Panorama Point and beyond via Edith Creek route, winter hike/snowshoe

Today was another gorgeous sunny day on Mt Rainier with low avalanche risk. So we decided to head up to Panorama Point again, but taking a different route and continuing above the point for a ways. Instead of hiking around Alta Vista to the west, we headed up the Edith Creek Basin Route to the east from the Paradise Parking lot. There wasn't much snow and it was packed in the morning, so we started with microspikes.

I marked our route on the map in pink. It is about a 5 mile hike with 1300 ft elevation gain to Panorama Point. We probably hiked another 1/4 mile or so above the point with another 200 - 300 ft in elevation gain and then returned via the route to the west of Alta Vista.

 The Edith Creek Basin Route goes over the bridge above Mildred Falls.

 Edith Creek above Mildred Falls, and Mt Rainier in the distance. My shadow as I stand on the bridge.

 A little further up the route, we can see Panorama Point to the right of Mt Rainier.

 Along the way, we found this decorated Christmas tree. There were even small solar panels in the tree to power on the lights.

 When we reached the base of Panorama Point, we decided to take the "other" route up to the Point. This one goes up along the tree lined ridge. I thought it was steeper than last week's route up the west side of Panorama Point.

 Part way up, we found a "flat" spot to sit, catch my breath, and enjoy the view.

 I was very excited to reach the flat plateau of Panorama Point, where we ate lunch and rested before continuing up.

 Way up (towards Camp Muir for those inclined). Not the trail maker seen in the snow. It is usually buried beneath the snow this time of year.















Here we are about 200 - 300 ft above Panorama Point, great views looking south towards Mt Adams, Hood and Mt St Helens.

This raven also enjoyed the views today.

 Mount Rainier seems so close here.

 Heading back down toward Panorama Point. We glissaded down a couple of the steep slopes along the way.

 Looking back at Panorama Point from the west. The main route is between the two rocky points on the left side of this picture (how we came down). Our upward route was along the tree ridge line traveling up from the right side of the picture. The drop offs (not seen, they are behind the ridge) are very steep.

 After descending from Panorama Point, the snow was mushy in the afternoon sun, so we put our snowshoes on. We continued to enjoy the views as we hiked back to the parking lot along the west side of Alta Vista.

 Enjoying another view of "the mountain" from the parking lot before driving home.