Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Panhandle Gap Hike Mt Rainier

My sister Laraine and my daughter have been wanting to hike up to Panhandle Gap on Mt Rainier and I was happy to go along. 12 mile round trip and 3000 ft elevation gain on a beautiful sunny day.We started at the trailhead at Frying Pan Creek.
 About 3 miles up the trail we enter the meadows, no wildflowers here, but plenty of colorful berries.
Mt Tahoma seen in the background.
 the gentian was just opening at Summerland (4.2 miles & 2000 ft up the trail)
 Mt Rainier and Mt. Tahoma in the background
There was a lot less snow here today, than when I was here 9 days ago, 
we could see a lot of snow melt, water pouring off the glaciers.

at Panhandle Gap (6 miles and 3000 ft up the trail)
 looking Northwest from where we hiked up
 at Panhandle Gap, the view to the Southeast, including Mt Adams and Mt Hood 
 Mountain Goats seen high up the Cowlitz Ridge 
 On the way down, we looked back and saw the moon rising over Panhandle Gap


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