[Tom]

Dayhike Mike and I decided to take a quick hike on Saturday up to Pinnacle Peak by Mount Rainier. Parked at the Narada Falls trailhead and hiked the icy trail up to the snow-covered road to Reflection Lake. Nice views down to the falls from the road. Upon reaching Reflection Lake, we noted someone camped 10' out on the lake. We didn't bring snowshoes but were wishing we had as we postholed our way up the ridge to Pinnacle Peak. Noted some tracks headed up to the gap between The Castle and Pinnacle Peak and decided to take advantage of them. Just below the gap we decided to call it a day given we had a full day planned for Sunday, content to take in the views and watch the lenticulars form on Rainier. A few pictures...

Narada falls from Road

Reflection Lake and Mt Rainier

Mike Heading up the Ridge

Looking up to The Castle

Looking up to Pinnacle Peak

Eating Lunch Looking Northeast

Wavy Clouds forming to the Northwest

Mount Rainier and Reflection Lake

Little Tahoma

Reflection Lake

Lenticular on Rainier

The Castle and Pinnacle Peak

[kleet]

With the weather down here I thought it would be clearer at Rainier. Still, nice shots!

[Edd]

Great pics Tom, I especially like the one of the sun reflecting off the snow. Hope that ice is still pretty thick on the lake. Looks like you quys, and gals had a great weekend.

[Cascade Dave]

...I especially like the "Looking up to Pinnacle Peak" shot. The lenticular photo is cool, too. Tom, question on the "Castle and Pinnacle Peak" angle with the trees in the foreground... ...this is obviously on the north side, but the pic looks like it was taken from east of Reflection. I'm just not used to seeing Castle superimposed over Pinnacle like it does in the photo - it almost looks like the photo was taken above Louise Lake. I suppose you're going to tell me it was taken from the road?

[Dayhike Mike]

<grin> Caught. We were driving home and the lighting was nice as we neared Frog Heaven, so I pulled off the to the side and Tom got the shot.

[tofu on toast hiker]

Looking up to Pinnacle Peak is my favorite as well. V. nice.

[Cascade Dave]

...Frog Heaven, now there's a reference around Rainier I don't hear very often - so the photo is taken around Narada. (I think my last post mentioned east of Reflection, when I was thinking west. - details, details...) In any event, I've spent a lot of time in the Tatoosh trying to capture it from all angles, including some panoramas from Muir. However, when I saw that shot from FH, I was kind of flustered. I have some *really* similar shots from Denman (is that really a peak!?) and Lane but they don't include the Castle. Now I'm wondering why I never thought to just get out of the car and take pictures once in awhile... ...arg, the pain of the obvious. Anyway, enjoyed the photos. I think I'll head on up there this Saturday...

[newdawnfades]

I am really starting to get jealous of you guys and all your great hikes. I need to get out there.