After yesterday's hike up to Camp Muir, we decided to keep today mellow. We hiked the Naches Peak Loop and added Dewey Lake for a total of 7+ miles. Part of this hike was on the Pacific Crest Trail. The trailhead for the hike was near the top of Chinook Pass which is 5430ft.
Views of Mt Rainier as we drove to the trailhead
As with many of our WA hikes so far, the trailhead starts at elevation. Right from the beginning of the hike, there were lots of alpine flowers and sweet views of mountains (including Rainier). We decided to add a little bit extra to the Loop by tacking on Dewey Lake which is a pristine alpine lake with blue-green water.
A bridge for the Pacific Crest Trail hikers to cross the highway
Wildflowers and waterfalls are abundant in Washington
Dewey Lake
WA alpine lakes have such a beautiful color to them
A picturesque spot to have a little snack break
Dan got really comfortable
The trees are so straight, tall, and covered with lichen
Bear-grass: it smells divine
An unfinished bridge - none of the boards were nailed down
Dewey Lake in the distance
After we wrapped up the hike, we were quite toasty as it was another 100+ degree day, so we considered our options for cooling down. Swimming holes were at the top of the list. I spotted a pull-off that had one car and seemed to be near a creek. So, we pulled the car off to explore. Turns out that we hit the jackpot for a perfect swimming hole. The water was inviting, even though it was freaking cold.
This was a super big tree
We found another swimming hole down a different path. This one had some big jumps (with a longer swim in water with a current)
Once back at the motel again in the early afternoon, Dan jumped into bed. I went to the small supermarket and got us pre-made salads and cup of noodle. We know how to live large. In the evening, dinner was only for me (Kara) because Dan didn't want to eat a big dinner, then get up early (3:15am), and have his tummy be all out of whack. I wolfed down my fajita and was in bed before 9.
Dan planned today's hike: Skyline to Camp Muir. He said he picked it because he likes mountains. This is true - Dan does like mountains. So, we set off early armed with lots of water, sunscreen, microspikes, trekking poles, ice axes, and PB&Js (of course). Much to our surprise, if you get to Mt Rainier National Park early enough, you get to enter for free.😃
Morining at Reflection Lake
Mt Rainier is looms massive as you drive up to the hiking trails.
A quote from John Muir is engraved into the steps leading to the hiking trails:
"The most significant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I have ever beheld in all my mountaintop wanderings."
Usually when we hike, we just start and don't really stop or take breaks. Well, Mt Rainier and all of the alpine flowers had me constantly stopping to take pictures. I may have taken way too many photos of this stunning landscape.
Avalanche lily: one of the 1st flowers to emerge from the snow
Magenta paintbrush and pink heather
This was a brave marmot on the trail. We were admiring all of the beautiful flowers when it wondered over and gobbled down a bunch of magenta paintbrush. I guess it really likes wildflowers too, just for different reasons.
At Pebble Creek, we reached the continuous snowfields. It was here that the real uphill slog began.
Refueling with a bar partway up
On the right hand side is Camp Muir, just below the last set of rocks.
Camp Muir sits at 10,084ft and is where mountaineers hoping to summit sleep before waking up at midnight to summit. Only 50% actually make it to the summit.
When we arrived at Camp Muir, there were several climbers who had just summited and were taking a break before descending the final 5000ft to the parking lot. Helicopters were moving supplies to and from the camp while we were there. It was a bustling place.
You can see the helicopter in the top of this photo
Standing on a glacier next to Camp Muir
A photo just before we began our descent
After refueling at Camp Muir with our PB&Js, we were ready to head down. It was sooooo fun glissading down the snow. Our pants were not waterproof so we got very cold, wet biscuits.
We used our poles like paddles
Once we were back on the Skyline Trail, I was back to admiring the alpine flowers.
Snow bridge
Bear-grass: Indigenous people use this plant to weave baskets
This bridge was a bit broken, but still worked
It was a super fun hike - Dan did a good job of planning it. Back in town, it was still over 100 degree, so we ate some quesadillas and gave the Airstream Ice Cream truck some business. Dan decided that we would have a mellow day the next day.
