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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
Last wk. my friend BPLlama contacted me about going hiking on Sunday, so I hatched a plan for us to hit up Grand Park in Mt. Rainier Natl. Park. I had been there in July '08 but only got a view of fog so was ready to give it another go, this time on a sunny day! Also, I wanted to check out what it was like coming from the Lk. Eleanor side.
The cast of characters incl. BPLlama, 2 of her friends/co-workers, raz2sea, MM, & yours truly of course. They all met MM & I @ our house & then the 6 of us split into the 2 cars available with higher clearance. We drove out to Enumclaw to hwy. 410 & took that to FR 73. FR 73 has lots of potholes in the beginning but seemed to get better the further up we got. We parked @ a big switchback a few mi. in where there is a TH for Lk. Eleanor.
Akiko, bpllama, Andreia, MM, raz2sea All smiles
The trail to the lk. is a gentle climb through woods, hitting the forest boundary shortly after the trailhead. Sun filtered in through the trees & it was a very peaceful walk. In short order we reached Lk. Eleanor & took a quick break for pics.
Woodsy trail Lk. Eleanor with Scarface behind raz2sea checks out the bear pole @ the lk. Chillin' @ Lk. Eleanor camp Sunlit. coming thru the trees
From Lk. Eleanor the trail climbs a bit, rounds a ridge, & drops down to a nice green meadow. We caught a glimpse of Rainier & several frogs of varying sizes.
1st opening with a glimpse of Rainier Sm. pond Frog Avalanche lilies Avalanche & glacier lilies
We hit some snow patches but it was all pretty negotiable, esp. since there were lots of footsteps kicked into the snow already. After another little climb we reached the northern edge of GP. WOW - what a sight!! Now I saw what I missed 2 yrs. ago! We walked about halfway across & found a suitable log upon which to have lunch & admire The Mountain.
My pics do no justice as to the true beauty of the place. raz2sea & MM surely got some better shots tho.
Field full of glacier lilies Mt. Rainier looms over Grand Park Heading into Grand Park Zoom of Rainier poking over Rainier, zoomed Rainier as seen from our lunch spot @ GP Lunch spot with a view Rich & his camera Mtns. to the east of Rainier Peaks to our west GP stretches on Rainier over GP Rainier, zoomed MM & raz2sea with their cameras Climbers' path from Camp Sherman
GP was the perfect hike: Short, easy, & a great view...w/hardly any people around to boot. What more could I ask for??
We lazed around in the sunshine for awhile admiring the views. We got the binocs out & spotted a couple climbing parties descending the mtn. on the very well-defined path above Camp Sherman. I'm glad they were doing all that work & not me.
Eventually we decided it was time to go. On the way out, we heard some weird noises....whether it was trees rubbing against each other in the breeze or a "bear cub calling for its mother" was debatable. Either way we didn't linger long.
Leaving GP Tiny pond Trees Trees above
Back in 'claw we reminisced over margaritas & quesadillas @ El Camino before heading back to town. Thanks all for the great company on such a beautiful hike!!
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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raz2sea Daddy RAZ
Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 1060 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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raz2sea
Daddy RAZ
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Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:18 am
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Fran pretty well summed it up but it was great to get out with some fellow NWHikers, as well as meet some new people. The sun was out, the temps were perfect and the breeze kept the mozzies at bay, but not the black flies.
Here's my photographic contributions:
Heading In
NPS Boundary First look at Rainier from meadow near Lake Eleanor Off towards Grand Park we go
Grand Park
Grand Park Flower Show Little Tahoma zoomed in Fremont Lookout Our not-so-unexpected visitor arrives Our Lunch spot Hiker crossing Grand Park Group shot, with bad wind timing
Heading back
Lake Eleanor
Snags
Ok, I really like the look of snags and since were in an old burn area there were lots to look at:
Detail of burned snag A whole clump of snags
A Final Though
I am insignificant next to nature
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:39 am
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Hikingqueen Member
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 2946 | TRs | Pics
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You beat me there, great to know the lillies are out! Looks like a wonderful day!
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marta wildflower maven
Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 1761 | TRs | Pics
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marta
wildflower maven
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Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:53 pm
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Looks like a great hike. Nice to see the meadows are snow free and starting to bloom.
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
Member
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Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:59 pm
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Thanks for the update. This one is on my very near future to do list. Didn't get around to it last year. Didn't want to get up there in the snow.
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BPLlama Member
Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Posts: 69 | TRs | Pics Location: シアトル |
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BPLlama
Member
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Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:26 pm
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
Member
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Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:32 pm
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I think I'll lug the tripod for this one. Based on photos taken it looks like some great photo ops. Of course a bluebird day helps too .
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MountainMan Member
Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 365 | TRs | Pics Location: San Diego |
So glad we had a clear day! The drive started off foggy, but then it cleared up just like the forecast said. It was great hiking with everyone! Here are my pics or you can see them all on Flickr.
On the way in:
Eleanor Creek sign and TH for Lake Eleanor. Lake Eleanor Coming out of the woods at the north end of Grand Park. Frog Getting a pic of the liles. Avalanche and Glacier Lilies. Glacier Lilies in Grand Park with Fremont Lookout and Little Tahoma in the distance. Grand Park trail. Grand Park BC and raz on the trail and BPLlama on right.
Zooms:
Little Tahoma Little Tahoma zoomed Fremont Lookout Zoom of glacier.
Grand Park:
Grand Park With Rich's filter With Rich's filter With out filter
Pano:
Grand Park
Group shots:
Our lunch spot. Group Pic 1 Group Pic 2
On the way out:
Trail through Grand Park. Eleanor Creek raz2sea on the trail. raz2sea and BC at Lake Eleanor camp.
Slow down, take notice, savor the moment, appreciate the world around you and everything that you have.
Slow down, take notice, savor the moment, appreciate the world around you and everything that you have.
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Davidą Token Canadian
Joined: 25 Jul 2002 Posts: 3040 | TRs | Pics Location: The Great White North |
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Davidą
Token Canadian
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Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:56 pm
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How Grand!
Looks like summer there
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furthur Berry Bagger
Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 341 | TRs | Pics Location: onward and upward |
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furthur
Berry Bagger
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Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:03 pm
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Rainier is almost frightening--you're in that peaceful, bucolic setting, and there looms Monster Mountain. Impressive!
"You're either on the bus or off the bus."
Kesey
"You're either on the bus or off the bus."
Kesey
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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
What made it even scarier is that along the way up we heard this really low, deep rumbling noise. Whenever I get that close to Rainier I'm hoping that it doesn't pick that particular day to erupt. But of course there's tons of sensors up there, so we're safe,.....right?
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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Bryan K Shameless Peakbagger
Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 5129 | TRs | Pics Location: Alaska |
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Bryan K
Shameless Peakbagger
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Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:17 am
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