Mazama Ridge Snowshoe

I drove up through the clouds to Paradise at Mt Rainier National Park to snowshoe up to Mazama Ridge (4 miles round trip with 1,000 ft overall gain). I was happy to have a view of Mt Rainier at the Parking Lot. This view was soon covered in clouds. Today I saw two skiers up on Mazama Ridge, and then 2 skiers and 2 snowshoers as I came down from Mazama Ridge.

When I reached the closed Paradise Valley Road, the snow was soft and sloppy, so I put my snowshoes on. There were lots of clouds with the sun trying to break through as I headed to 4th crossing.

view of Paradise River downstream from the bridge at 4th Crossing

view of Paradise River upstream from the bridge at 4th Crossing

The clouds started to lift as I headed up Mazama Ridge. Runnels along the hillside along with evidence of recent avalanches.

Beautiful blue sky and Mt Rainier as I continue up Mazama Ridge.

For a short time the clouds revealed the top of the Tatoosh Peaks while I was up on Mazama Ridge. So beautiful!

Lots of clouds over Stevens Canyon to the east.

For a while, I was snowshoeing into this gorgeous view of Mt Rainier.

This is my favorite snowshoe that I can easily drive to for a day hike.

zoom of Little Tahoma

Panorama of this winter wonderland up on Mazama Ridge

For a while the clouds came in an obstructed the views, the skiers headed back down, but I continued to my favorite lunch spot and was rewarded with mountain views while I took a break. There was no one here but me, so serene!

It wasn't long before the clouds returned.

It didn't look as if the clouds would lift for some time, so I followed my tracks back down the trail.

With no mountain views, I noticed the beauty in the shape of the slopes with the runnels making patterns in the snow.

The clouds lifted enough for good visibility, but no more mountain views while I was here.

Lovely view of the winding Paradise River in the valley below as I headed back up the Paradise Valley Road to the parking area.

 

Lena Lake

I drove up Forest Road 25in the east Olympics to hike up to Lena Lake and Lena Creek, 7.2 miles round trip with 1,300' of gain. I was happy to see trillium in bloom.

The trail is in the forest, lots of moss, ferns and tall tress.

There were many yellow violets in bloom.

And a couple of shrubs

All the blooms I saw today were below 1,100 ft.

Large tree over the trail

Large moss covered boulders at the first bridge (which now goes over a dry creek bed).

I enjoyed all the green moss carpeting the forest floor.

There was some water runoff onto the trail.

The Second bridge is near Lena Lake

The creek that flows under the second bridge

Lena Lake from Lunch Rock

Couple of downed trees over the trail at the far end of where the campsites are.

The only snow on the trail was past Lena Lake on the way to Lena Creek.

Looking upstream of Lena Creek

The large log bridge over Lena Creek washed away some time ago. I wouldn't cross on this fallen tree.

Looking downstream of Lena Creek

Lena Creek as it enters Lena Lake below.

Views of Lena Lake from a couple of the campsites along the lake.

This small stream crosses over the trail.

Large rock wall/boulder along the trail.

It was raining as I hiked back down the trail. Loved the trilliums today.

 

Beaver Falls

On my drive home from the Makah Reservation today, I stopped at Beaver Falls, about 2 miles north of Highway 101 on Highway 113. It is about 0.1 mile down to see the waterfall. View from along the trail

View of Beaver Falls as seen along Beaver Creek

 

Cape Flattery

For my second hike in the Makah Reservation today, I took the Cape Trail to the end of Cape Flattery which is the northwestern most point of the lower 48 states. this is also the northern boundary of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The trail is 1.5 miles round trip with 200 ft of loss/gain. The trail is part boardwalk and part dirt.

Side view point looking north, love the color of the ocean here.

Tatoosh Island with lighthouse to the west of Cape Flattery. Today, we saw a sea otter swimming below the viewpoint.

Another view to the north

viewpoint looking south among the coves

another view to the south

As I was driving out, I saw these 3 swans swimmin on the Waatch River in the Makah Reservation.