Skyline Loop Trail at Mt Rainier National Park

 For my second hike today at Mt Rainier, I choose the Skyline Loop Trail starting from Paradise. I choose the Deadhorse Creek Trail on the way up to join the Skyline Loop. I think my hike this afternoon was 5.8 miles with about 1,700 ft of overall elevation gain.

 Although the wildflowers are said to be "past peak" there were plenty of wildflowers in bloom along this trail.

 Nisqually Glacier overlook, this afternoon I heard several rock slides and enjoyed seeing the waterfalls from the glaciers.

zoom of one of these waterfalls

There were lots of ground squirrels on the trail.

As the trail climbed up toward Panorama Point, I stopped to enjoy the view of the Tatoosh Range to the south where I hiked this morning (Plummer Peak in the center of the range).

Panorama to the south from Panorama Point, the Goat Rocks, Mt Adams and Mt St Helens very difficult to see in the distance due to the haze. Nice view of the Tatoosh Range.

 Continued up from Panorama Point to the High Skyline Trail, with a nice view of Mt Rainier

 There were still large patches of snow along the side of the trail.

 On the east side of the loop, there are many creeks lined with wildflowers

 It was so beautiful even with the haze and clouds moving around, I heard someone singing "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music" on the trail.

 I was very slow along the trail today, so many views and wildflowers, a great day to enjoy the journey!

 It was fun to watch the clouds gather around the top of Mt Rainier, blow away and new clouds come in and repeat.

 As the trail headed to Mazama Ridge, a ptarmigan crossed the trail

 followed by some of her chicks.

 Descending Mazama Ridge, we could see lots of water cascading down the sides of the mountain

 I love stopping at Myrtle Falls only 1/2 mile from the parking area.

















Back near the visitor center, I decided to soak in the views before the clouds completely obscured the mountain and heading home.

Some of the other wildflowers and flora I saw on the trail today:

(There were so many butterflies flying around today, I was blessed to capture a few in photos!)

  

 

Plummer Peak and Denman Peak

 Drove up to Mt Rainier National Park to do two hikes. In the morning, parked at the west most Reflection Lake to hike the Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail and head up to Plummer Peak and Denman Peak.  I did about 4.5 miles with 1,700 ft overall elevation gain.
Before starting the hike, I took this photo of Mt Rainier at Reflection Lake

 The trailhead is across the parking area from the west most Reflection Lake. The maintained trail ends at the Pinnacle Peak Saddle (about 1,070 ft of elevation gain), but there are several boot tracks up along the Tatoosh Ridge.

 The lower section is forested, but there are several open areas to view Mt Rainier along the way.

In the upper section, the trail crosses several scree fields, where I heard pika chirping, saw a marmot run across the trail and had some rocks fall down the slope onto the trail.  

Wide angle photo heading up towards the saddle: Pinnacle Peak, Plummer Peak and Denman Peak

 There were still wildflowers in bloom along the trail.

 Pinnacle Peak Saddle in site, Plummer Peak to the right.

From the Pinnacle Peak Saddle looking north to Mt Rainier













Pano from the Pinnacle Peak Saddle looking to the south, very hazy to the far south making it difficult to see the Goat Rocks, Mt Adams and Mt St Helens today. Plummer Peak to the right

 The boot track to Plummer Peak is to the right, it is well defined.

From Plummer Peak, looking down at the steepest section of this trail and across to Mt Rainier

 Mt Rainier and to the right in the valley far below: Reflection Lake where the trail began

Pano from atop Plummer Peak looking west: Tatoosh, Wahpenayo, Eagle, Chutla, Lane and Denman Peaks in the Tatoosh Range

 Pano from atop Plummer Peak looking east: Pinnacle, the Castle, Foss, Unicorn, Boundary and Stevens Peaks in the Tatoosh Range

 From atop Plummer Peak looking down into the Butter Creek Research Natural Area.

After descending Plummer Peak, I followed the boot track toward Denman Peak (which drops down an additional 200 ft before reaching Denman Peak). There were lupine in bloom here.

Trail approaching Denman Peak.

 I wasn't sure if this was the only way up Denman, but decided I wasn't comfortable heading up this track on my own, so I hiked back to the trailhead, continuing to enjoy the views and flowers.















some of the other wildflowers and flora seen along the trail today: