[williswall]

October has been a sweet month in the park, with forays into the west side of Rainier that had me witnessing the pinnacle fall colors to an almost winter transition. This last trip, a full loop, started with a short bike ride from the Kautz Creek trail head to the parking spot on the West Side Road (6 miles), then walking the road to Round Pass at 4,000'. From there I hiked the Round Pass Trail to the intersection with the South Puyallup Trail, then the Wonderland up to Emerald Ridge. Much of this day was spent in snow, but it was just a few inches at most and didn't present any difficulties. The entire day was devoid of other people, completely solitary. After spending some time doing various shots with my 4 cameras and a phone, I continued on the Wonderland to the Tahoma Creek suspension bridge, then climbed up to Indian Henry's. Most of that climb was on the northern aspect of the terrain so cold snow in shadow, including a creek that was frozen over with water still flowing under the ice. Upon reaching Indian Henry's there was some low angled sun, and when I reached the intersection with the Kautz Creek trail I was happy to see some largish dude (or woman) had made the trek to Indian Henry's over the weekend and broken trail. I say largish as the boot prints were enormous, like a size 14 or more. Thanks for packing it down, whoever it was! Now I was on the southern aspect so had nice patches of sun on the sometimes steep descent on this trail down to the Kautz Creek trail head where my van awaited. It took me 9 and a half hours to complete the circuit with plenty of time to drive the West Side Road to retrieve my stashed bike, then head back to Longmire for dinner. A crisp and delightful day! Stats: 25 miles/5400' elev.

WSr Leaves

Watch your step

The transition

The classic cabin shot

Tahoma Glacier terminus

So. Puyallup low flow

Old girl

No reflection today

Nature is Amazing!

Mt. Adams and rolling hills

Mt Wow

Low angled sun at Kautz Creek

Glacier Island

Footprints

Emerald Ridge

Emerald Ridge 2

Creek below Indian Henrys

Column end bits

Climb to Emerald Ridge

'Schroom colony

[Now I Fly]

Great report! That sounds like just the perfect day! I've been through Indian Henry's once, via the Westside Rd. Is the trail up from Kautz Creek any quicker? Might be fun to give Pyramid Peak a go. Or, Maybe Copper, or Iron.

[williswall]