Day 40

Our good weather "luck" has finally run out.  We knew the forecast for today was rain, but held hopes that we would get even a small window of opportunity to see Mt. Rainier.  While we did get an extremely small window, it was not large enough to see the entire mountain.  We had to leave quickly this morning when the sun "popped out" to even catch that small window, but good thing we did because the rain and low clouds did roll in entirely obscuring the mountain.

Nonetheless, we did see unbelievable sights and took the best pictures we could. We share them below. Mondays' forecast calls for 2-4 inches of snow inside the National Park, so don't know what to expect. Probably will end up going back into the park for snow covered scenery.

We drove the north/south route today and will do the east/west route if we can for a different point of view, albeit a snow covered one.  We will know in the morning.

For now - pictures.

Entering the park we could see sun coming through the forest.  The drive to the top takes an hour and we rushed to get up there before the clouds got too heavy

Just inside the park and already it is really "foggy".  Bummer!

On the way to Sunrise Point, the highest point accessible by vehicle, in the park.  The fog lifted somewhat due to lower temperatures but high, low, and scattered clouds lingered

First view of Mt. Rainier. The top of the mountain is totally snow covered and is mostly obscured by clouds, but if you look above the dark mountain peak you will see that Mt. Rainier is towering above.  We were still on our way up and just happened to look back (Ellen did, I was trying to keep the car on the road)  and were struck by the size of the "monster" looming behind us.  At this point we were getting really excited.

Another view looking back as we are going up the road. The White River is winding in the valley below.  The White is the main drainage from Mt. Rainier.  Not much flow at this time of year, but you'll get a feel for what it's like in spring runoff in an upcoming picture.

Still climbing but now the mountain is in front.

Getting closer to Sunrise Point. The tall peak in the right side of photo is one of several pinnacles surrounding the summit, which is not visible at this time.

Viewpoint stop just one mile from the summit at Sunrise Point.
It was just breathtaking to see such a huge mass of mountain "up close and personal".
And very cold!

To the right and left of the "peak" were beautiful green meadows

Isabelle enjoyed the view too

There were no toilets at the viewpoint

I'm hugging Isabelle to keep my hands warm

Still not clear at the top, but one of 20+ glaciers is visible.  My cell camera can not show the color, but the "blue ice" of the glacier is clearly seen.

More blue ice an the terminus of the glacier

We just kept snapping pictures hoping for the peak to show through so many of these look about the same

Amazing anything could be alive at this elevation, especially colorful flowers

Here is a picture of the White River on the way back down.  Just a trickle now, but think what would look like at it's full width in the spring.  It really looks white (and is) but we still don't know why.  Must be some dissolved minerals from high up.

Ellen got out of the car to get a better picture.  I was "messing" with her and kept on driving (slowly).  She was running to catch up.

 

Day 39

Another short trip today (Saturday) to Packwood, WA. - a 100 mile drive.

The weather, as forecasted, is wet and foggy and we can't see anything of interest (yet).

The campgrounds in Mt. Rainier NP, while still open, are heavily forested and that mixed with rain make for a muddy mess, no cell service, no internet, and no clear view of the southern sky for DirecTv reception.

Here in Packwood we are camped on grass and have an "open" campsite and all services.  It's also conveniently located near the road South to Mt. St Helen's Eastern side, as well as the road North to Mt. Rainier.

Now we just need the clouds to break long enough to see both.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we will drive into Mt. Rainier to have a look around and drive to Sunrise Point Visitor Center - the highest we can get on a paved road.

Hopefully the weather will clear a little so we can actually see Mt. Rainier.