Hiking With Gadget Girl
It's All About The Adventure!
08-07-24 Third Day Mt Rainier Backpacking Trip:
Total stats for the day:
Mileage: 10.87 miles (Note: the Mirror Lake part was another 2.5 miles)
Elevation: 3,445 ft elevation gain, 2,828 ft elevation drop
A challenging day was in front of us as we made our way to the South Puyallup River Camp and connected to the Wonderland Trail (WT). The main reason we were doing this backpacking trip was that three of our group who did the full WT circuit last year ended up in the mist/rain/fog and missed the amazing views on this part of the trail (Emerald Ridge, Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, and Patrol Cabin section).
Just as we crossed over Westside Road to catch the trail to South Puyallup River Camp and the Wonderland Trail, there was an interesting sign that beckoned us to check out. Wow, did not know about a Marine Memorial on Mt Rainier.
The temperature was perfect and the sun was out. Just a little bit of smoggy haze that drifted in and out but didn't cover the views. Around each switchback a little bit more mountain and glacier view would tease and tantalize us until we reached the top and stood there gaping at majestic Mt Rainier.
Ate a leisurely lunch before heading down to the suspension bridge. The things one sees - on the way down a marmot literally threw and flattened itself on the trail. A Western Pasque Flower seedhead was having a bad hair day.
It was Trish A's first time crossing a suspension bridge and she had many questions on the best way to cross. 150 ft across and 200 ft down over a frothy white glacial river can set the nerves a-tingle.
We regrouped on the other side and headed back up the mountain side to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. Arrived at the Patrol Cabin where we discovered a beautiful clean outhouse. Three of our group went off to explore Mirror Lake and all its beautiful flowers while the other two enjoyed quiet time and a nap.
Finally arrived at the group camp site at Devil's Dream and ate a well deserved dinner. This camp site (Group and Individuals) are well known for mosquitoes. We were relieved that we weren't totally driven insane by them. Headnets and a ThermaCELL backpacking gadget helped keep the bugs off.