High Skyline Loop Hike at Mt Rainier

We drove up to Paradise on Mt Rainier for a gorgeous hike. We parked in the lower parking lot to give us more time in the meadows and a longer hike. We hiked about 6+ miles with around 2000 ft total elevation gain.On the trail between the upper and lower parking lots we saw grouse and deer, besides lots of wildflowers.

We hiked up the Alta Vista Trail option of the Skyline Trail, even at the end of August, 

we had a couple of snow fields to cross. We were now hiking in the clouds.

 We hiked the short side trip to Glacier Overlook and then up to Panorama Point,

very limited visibility. 

 We didn't want to cross the steep icy field on the lower Skyline trail, 

so we headed up to the High Skyline trail, lots of large interesting rocks

 As we descended back into the meadows, the was lots of fresh snow melt 

and an abundance of wildflowers.

 
The trail continues past the Golden Gate Trail turn off, on to Mazama Ridge then descends down the Skyline trail

 
We saw marmots in the rocks among the wildflowers.

 On the left: Sluiski Falls (300 ft) in the distance. On the right: one of the many small falls we saw.

 

 Continuing along the trail, the clouds lifting to the south. More wildflowers.

 Myrtle Falls (60 ft) only 0.4 miles from the Paradise Inn.