We drove up to the Narada Falls parking area at Mt Rainier National Park to snowshoe up to Reflecion Lakes. With the high and unpredictable avalanche risks recently, we decided to take the route that did not cross any avalanche terrain. This was about 4 miles round trip with 800+ ft of elevation gain overall.This route has not yet been marked by the ski patrol. We were the first ones out on this route today. The first part of the "trail" that goes along the Paradise River had a nice trough, showing were others had snowshoed.
The snow didn't seem as deep as when I snowshoes here one week previously.
View along the Paradise River
Ruby Falls were very icy.
On reaching the closed Stevens Canyon Road, we could see the orange stakes and signs ready to be place.
We continued up the closed road about 1/4 mile looking for the Lakes Trail junction.
The Lakes Trail is a less traveled way to Reflection Lakes in the winter, but has no avalanche terrain to cross. Between gps and remembering this route from previous seasons, we were able to find our way through the forest to Reflection Lakes. With the fresh snow, we were breaking trail this mile section of our snowshoe. In places we post holed 12" even with snowshoes on.
It was so quite in the snow. On a clear day, there would be a view of Mt Rainier here.
We knew we were getting close to the road before Reflection Lakes when we crossed this open area and seeing the Tattosoh Range in front of us.
First view of Reflection Lakes
We snowshoes along the edge of the lake, looking for a nice sheltered area to enjoy our lunch break. We had the lake to ourselves.
Pano of Reflection Lakes:
This stellar jay kept an eye on us throughout our lunch break.
Our snowshoe back was a little easier as we were returning on our previous made tracks.
View of the Tattoosh Peaks as we neared the parking area.
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