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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
Pyramid Pk. on the SW side of Rainier had been on my list for awhile, & after my Mildred Pt. trip this summer where I got a nice close-up view of it, it moved up in priority. I waited for a couple of sunny weekdays & invited MM, TT, & Obi Tony Kenobi.
Pyramid as seen from Mildred Pt.:
Pyramid Pk. Definitely on the list.
We left Wed. morning under cloudy skies & headed for Longmire, where we picked up our o/n permit for the Pyramid Pk. Cross-country Zone. The ranger warned us that the area "gets a lot of bears" so Tony got his hopes up for a sighting. As for me, I'm fine w/NOT seeing any bears.
After a brief stop @ the Longmire Museum, we were off & driving up the Westside Rd. to the closure, where we parked & geared up. Only 3 other cars @ the TH.
TH sign MountainMan, Obi Tony Kenobi, & Trailblazing Todd @ the TH
The 1st mile or so was easy, as it just involved walking up the rd. which actually looked pretty drivable w/high clearance. Water runs over the rd. in a few places but overall not bad.
Tony crossing the bridge Rainier comes into view
We reached the TH for Tahoma Creek @ a big bend in the rd. & turned right into the woods. This trail was unmaintained but easy to follow. There are a few places where it turns steep & rooty while it negotiates eroded areas but o/w is fine.
TH for the Tahoma Creek unmaintained trail Rainier as seen from the Tahoma Crk. valley Beaver dam? Nasty Frog Frog Todd holds up a big rock Falls Falls
After a couple of miles we reached the end of this trail & turned right on the Wonderland Trail, coming across the suspension bridge immediately around the corner.
Seemed pretty good to us Junction Suspension bridge Suspension bridge Rainier as seen from the bridge Tony coming across the bridge
After the bridge the trail switchbacks uphill through the woods, then opens up briefly for views to the north. Then it turns more southerly & re-enters the trees for awhile, crosses a creek a couple times, then busts out into open meadows as it nears the junction w/Mirror Lks.
Nice trail Little falls Creek crossing Fall color on the slopes across the way Fall color Looking back out the way we came Rainier Zoom of Pt. Success Tokaloo Spire? Copper Mtn. & Iron Mtn. Pyramid comes into view again Rainier as seen from just before junction w/Mirror Lks. trail Junction w/the Mirror Lks. trail
We turned left & headed up to Mirror Lks., making a mental note to take the side trip to Indian Henry's Patrol Cabin on the way out. The official trail ended @ the lks., but a bootpath continued on beyond, entering the PPCC Zone. We paused for pictures of Mt. Rainier mirrored in Mirror Lk.
Rainier & Pyramid as seen from near junction Golden meadow Frog Heading toward Mirror Lks. Trees that have seen better days Heading toward Pyramid Rainier reflected in Mirror Lk. Rainier reflected in Mirror Lk. We're on our own now... Tokaloo Spire Upper Tacoma Creek Nice green slope across the way
After a short climb above Mirror Lks., we dropped down into the basin that would be our camp area for the night. We got set up just in time for some pictures of the late afternoon sun setting on the surrounding pks.
Descending into the basin below Pyramid Rainier & Pyramid St. Andrews Rock? Mt. Adams Sunset on Mt. Adams Fall color w/bad lighting Sunset on Rainier & Pyramid Sunset on Rainier
After dinner we enjoyed laying on some rocks & stargazing, witnessing several shooting stars. That night the moon rose & lit up our surroundings pretty well. It was cold, but not nearly as cold as our Goat Rocks trip the wk. prior. No ice on the tent in the morning this time.
In the morning we awoke to sunshine & warmer temps. We cooked b'fast & then loaded our daypacks for the trip up to the pk.
Sunrise on Copper Mtn. Rainier & Pyramid in the morning
From the basin, the bootpath continues on toward Pyramid, aiming for a gap in the ridge. The trail gets steep in places but is easy to follow. From the gap, we could see over to the other side & noticed a couple waterfalls.
Getting closer... Mt. St. Helens Iron Mtn. & Copper Mtn. Morning light on Mt. Adams 1 label Heading up to the gap in the ridge Getting closer to the gap Waterfalls Rainier's southern slopes as seen from the gap Waterfall Zoom of falls Looking down into Pyramid Park
From the gap, the trail turns to the left to follow the south ridge up to the summit. It gets pretty steep & exposed, & b/c of this I was slow getting to the top. The trail gets faint in places & the steeper parts are more of a scramble, but overall the rock is pretty safe & solid. Tony & Todd got to the summit, w/MM & I shortly behind as I breathed a sigh of relief. The summit is grassy & very roomy & flat, w/awesome views in all directions.
Heading up Pyramid I can see how it gets its name Rainier as seen from the summit of Pyramid Pk. The boyz atop Pyramid Pk. Zoom of Pt. Success Iron Mtn., Copper Mtn. Mt. Adams & St. Helens in the distance Mt. St. Helens Mt. Adams Copper Mtn. Iron Mtn. 2 lil' bumps 11 labels Goat Rocks, w/Plummer & Lane in foreground Mildred Pt.? Bismarck? My shadow Glaciers Lower part of Glacier Is. End of Emerald Ridge Accidental picture Group shot on the summit Upper hunk of Glacier Is. St. Andrews Rock? Tony getting the boot shot TT, Tony, & MM on the summit Looking down to the basin from the summit Lazin' on the summit Big rocks below Rounded summit of Pyramid
After over an hr. on the summit, we decided we'd better head down if we still wanted to check out the Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. I didn't get any pics of coming down the summit block, as I was trying to get down as fast as possible before the vertigo took over. So instead, once I got down to flatter ground I took pics of Todd & Tony coming down.
Todd & Tony coming down Faint crescent moon
On the way back to camp we enjoyed the fall colors in the meadows.
Fall color below Copper Mtn. Fall color The boyz heading back down to camp Fall color
We got to camp & packed up, then headed back past Mirror Lks. to the junction & took the 0.3 side trip to Indian Henry's Patrol Cabin / Ranger Station. I'd been here before, but from the other direction & in crummy weather. It was nice to see what it looked like on a sunny, warm day!
IH Ranger Station Sunlit porch The boyz chillin' @ the cabin Pond by cabin Pisser There was a weasel inside of the pisser!
We signed the log book, then looked @ the "Bear Log". Several parties had reported seeing bears in the meadow across from the cabin, but we saw none. I think Tony was pretty disappointed.
From the cabin we made pretty quick time back down to the suspension bridge after a brief break to filter water. After the bridge we quickly got through the steep downhill sections to the riverbed, then busted out the headlamps for the last part of the trail & rd.
Filtering Heading down Last look @ Pyramid Boot shot from bridge On the bridge Todd on the bridge
Upon reaching the car, we noticed that a mouse had gotten inside & tore up the roll of TP on the floor of the back seat. It also appeared as though it was interested in the Jolly Ranchers & gum inside the glove compartment. Other than that, we hadn't left anything edible in the car. But now we'll know that even mice like candy & gum.
Back in Eatonville we stopped @ Puerto Vallarta for dinner, where I got a mighty stiff margarita--it felt like it was 75% tequila. I'll have to remember that for next time.
Big thanks to Trailblazing Todd, Obi Tony Kenobi, & MountainMan for a great trip to a really cool place!!
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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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:59 pm
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Looks like a great place to spend a day and a half. WTF is up with the mousies breaking into peoples cars at MRNP? Some folks at Sunrise yesterday had one in their car. I guess I got lucky because I left food and crumbs everywhere in our truck.
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Chief Joseph Member
Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 7709 | TRs | Pics Location: Verlot-Priest Lake |
Nice pics and report, will have to put that place on my list. A hiker in blue jeans? I thought that they were extinct?
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
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MountainMan Member
Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 365 | TRs | Pics Location: San Diego |
Starting off:
TH Gate Could of driven through...
Along the trail:
TT on the trail. Looks like a beaver dam. Frog
Falls:
Falls ISO-800 Falls ISO-100 Falls ISO-800 Falls ISO-100
Footbridge:
BC at footbridge. Footbridge and Pyramid Pk. Crossing Footbridge
Views from the trail:
Zoom of colored bands on Mt Rainier. Mt Rainier Small falls
Fall colors
Rainier, Pyramid Pk, Copper Mtn and Iron Mtn. Mt Rainier
Mt Rainier Looking at frogs. Frogs Hiking through Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. Silver trees Rainier and Pyramid Pk. Frog
Mirror Lakes:
Mirror Lakes Reflections Reflections Reflections
More Views:
Big ditch Mt Rainier and Pyramid Pk View SE Adams
Sunset:
Sunset on Rainier and Pyramid
Sunset on Rainier and Pyramid Sunset on Rainier Sunset on Rainier
Day 2
Heading up:
Pyramid on the way up. Rainier on the way up Pyramid. Falls Glacier Glacier Looking up Pyramid. BC and Obi on the way up.
On top:
Rainier from Pyramid Pk. Pano looking South from Pyramid with BC and TT.
Iron and Copper Mtns. Fall colors Glacier zoomed Glacier zoomed Zoom of Goat Rocks. Mt Adams Mt St Helens
Pano looking South
Clouds over Puget Sound. Fall color Rainier from Pyramid.
Group pic on Pyramid Peak. Fall colors Mirror Lakes
Zoom of footbridge from Pyramid. Boot-shot looking down Pyramid's east side. Falls
View SE Pinnacle and Plummer from Pyramid. Goat Rocks
On the way down:
Obi and BC headed down. Looking back up. TT and Obi coming down from Pyramid Pk. View on the way down to the west. Falls Looking down. Falls Fall color Fall colors Blue flowers BC at Indian Henrys Ranger Station. Tahoma Creek Pyramid Pk from near footbridge. BC on footbridge. Footbridge Last look at Pyramid. Mouse-ripped TP in car.
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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Trailblazing Todd Trail Wanderer
Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 126 | TRs | Pics Location: Everett |
This was a great trip with unexpected (but welcomed) warm temperatures. I love that suspension bridge over Tahoma Creek and the views on top of Pyramid Peak. I started remembering that part of the Wonderland Trail when I did it a number of years ago. It was great to see it from a different vantage point. Many pictures already, but I will just add some more:
Copper stream by the road A window of a sunny autumn Bloated Chipmunk on the Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge Trailblazing Todd on the Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge Mt. Rainier through the water bottle Copper, Iron, Ararat, and Wow Tahoma Creek and Emerald Ridge Mt Rainier (Point Success) Pyramid Park BC inbetween two volcanos Crystal Rock Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge
Wherever the trail takes me.
Wherever the trail takes me.
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veronika Member
Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 3015 | TRs | Pics Location: On the road |
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veronika
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Sun Oct 03, 2010 2:24 pm
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Thanks for the TR... Well done! It's great to see everyone's photos from different perspectives! Looks like a very nice trip!
I have always wanted to go across that suspension bridge. Now I know exactly how to get there.
BTW, I have a huge hole and pile of insulation in my trunk from the critters as well. They ate all my damn bread!
Take risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping
I may not have anyone rocking my world right now but, I don't have anyone messing it up either.
Take risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping
I may not have anyone rocking my world right now but, I don't have anyone messing it up either.
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Obi Tony Kenobi Waterfall Crazy!
Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 1899 | TRs | Pics Location: Marysville, WA |
This is a trip I don't think I would have done if it wasn't because Bloated Chipmunk brought it up. I had no idea the trail even existed. I was especially excited because of the ranger telling us it was full of bears of at Pyramid Peak area and Henry's Meadows.
Well for a road that is closed because of washouts, I think Westside Road is drivable all the way to the TH. Even where the road crosses the creek a 2-WD vehicle could go by.
For Tohoma Creek being an unmaintained trail, this trail is in excellent shape! There is one spot where the trail goes out towards the creek but it isn't a problem and to where you have to grab on to tree roots and "crawl" up, but they aren't a problem at all.
First view of Mount Rainier from Tohoma Creek Tohoma Creek Suspension Bridge Tohoma Creek Suspension Bridge
At 1.2 you hit the trail at your right and it is easy to miss. At 3.3 you get to the Wonderland Tohoma Creek Junction and a few feet after you get to the Tohoma Creek suspension bridge.
After 4.5 miles you reach the junction for Mirror Lakes and Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. Between here and The Tohomo Creek bridge you are basically walking under the trees with peeks once in a while of Mount Rainier. Pretty nice for a warm day. There is plenty of water on the trail and that is good since most of the trail is uphill starting at the bridge.
When you break out of the forest you end up at a meadow. Great views of Mount Rainier, Iron Mountain and Copper Mountain. Pyramid Peak is now hidden and doesn't show up again till you go around Copper Mountain.
At the junction it mentions the maintain trail to Mirror Lakes ends in .6 miles, but the trail is in great shape to below Pyramid Peak.
Mount Rainier and Mirror Lake Mount Rainier and Copper Mountain
We proceeded to find our campsite location, enjoy the views, eat dinner and then just admire the sea of stars with Jupiter shinning very brightly.
Mount Rainier's Liberty Cap and Point Success Mount Adams
The next day after having one of my best sleeps in backpacking ages (thanks to Benadryl and having had an all-nighter with insomia the night before), it was breakfast under perfectly blue skies and great temperatures!
Pyramid Peak Campsite Mount Rainier & Pyramid Peak from Camp Autumn Meadow Colors with Mount Rainier and Pyramid Peak Looming Large
We then proceeded to go climb Pyramid Peak. The unmaintain trail is in great shape, except for some small sections of flooding and mud. As you start going up you come to a section right below the ridge that you scramble to get to the summit that give you great views of Pyramid Park and Tomlinson Falls.
Pyramid Park with Upper Tomlinson Falls and Tomlinson Falls Tomlinson Falls, Pyramid Creek, MRNP Mount Rainier and Pyramid Park
Pyramid Park is beautiful and you can see the 3 tributaries coming out of either springs or up above from a glacier come together to form Pyramid Creek. One tributary holds Upper Tomlinson Falls and downstream Tomlinson Falls. Just a beautiful place.
We then proceeded up to Pyramid Peak's summit and I just jetted to the top unfaced by any exposure. Most of it is Class 2 and a small bit here and there of Class 3, but it sure didn't bug me.
At the summit the views of Mount Rainier and its summits of Liberty Cap and Point Success are in your face! The glaciers, streams, meadows, mountain peaks... you name it!
Volcanoes (loking at Mount Adams and its mighty presence I still can't believe I was at its summit)
Mount Adams from the Pyramid Peak summit Mount Saint Helens from the Pyramid Peak Summit
meadows
Pyramid Park and Falls Meadows from Pyramid Peak Summit
mountains
Iron and Copper Mountains from the Summit of Pyramid Peak Tahoma Creek with Copper and Iron Mountains from Pyramid Peak Summit
the Tahomo Creek suspension bridge:
Tohoma Creek Suspension Bridge from Pyramid Summit
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier from Pyramid Peak Summit Mount Rainier from the Summit of Pyramid Peak
summit pictures
Pyramid Peak Group Summit Picture Pyramid Peak Group Summit Picture Mandatory Pyramid Peak Summit Boot Shot
Paradise
Paradise from Pyramid Peak Summit
..and waterfalls
Upper Tomlinson Falls, Pyramid Creek, MRNP Tomlinson Falls, Pyramid Creek, MRNP Tomlinson Falls, Pyramid Creek, MRNP Tokaloo Falls, Puyallup River, MRNP
I search from up above for a bear but Yogi and is gang where no where to be seeing
After enjoying our time up there we headed down to pack up and head out. We went over to Indian Henry's Hunting Grounds and checked out the cabin.
Indian Henry's Hunting Grounds Cabin
One thing I was surprise of was I was expecting vast meadows at Indian Henry's with more clearings similar to Pyramid Park, but it was more of a "Bears" meadow. Still no bears anywhere.
We headed back for home and just like when we went up, we never saw a soul; ok, we saw one person the whole trip.
Tohoma Creek & Pyramid Peak from the Tohoma Creek Bridge Tohoma Creek & Pyramid Peak from the Tohoma Creek Bridge
We finally used headlamps about 2.5 miles away and got to the car to discover a mouse had made itself at home in the car.
Great trip and beautiful fall colors. No mosquitoes, but the flies are out and they are a pain. If you love frogs they are everywhere you have to be careful not to step on them and the streams, ponds, and tarns are full of tadpoles.
Thanks to BC, Todd, and MM for a wonderful trip and company!
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JimK Member
Joined: 07 Feb 2002 Posts: 5606 | TRs | Pics Location: Ballard |
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JimK
Member
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Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:29 pm
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Nice weather and a great destination. Glad to hear that the Tahoma Creek trail is still passable. On my one visit to Pyramid we ran into an accidental Mountaineer mistake. Both Seattle and Everett had trips set for the same day. We were on the summit with 24 new acquaintances. After all that distance we had zero solitude.
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
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Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:20 pm
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What was the total distance in for this trip? I wondered what this approach might be like. I've heard of going in from Indian Henry's as well and doing it as a day trip. Both ways probably good long day hauls but I don't do the overnight thing....
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the Zachster Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
Thank you for posting this report! It's one of my favorite places (such a different perspective of The Mountain) but we've always gone in through Kautz Creek. Your report has given me more incentive to go in the other way next time. Beautiful pics, especially Mirror Lake and sunset shots!
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
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Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:27 pm
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Yea I had figured the Kautz Creek approach as well. Looks like an interesting alternative.
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raising3hikers Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2344 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
Nice reflection pics Thanks for the TR
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Obi Tony Kenobi Waterfall Crazy!
Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 1899 | TRs | Pics Location: Marysville, WA |
Tigermn, the total distance I got from my GPS which included summiting Pyramid Peak, the side trip to Indian Henry's and wondering around looking for a campsite was 16.42 miles.
If you are just going to Indian Henry's it is 10 miles rt.
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Highwalker's Daughter Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics Location: Bothell, WA |
Beautiful place! Loved the pictures and detailed report.
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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
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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