Camp Muir, WA - Third Ascent

Last Sunday I aimed at my third ascent to Camp Muir (10,100') - base camp for scaling Mt. Rainier (14,400'). It started out with a gorgeous blue sky, but when we reached above 7,000' near Pebble Creek, the notorious mountain cloud started to roll in....Mt. Rainier forms its own clouds at any time regardless of weather...."whiteout". Also, wind picked up and temperature dropped quickly.  But, we judged it would be safe to continue to ascend as other hikers kept going up and down as well....the visibility was about 100' - 200', depending on clouds density.  Wildflowers were abundant all over displaying beautiful colors along the trail....the very reason many people visit Mt. Rainier during this time of the year and autumn. In fact, I've seen a tourist strolling with her high heels on along the paved trail, no kidding! The views from Camp Muir was awesome and even magically austere with clouds rolling in before our eyes. It was a great hike with a little adventure as we breathed deep the thin air into above 10,000'.

Round trip	10 miles
Elevation Gain	4,600 ft
Highest Point	10,100 ft

"Mount Rainier contains the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings."  - John Muir -

*Click to view large.

 John Muir and his climbing party at summit of Mt. Rainier, 1888.

(Properties of Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries)

Sauk Mountain - WA

Sauk Mountain - Recently I read about this hike and was intrigued.  Drive up to trailhead at 4,000 ft on the rather rough forest road - pot holes and wash board.....but, no worries, you don't need a SUV, carefully driving, though.  The trail is short - 4.5 miles RT, and only 1,200 ft gain.  However, be well prepared for the steady elevation gain up on the very steep face of Sauk Mountain.  Also, the trail faces to west/south, which means you have to fight with the direct sun when it's sunny. So, bring plenty of water and sun screen.   The day I went was cloudy, so it was cool and comfortable....and luckily bugs were quiet!  The views at the summit were cloud covered, but I found it mystically beautiful and enchanting....crags, wild flower meadows and emerald green Sauk Lake are among Sauk Mountain's beauties. While clouds lingered to hide the spectacular mountain vistas (Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak and N. Cascades), a special treat was lots of wildflowers and marmots!  I saw at least four friendly marmots along the trail. 

It's a rather long drive from Seattle (3 hrs), but worthwhile for going to Sauk Mountain - great getaway for breathtaking mountain views, wild flowers and making friends with marmots in this short hike.

Round trip	4.2 miles
Elevation Gain	1190 ft
Highest Point	5537 ft

 

Mailbox Peak, WA

No Pain, no gain. That fits Mailbox Peak. My second ascent since 2010. It's a butt kicker and thigh burner, no doubt. This hike is one of the steepest hikes in N. Cascades - 3 miles and 4100 ft gain. How does it sound?  Feel challenged, or intimidated? You'll be surprised to see so many hikers go up there...trail gets crowded. Often on weekend you find the parking lot full.  It's a bit crazy hike, though, the rewards at the top make it all worthwhile.....spectacular 360 views and wildflowers. And remember, once you reach the summit, you have to descend the same steep trail. Hiking poles are a must for this hike. There is a mailbox at the summit as the mountain is called Mailbox Peak.  5 mile long new trail is under construction now, so you won't have to be intimidated by the elevation gain soon!


Round trip:       6.0 miles
Elevation Gain:  4100 ft
Highest Point:   4926 ft

Skyline Divide - Mt. Baker

After 3 years late due, I finally made it to Mt. Baker's Skyline Divide.  This hike had been on my bucket list for quite a while.

The trail goes through treeline about 2.5 miles with gradual ascent similar to Mt. Si, but not many switchbacks, which leads you to wild flowers meadows along the ridge with breathtaking vistas of Mt. Shaksun, Mt. Baker and Cascades mountains. Hike along the meadows and/or the ridge stretching to the climbers route to summit Mt. Baker as long and far as you want and feed your soul. There's no shortage of nature's grand vistas all along the way!

The ridge trail "divides" the skyline; hence, it's "Skyline Divide" trail.

Round trip: 7 miles
Elev. gain:  2500 ft
High point: 6500 ft