Forum Index > Trip Reports > Grand Park via back door 07/18/2010
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tigermn
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tigermn
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 11:21 am 
Well Sunday it was marine clouds and fog so I decided to try my luck heading east to finally do Grand Park via the back door. All the pictures. It was foggy/cloudy until I got to about Greenwater then the sun started to come out so it looked to be a great day.
Grand Park North.
Grand Park North.
Grand Park South.
Grand Park South.
It took about an hour and 45 minutes including a quick food stop to drive the 56 miles or so to the trailhead. The last 10 miles on an at times potholed gravel road but entirely doable by a 4 door sedan. Just be patient and don't get in too much of a hurry. I was going maybe 15-20 mph in most places, sometimes less just to not get a surprise pothole. The part after the junction with the Huckleberry Creek trail steepens and has less potholes but is rockier and at times narrower. No cliff hanging though.
Views from forest service road 73.
Views from forest service road 73.
Parking area for backdoor access to Grand Park.
Parking area for backdoor access to Grand Park.
Start of trail to Lake Eleanor/backdoor access to Grand Park.
Start of trail to Lake Eleanor/backdoor access to Grand Park.
After a couple of false starts for forgetting something I was hiking a little after 09:30AM. Temps were very pleasant and the sun was out. You quickly cross the national park boundary and continue up through the woods to Lake Eleanor after about a mile.
National Park boundary on trail to Lake Eleanor.
National Park boundary on trail to Lake Eleanor.
Continuing up trail to Lake Eleanor.
Continuing up trail to Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Then it's back in the woods until you break out into a nice meadow (note not Grand Park).
Meadows before Grand Park.
Meadows before Grand Park.
Meadows before Grand Park.
Meadows before Grand Park.
Rainier zoom from meadows before Grand Park.
Rainier zoom from meadows before Grand Park.
Meadows before Grand Park.
Meadows before Grand Park.
After this brief preview you go back into the woods and do a little climbing. Still a lingering snow patch but nothing challenging.
One of last 2 lingering snow patches on trail to Grand Park.
One of last 2 lingering snow patches on trail to Grand Park.
Shortly after you hit the opening and you are at the north end of Grand Park.
Entering Grand Park.
Entering Grand Park.
Entering Grand Park.
Entering Grand Park.
Grand Park.
Grand Park.
Grand Park.
Grand Park.
I would continue walking across the easy ramblings of Grand Park. The views just get better. Some flowers were out. The paintbrush looked to be on the early side.
Flowers in Grand Park.
Flowers in Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
I would walk on capturing more shots before the junction with the north loop trail.
Views from Grand Park.
Views from Grand Park.
Views from Grand Park.
Views from Grand Park.
Fremont Lookout from Grand Park.
Fremont Lookout from Grand Park.
Little Tahoma from Grand Park.
Little Tahoma from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Grand Park junction.
Grand Park junction.
I would continue on past this junction looking for the high point before descending. The views weren't near as good here as it got more wooded.
Rainier from Grand Park past junction.
Rainier from Grand Park past junction.
Views from Grand Park past junction.
Views from Grand Park past junction.
I would head back to the junction and head left at the recommendation of a guy I met on the trail. He said there was a nice ledge/vista with views of Rainier. This is a recommended side trip. In a little under a half a mile you are treated to these views.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
Views from North Loop trail .4 miles from Grand Park.
I would head back to Grand Park to look for a lunch spot with perhaps a place to sit.
Views from Grand Park.
Views from Grand Park.
Heading to my lunch spot just to the right of those trees in Grand Park.
Heading to my lunch spot just to the right of those trees in Grand Park.
Rainier from my lunch spot in Grand Park.
Rainier from my lunch spot in Grand Park.
Rainier and me from my lunch spot in Grand Park.
Rainier and me from my lunch spot in Grand Park.
While eating and swatting bugs and finding a log to sit on I would take a series of shots of Rainier at about 5 minute intervals give or take.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 1.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 1.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 2.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 2.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 3.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 3.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 4.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 4.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 5.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 5.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 6.
Rainier from lunch spot in Grand Park. Time lapse 6.
The drawback to my spot was it was near some trees (to find a log to sit on) and thus out of the nice breeze which meant the bugs were worse. After eating I would take a few more shots before heading out.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
Views from Grand Park lunch spot.
I would decide to head east cross country in search of the east edge of Grand Park.
Heading east in Grand Park.
Heading east in Grand Park.
Heading east in Grand Park.
Heading east in Grand Park.
Heading east in Grand Park.
Heading east in Grand Park.
Looks like an old bunker at the local muny.
Looks like an old bunker at the local muny.
I would reach the part where it gets more treed and starts to drop off.
More eastern edge of Grand Park views.
More eastern edge of Grand Park views.
More eastern edge of Grand Park views.
More eastern edge of Grand Park views.
More eastern edge of Grand Park views.
More eastern edge of Grand Park views.
There was even some beargrass here.
Beargrass on eastern edge of Rainier.
Beargrass on eastern edge of Rainier.
Views from more eastern edge of Grand Park.
Views from more eastern edge of Grand Park.
Views from more eastern edge of Grand Park.
Views from more eastern edge of Grand Park.
I would then head up north to eventually angle back with the trail visiting another eastern spot.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Views from walking north on more eastern side of Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Rainier from Grand Park.
Grand Park.
Grand Park.
Grand Park.
Grand Park.
Puddle in Grand Park away from the trail.
Puddle in Grand Park away from the trail.
After about a 2 mile cross country side trip I rejoined the trail at the north end of Grand Park.
Back on the Grand Park trail.
Back on the Grand Park trail.
Back on the Grand Park trail.
Back on the Grand Park trail.
Views back in forest after leaving Grand Park.
Views back in forest after leaving Grand Park.
It was a pretty easy romp back from here. Stopping again at the nice meadow before going into the woods for good. There was a muddy spot on the south end of the meadow.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Mud in meadows before Grand Park.
Mud in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
Views in meadows before Grand Park.
It was time to head back into the woods with a quick stop at Lake Eleanor for some afternoon shots.
First views of Lake Eleanor on return.
First views of Lake Eleanor on return.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor.
In short order I was back at the trailhead and packed up to head out and back down the road.
Back to trailhead.
Back to trailhead.
A few pictures from the road on the way out.
Views from forest service road 73.
Views from forest service road 73.
Views from forest service road 73.
Views from forest service road 73.
Views from forest service road 73.
Views from forest service road 73.
All in all a great trip. I think this is my new favorite place. Had it not been for the bugs it would have been even more perfect. Snow is not an issue at all and the two patches on the trail will probably soon be gone and aren't an issue. It almost seems like cheating to hike in this way. Little distance or elevation gain. In fact the road is the least fun part of this trip. It can be slow going at times but is easy enough. Grand Park is definitely on my repeat list. Maybe sooner than later to see more flowers and definitely in the fall before the road closes. This is the kind of place you could just hang out at and I would have longer if not for the bugs which didn't seem to be an issue when you were moving. I did get maybe a handful of bug (mosquito or gnat) bites but it was worth it.

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MysteryMachine
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 12:49 pm 
Looks great! Thanks for the TR. I am going to be staying at Paradise this weekend and based on recent TR I should have Grand Park on my "to do" list. Which entrance/trail would you recommend?

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Grizzy
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Grizzy
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 2:59 pm 
I was in there Saturday, first time I needed Deet in three years...I concur with all your comments.....I jumped in Lake Eleanor on the way out to destinkify lol.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif While I was walking out I asked all the kids I saw what they thought of Heaven (because Grand Park is Heaven)

All the birds have flown up and gone; A lonely cloud floats leisurely by. We never tire of looking at each other - Only the mountain and I. ~Li Po~
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tigermn
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tigermn
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 4:38 pm 
Grizzy: Yea this was the worst I have seen bugs in a while. I applied the Avon sunscreen/bug stuff at the car but don't think I did a great job of it. Once I stopped for lunch I did another liberal application. I didn't seem to get any more bites. I haven't resorted to deet yet but I do have some along. Funny I was thinking as I was walking around in the less traveled areas it did feel like heaven and if I had to keel over from a heart attack or something this would be as good a place as any. MysteryMachine: Well if you go in from the unofficial trailhead off of FR 73 it is about 3 miles of pretty easy walking until you hit the north end of Grand Park. It is all good but the best views are more towards the middle shortly before the junction with the north loop trail. It's maybe 4 miles or so to that point. If you come from Sunrise (the official route I guess), you will walk more like 8 miles to get to Grand Park. I haven't done this route yet but may soon just to compare. Of course lots of scenery in the journey. Obviously if it's all about the destination Grand Park, the unofficial trail off of Forest Road 73 is the ticket. Now having said all that if you are at Paradise, then Sunrise is a lot closer/easier to access by car. Unfortunately for that Grand Park is on the other side of the mountain.

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Highwalker's Daughter
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Highwalker's Daughter
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 5:14 pm 
great pictures and TR My co-worker was just there also and posted some lovely shots. Looks like yet another trail for the neverending list smile.gif .

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tigermn
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tigermn
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 7:08 pm 
RDEshadow wrote:
Please excuse the minor thread drift but what is the Avon bug stuff you were referring to? We wanna hike to Grand Park next week and might pick up some of the Avon stuff. Do you know the name of it? BTW, great pics. We can't wait to go!
It's called Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Insect Repellent. It is also SPF 30 Sunscreen which is nice so you only have to put on one thing. It has served me well and is not obnoxious to put on. I don't know how well it works except on me. Then again maybe the bugs don't like me as much as some so I don't need the heavy stuff, I don't know.

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Highwalker's Daughter
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Highwalker's Daughter
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 7:11 pm 
The Avon stuff smells a lot better than other repellents also.

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tigermn
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tigermn
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 7:21 pm 
Well if you know someone or you can just get it on avon.com This is the stuff... I think it also comes in pump spray and I notice they have some towelettes. I have only tried the rub on stuff.

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raising3hikers
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raising3hikers
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PostMon Jul 19, 2010 7:54 pm 
Grand Park is such a beautiful area! Thanks for the TR

Eric Eames
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stevefromdodge
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PostTue Jul 20, 2010 8:06 am 
Am I correct in assuming that the trailhead is outside the park limits? I'm thinking of visiting this area and I'll be driving up from Vancouver. Do I need to pay admission to the park and if so what's my best route driving time wise, including a stop at a gate?

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tigermn
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tigermn
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PostTue Jul 20, 2010 10:35 pm 
The trailhead is outside of the park. There is no gate at this access. There is no one/place to pay from here. You drive up Forest Service road 73 for 10 miles off of Highway 410. The park boundary is right after you start hiking up the trail. I don't thing the trail to Lake Eleanor is an official park trail but it may as well be. If you visit Sunrise or Paradise you will pass through a gate and have to pay but for this trail you don't.

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