I was pretty sure nothing was going to top our first day on this trip, but then we hit Mt. Rainier. This is something I remember seeing with my grandparents when I was around the girls' ages so I was excited to show them. We didn't do any of the hiking with my grandparents so getting to experience that with my girls was extra special. We had seen Mt. Rainier from the plane and as it popped up in several places when we drove, including Tacoma. But driving up it and getting so close was another experience entirely. We had to arrive early because I knew it would get crowded with lines backed up out of the park.
On our first day at this national park, we took us to Paradise. It was easy to zip right in with no lines and we managed to snag a parking spot in the lodge parking lot. The Skylike Trail is one of the most popular and also one of the trails marked as hard on our trip. Fortunately, the legs had recovered by the time we did this 6 mile loop with 1,700 feet of elevation gain. Right out of the gate, you are climbing up wooden stairs and paths. But we were rewarded with a bear sighting not but a few minutes into our trek. This park has only black bears but they come in three colors: black, cinnamon and blonde. This little guy (or girl) was busy in the meadow as we stared on. Paige could hardly contain herself.
We continued up the way and quickly found a marmot sunning itself beside the trail on a rock, not but two feet away. It just say there and moved it's head so we could get the good side for our pictures. I sweat these animals were staged! It didn't take long for Paige to declare this the best day of her life. We saw chipmunks, ground squirrels and birds of all kind.
As we climbed higher, we kept seeing beautiful views of Mt. Rainier and its glaciers. The meadows were bursting with wildflowers and it looked like something you could only find in a painting. We finally reached the summit for gorgeous views of mountains all around. The trail was busier than North Cascades and we could actually see the train of people starting way down below. My plan worked and we were there early enough to enjoy it without throngs of visitors. I was also unimpressed by many who passed us and were not prepared for the hike. Flipflops were not going to cut it.
We continued down the mountain and happened upon mountain goats as well as a grouse with her chicks. The animals had won Paige over and it was her favorite hike of all time. We finished with a gorgeous view of Myrtle Falls and felt accomplished after our other long hike.
The next stop was supposed to be an easier trail, but ended up being one of the most challenging for all of us. I took the family to see Snowy Lake which had some really steep and long inclines on this 2.3 mile out and back trail before reaching a crystal blue lake. Even Patrick and the girls were huffing and puffing this time. But the lake had a place for wading and me and the girls dipped our feet in the freezing water. The temps had finally climbed into the upper 70s and even 80s so we thought it was pretty refreshing.
We made our way back to the car and then drove to Packwood which is on the outside of the park. Accommodations, besides camping, are slim and this little town positioned us perfectly for the next day. Patrick found a great VRBO room and we stumbled upon the Packwood Brewery for dinner. It served the best tacos and nachos which hit perfect after a long day of hiking. Plus right next door was the ice cream camper! What more could you ask for?!
We got settled in and then I asked if we wanted to catch a sunrise the next morning to which the answer was yes. That meant another 3am alarm, but at least we were on east coast time in our bodies!
