-up tent…
Day 14 – Summerland to White River Camp Trailhead 6.9 Miles 2000 Feet Elevation Loss 400 Feet Elevation Gain The ground crunched beneath my feet this morning as I walked to retrieve my bear bag. White frost covered the grass and alpine shrubs, and lacy tendrils of ice formed intricate patterns on the trail. Today…
Day 13 – Indian Bar to Summerland 4.4 Miles 2000 Feet Elevation Gain 1000 Feet Elevation Loss This morning I was awakened to the sounds of elk bugling. Earnest calls that increased in pitch and then descended again. Frost crunched beneath my feet and my breath hovered in the air in front of me. My…
Day 12 – Nickel Creek to Indian Bar 6.7 Miles 2600 Feet Elevation Gain 1000 Feet Elevation Loss No rain fell overnight, which was a nice change. My tent was still wet from the day before but at least it hadn’t gotten any wetter. I was pleased to leave my umbrella behind when I went…
Day 11 – Paradise River to Nickel Creek Camp 9.8 Miles 1900 Foot Elevation Gain 2250 Foot Elevation Loss Today was another damp day on Mt. Rainier. It rained overnight and puddles soaked through the floor of my tent but I was cozy and dry inside my sleeping bag. I was in high spirits despite…
Day 10 – Lomgmire Inn to Paradise River Camp 3.8 Miles 1100 Feet Elevation Gain 0 Feet Elevation Loss When I woke up this morning, my tent and all my clothes strung up over the bathtub were dry. I had cranked up the heat and left the windows open last night to promote maximum tent…
Day 9 – S. Puyallup River to The Longmire Inn 12 miles 2550 Foot Elevation Gain 3950 Foot Elevation Loss Well it did rain last night, and hard. I stayed dry and toasty in my tent, but everything was a muddy soggy mess this morning when I packed out. I had pitched my tent on…
