Narada Falls, Mt. Rainier, Washington

[meccahi]

I absolutely promise that I am not letting this journal languish... I've been so overwhelmingly busy between working ( yes..while on "vacation"), and traveling, and seeing friends..  and making spectacularly random and probably ill-advised plans that will most likely end in fabulous ruin.. that it's been a struggle to find time to write everything down.

I WILL say..that my hike to Mt. Rainier did not go quite according to plan. Apparently no one remembered to tell Rainier that it's the end of June and to get with the frikken program.   Ahem.  

My trail that I usually take... that I was going to veer off of to go see Reflections Lake?  Yeah.  I should have brought skis and snow shoes. No joke.

My trail was BURIED under approximately 15 feet of snow ( and no..that is not an exaggeration). 15 feet.  I was standing at the tops of trees.  There were people tobogganing.

IT'S JUNE!

Bah.

My trail IS at the higher altitude of the mountain..and I DO see snow there... but it's more towards the very top of the mountain.. and not even close to being this deep.  I got to slide down a snow run..which I've never done before.

Either way...I headed back down to lower altitudes ( which..there was STILL SNOW).. and slip slide around on a partial trail down to Narada Falls ( trail was also...still covered in snow). And I grabbed this shot..

Comments

[encephalin.livejournal.com]

There is STILL SNOW at Narada Falls? Hmmm... I think I am going to have to push my trip further back into the year - still haven't been to Rainier at the height of wildflower season yet!

[meccahi.livejournal.com]

I usually go during July-ish.. and it's normally gorgeous.. so I was reaaaallllyy not expecting snow. Especially that much. We're talking ALL of the Paradise trail buried with happy skiers zipping down the slopes. Insanity.

[captain-snarky.livejournal.com]

Holy crap that's gorgeous.
I may have to add Washington to my list of places I have to go before I get too decrepit.

[meccahi.livejournal.com]

All of the Pacific Northwest should be seen. Seriously. It's the most beautiful place that I have ever been to, ever. Washington, Oregon, and Northern Cali are worthy of weeks of exploration..