Mt. Rainier National Park, Part 2


Back on the road early, first thing this morning, as I stopped at a few pull outs with a view that is even better than what I saw yesterday! The sun is out, without a cloud in the sky, and there is a clean view of Mount Rainier! It's the first time I can see the icy aquamarine blue tones within the glaciers! It's very clear. I don't recall seeing that in 2000.

After a brief stop at the Box Canyon trail, I headed on to Couger Rock Camp, within the park, and was able to secure a spot for the evening before 10:00 a.m. I did a bit of a backtracking to go up to Paradise, the Visitor Center. I walked a trail which took some very steep inclines then gentle slopes down, along a stream. I'm slow, and steady, as the elevation is 5400+ feet. Not that high, but I feel it just the same.

I passed over the Nisqually River bridge that hangs over this very rocky steep churning river. This whole area was very open and majestic, with crystal clear views all around. I almost held my breath, as I walked the bridge, as the heights alone were dizzying!

When I was here in August of 2000, the lupin were in full bloom. There are no lupin yet, this season, instead beautiful fields of white and yellow alpine lily, and many other flowers in shades of fuchsia, purple, red, and yellow. Gorgeous!

I went through the exhibits and also visited the Paradise Inn, where I stayed in 2000, and it looked much the same. It has rustic charm. Mount Rainier was the fifth National Park established in the United States. Their visitor center, and buildings were purposely designed with a rustic flare using indigenous materials, such as pine logs, and rock foundations. This style was a repeated influence for many of our other National Parks throughout the country.

The afternoon clouds have started rolling in, and a gentle calming rain has been coming down. I don't seem to get enough gentle rains in the Sonoran Desert, so this is a novelty, and I'm enjoying it.






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