Karen and I surveyed the damage to the Carbon River Road a few months ago, so today, inspired by Mike Gauthier's recent flood damage presentation at the Mountaineers, we returned with a few friends to hike the Westside Road.
The Pineapple Express didn't come anywhere near us, but we had a steady sprinkle and gray, overcast skies all day. The park entrance is closed just before the pay station -- there's ample parking along side the road. Check the park website for current access. For the time being, they are allowing hikers and bikers to hike to Sunshine Point and the Westside Road on Sundays only. There's a gate near Tahoma Creek bridge with signs posted saying no access. This is a road walk the whole way, with no Rainier views. But you can witness first-hand the devastation caused by the Election Day floods -- especially at Sunshine Point Campground.
We made it up about 3 miles on the Westside Road to a point near the Tahoma Creek washout. There we met some bikers who were on their way down and confirmed that snowshoes were needed to go any further. Having none, we had lunch and headed back down.
We met a youngster (70? 80?) named Bronka who lives near the park and was out for her 7-mile daily walk, made more difficult because of restricted access to the trails. She's already making plans for Camp Muir this summer. I'm convinced she could have hiked any one of us into the ground!
A nice afternoon meal at the Copper Creek Inn topped off the day -- the chocolate shake and the blackberry pie (a la mode, of course!) are must-haves!
Good pics from Karen & Steve. It's always interesting to me that scenery I drive past in a car without noticing is more alluring when I'm walking past it. Maybe we didn't evolve to drive cars, we evolved to use our feet. Revolutionary idea in these times of global warning. Think you can convince your neighbors of that?
Bug
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate NWHikers.net earns from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).
we evolved to use our feet. Revolutionary idea in these times of global warning. Think you can convince your neighbors of that? 
Bug