We drove up to Paradise at Mt Rainier National Park to find a hike out of the rain this morning. We hiked up the west side of the High Skyline Trail and down the Golden Gate Trail to make a 5 mile loop hike with 1,550 ft of elevation gain. Although we hiked mostly in the clouds, we did have some moments of blue sky and views.. We saw fall color, many small waterfalls and a mother bear with two cubs, a wonderful morning!
Some nice fall color seen from near the parking area at Paradise.
A brief moment of blue sky and view of the Tatoosh Peaks as we began our hike.
Most of our hike heading up and across the High Skyline Trail was in the clouds.
We had a very brief glimpse of part of Mt Rainier on the way up to Panorama Point.
A creek along the trail running down the side of Panorama Point.
Hiking across the High Skyline Trail. There were two short steep, icy sections where we wore our micro spikes. There were a few hikers who turned around above Panorama Point, because they were not prepared to hike up the steep icy bit.
Momentary blue sky as we hiked down the Golden Gate Trail.
Golden Gate Falls
Some fall color along the Golden Gate Trail
The clouds quickly came back down
Our views were soon obscured.
It was fun to watch the clouds swirling in and out over the ridges.
small waterfall along one of the many creeks
I was so determined to get a photo of these falls between the moving clouds, I didn't see the black bear feeding off to the left until my friend pointed her out to me.
We spent some time watching this momma bear and her two large cubs grazing along the slopes below Alta Vista. (blurred zoom photo)
more views of the Tatoosh Peaks
Edith Creek at the log bridge and lots of color going up Alta Vista.
Some trees that were obscuring the view of Myrtle Falls have been cut down since I hiked here a couple of weeks ago. Myrtle Falls is so beautiful!
Enjoying the fall colors.
The colors were more intense, when the sun broke out.
Looking across Paradise Valley to Mazama Ridge.
Paradise Inn below, Tatoosh Peaks behind.
More fall color as we completed our hike down to the parking area.
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