Comet Falls and Van Trump Park

 We headed up to Mt Rainier National Park to hike up to Comet Falls and Van Trump Park, about 6 miles round trip with 2,000 ft of gain. The trail was icy off and on, and we choose to use our microspikes and were glad we had poles.
Near the beginning of the trail a foot bridges crosses Van Trump Creek above Christine Falls (which can not be seen from this trail as we are above the falls).

Van Trump Creek above the foot bridge

 Van Trump Creek belowthe foot bridge

 There are several places along the trail with views of Van Trump Creek with many cascades carving out small pools along the way.















A way up the trail, the view opens up briefly for a view of the top of Mt Rainier.
















Lots of lovely frosty fallen leaves along the trail

 There were several sections of icy trail, especially going through the boulders.
















About 1.6 miles from the trailhead a log bridge crosses the east fork of Van Trump Creek with lovely views of Bloucher Falls (124 ft drop)

 200 ft further along the trail, we had our first view of Comet Falls (320 ft drop)
















The trail continues for another 0.2 miles with continues views of Comet Falls, until going steeply uphill for 0.8 miles to the junction of th Rampart Ridge Trail

 As the trail nears the junction to Van Trump Park we had distant views of Mt St Helens and












Mt Adams to the south

 From Rampart Ridge, there is a side trail to Van Trump Park. Our first view of Rainier in Van Trump Park.
We continued about 0.5 mile to the end of the a maintained trail (mostly covered in well packed snow) and continued a short ways until we reached a clearing with great views.

 We enjoyed sitting in the views and soaking up the sun, a made a temporary snow angel.

 On our hike back down the trail we saw a grouse

















There were a few fungi along the lower sections of the trail