High at Sunrise, Mount Rainier, Washington, 2013

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

In July of 2013, read that slowly, again, 2013, Man and I spent the 4th of July in Packwood, Washington, in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park.

One of our day trips was to drive to Sunshine, at the elevation of 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park.

This photo attempts to show how tall the trees were along this roadway:

We were climbing in altitude quite quickly, at one point, I recorded that we went up 1,428 feet in 8 minutes.  Later it would take us about 40 minutes to climb from 3620 feet to 6088 feet.  That included pull offs and photo ops stops.

I am in no way proud of or happy with this photo, but, it is the only one I have that captures the road, tall trees, stone walls and narrow roadway. It also captures reflections, lots of glare and the top of Jolly's windshield, as well as the very end of the hood.

THIS photo, however, I am delighted with:

Tall trees, Sony zoom, and a LONG water fall:

Mountain top:

Now, look closely, you will see 3 bikers, riding at about 4500 feet elevation.  Much of the roadway has little shoulders, some places NO shoulder.  I understand they have every right to the roadway, but, seriously, there is no way I would attempt this.  Even if I was in the physical shape it must take to undertake such a ride, which, I have not been in years. Honestly, these riders scare me, I worry that they will fall into Jolly's path.

Seriously, I could not take enough photos, but about 160 had to do for the day.  LOL

Sony, ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM

I believe this is Sunrise Lake, the tourquoise color is common near glaciers.  We will see that phenomenon again in Glacier National Park in a few weeks (remember, this is from 2013).

There was a wonderful stop with fantastic views.  Some people even sat there and enjoyed a picnic lunch.

See the narrow roadway.  See the mountains with clouds below the tops - - 

At the top/visitor's center, we grabbed our picnic lunch and walked to where the snow/glaciers were:

Picnic table told a story:

Boys and snow = snowballs:

In the visitor's center there was another one of these 3D type maps, which are huge, lookie all those glacier names:

Flower power, it is, after all, July:

One of our last stops of the day was at the campground.  Now, I know a bunch of you think I am brave for riding up and down mountains, looking down off the sharp drop offs, at tree tops, etc.  I am NOT brave enough to camp here:

One last glorious view, as we head back to camp for the day:

We had a wonderful day trip to Sunrise.

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Grove of the Patriarchs, Teal Blue Water and The Hike

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

In July of 2013 we were in the Mount Rainier Washington area.  Read that date, we are not there now.  Yes, I am that far behind in my travel posts.  I am sorry.  Life and fun got in the way.

Anywhoooooo, one afternoon we decided to visit the Grove of the Patriarchs and go for a hike.  The area allows you to visit Silver Falls and the Grove, both along the Ohanapecosh River.

The falls:

Man looks over the access bridge to the water flowing below.  It was a massive, stunning bridge:

After spending some time here enjoying we went back to the hiking path.

Look at the tree we had to walk under.  Look at the size of the tree to the right side of this photo.  

To get to the grove you must cross the suspension bridge.  

There goes Man, sure footed and moving along - - 

Seriously, look at the size of this fallen tree root system!  Gracious!

Peaceful, green, lush, quiet - - 

Now and then, I try something "different" with Sony.  Like panorama photos taken from ground to sky instead of left to right.  This couple sitting enjoying the peace, I had to try to capture the size, and the experience.  Of course, it is never even close, but, still, it's fun to try.

Look at the size of this downed tree by the hiking path/trail.

Before we cross the river once again, I stop to try to capture the teal blue of the water.

SIGHHHHH:

Fair play, Man gets to capture Carol crossing the suspension bridge.

Truly, it was lovely, the color of the clear water, the sound of water, the lovely Douglas Fir and western hemlocks, and western red cedars. 

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Mountain, Waterfalls, Flowers, Snow, It's Time to Visit Mount Rainier, Part 2

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Recently, I shared with you about 20 photos from Part 1,  of our visit one day wayyyyyyy back in 2013 to Mount Rainier.  Here are 20 more photos.  I took about 330 that day.  It's beautiful countryside.

Before we left the Paradise area, we went into the Visitor's Center where we found these topographical representations of the area.

And, lookie here, Stevens Canyon.

Of course, off we went, I mean, why go home the same way we came???

This is Reflections lake area.

Right along the road very near here I found these flowers.  I believe there were a "alpine" variety.  They were quite prolific, the ground was quite wet, so, I had a bit of a challenge to get a good photo, here are a couple:

Can we get enough of this beauty??  NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Believe this is Louise Lake:

We made a lot of stops along our drive.  Columbine:

More water falls at Sunbeam Creek, and a bit (sarcasm) of snow left over, remember, this visit was basically July 4th week.

Can't see the snow???  Cause it is all white??  Well, ZOOM:

Yep, Stevens Creek:

Looks like it was a bit forceful at one time, a bit of debris:

And the waterfall near by.

Beargrass:

Waterfalls, cross the canyon, many miles away, very hard to spot, but, ZOOM and we can at least see them:

You can start to see the "size" when we see Man standing at the side of the road beside a wall of rock and mountain:

More of that water fall (there were actually several in that area), this photo was not zoomed quite as much.  Point of interest, we are at about 3790 foot elevation.

We end the day with tunnels, at 12 foot 8 inches, we would not take Tana through here. She would not fit, she is, after all a big girl at over 13 foot tall.

One last water fall near Grove of the Patriarchs Trail, possibly Silver Falls.

We had a delightful day, we were tired, but, still refreshed.  Natural beauty, water, flowers and mountains can do that.

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