Light Boot Hiker Hike to Lake George, Mt. Rainier 6-2-2014

Had an amazing day today!  Ted and I were joined by our grandson, Eli, Betty and her grandsons, Tanner and Mason and our friend, Carol.

The parking area was moved on the Westside Road because over a month ago, there was rockfall from Mt. Wow.  I had heard about it, but was shocked to see how large the boulders were, they were huge!  The boys had a great time climbing them.    We had also heard that there had been cars parked there when the rocks came down and one of the boulders hit a car and totaled it.  No one was there.  Very lucky!  We continued on our hike after passing the boulders.   The boys had fun exploring their surroundings.  I thought it was going to be a really warm day, but it was very cool.   After hiking three and a half miles, we arrived at Round Pass, then to the trail head to the left to Lake George.  Another mile of hiking.   We were so excited at arriving to Lake George.   It is so beautiful!  There is still some snow on the lake and some small patches on the ground.  The boys took advantage of those small patches and had fun playing in the snow.   We had lunch, which always tastes so good, especially after a 4 1/2 mile hike to the lake.  We also did some exploring around the area and found some beautiful small waterfalls and ponds.  It was really hard leaving Lake George.  We also took a little side trip to the Marine Memorial at Round Pass.   In 1946, 37 Marines lost their lives in a plane crash on the Mt Tahoma glacier.   They were never found.  We headed down, and took another side trip to explore a small log cabin, then headed back to our vehicles.  We passed some backpackers on their way to Lake George, as well as people on bicycles and other hikers.  We all had an amazing day.  I was so proud that the boys did so well after a ten mile hike.  Another great day with great people!   Thank you, God.

Mason, Betty, Eli, Tanner, me and Carol

Huge boulders that fell from Mt. Wow

Boys having fun crawling on the boulder

Huge crater left by the boulder.  Amazing!

Off on our hike

Crossing foot bridge

Crossing small creek

Trail head to Lake George, another mile to go!

Snow at Lake George

Beautiful Lake George, Mt. Wow in background

Betty made a feast for grandkids.  She is the best!

Fun on the snow.

Ted

Carol and Me!

At Marine Memorial

Mt. Tahoma glacier where Marines were never found.

Memorial and names of all who were lost.

Boys exploring the cabin nestled in the woods.

Light Boot Hiker Hike on Saturday, June 7, 2014

This was our third try at Rampart Ridge.  The other two times, the weather was not cooperative, but today was beautiful!  Lots of sun!

Ted and I were joined by Anna, Joy, Cindy, Betty, Al, Tanner and Mason.  Could not wait to get started on the trail.  While hiking up the trail, we had fun chatting with one another.  That is what is so great about our hikes, we get to hike with such great people.

We ran into a couple of backpackers from Portland, Oregon and chatted with them.  They said they enjoyed their camp out.  They did not go up toward Indian Henry's Hunting Ground as they heard there was snow.  Can't wait until the snow melts there as that is one of my favorite hikes.

We hiked to the ridge, where there is a view point of the valley below where we can look down at Longmire and see the Nisqually River.  Also, a great view of Eagle Peak.

Then we hiked to the high point of the ridge and had a pretty good view of Mt. Rainier, although clouded at the top.  The grey jays were a little pesky as we tried to have our lunch, especially when they stole part of Tanner's sandwich.

We also saw some wild life as a mama deer and her two fawns were grazing near us.  They were not afraid of us.  It was fun watching them.

Then it was time to head on down.  We hiked down and did the loop trail back to Longmire.  On our way down, we ran into a couple from London, England who were visiting here.   Loved their accents.  We chatted with them.  Their next trip was to the Grand Tetons.  They were enjoying their stay here.

We had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying our surroundings with one another.  God makes good stuff!  A great day with great people!  Looking  forward to the next hike!

Cindy, Joy, Anna, Tanner, Al, Betty, Mason and Ted

Cindy under unusual bent tree.   Wonder how the tree grew that way!

Joy!

Me and Anna.  We have been friends for over 25 years!

Anna

Anna, Cindy, Joy and me at view point that looks down to valley below of

Longmire and you can see the winding Nisqually River.

Grey Jay stealing Tanner's Cheeto.

Lunch and relaxation at the high point.  View of Mt. Rainier there.

One pesky grey jay.

Mama deer and has a couple little ones with her.

Sort of clouded view of Mt. Rainier from high point of ridge.

I love my Ahnu Boots!  So comfy!  They are purple too.

Joy, enjoying her surroundings.

Al and Mason hiking down the trail.

Tanner hugging the huge cedar tree.

Me, Anna, Cindy, Betty and Joy.  Next to huge cedar tree.

Hike to Rampart Ridge on 6-3-14

On Tuesday, June 3, Me, Ted and Bronka went on a hike to Rampart Ridge, Mt. Rainier Park to check out the condition of the trail was before our Light Book Hiker hike on  Saturday.  

It was a cool cloudy day and did not see any views.  The trail was in good condition, and no snow!  We had lunch at the high point and no view of the mountain.  But we had a nice hike and turned out to be a pretty nice day!

My 88 year old friend, Bronka and Ted, starting the hike.

Beautiful bright green maple tree.

Ted hiking through the misty fog.

Bronka and me at the high point of the ridge.  Normally, there is a great view of

Mt. Rainier, but no view today!

Bronka by really huge cedar tree.