Tuesday 10/12/2021
I consider it a rare day to see a high summit clear of clouds. Being an avid hiker, I have seen so often clear skies in the valleys and clouds which appear to cling to summits, obscuring the view that we seek. The high summits of the mountain range cause in interruption of the upper level winds, which creates compression and acceleration of the winds. These pressure changes affect the moisture and create clouds around the high peaks. Today, the skies are promising, a good day to get out on a hike and hope for some nice views. I spent time reviewing the park trail maps, and my digital hiking maps and satellite views to find a hike that would provide an alpine experience away from the crowds with potential for views.
The cover photo is a view of Pinnacle Peak on the left, a really great hike 🙂 The Pinnacle Peak Trail starts at the Reflection Lakes viewing area. The trail signs are so small most visitors do not see them. A few boot tracks are in the fresh snow ahead of us. With hiking poles in hand, we ascend into the trees. The traction in the snow is good, spiked poles provide some security from slipping on the downhill. Scattered views come and go, and the view to Mt. Rainier is remarkably clear 🙂
The trail passes by a side sloping scree field, and patches of trees before breaking into open snowy alpine fields. Trails in western US have much more moderate slopes that those in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, there are many switch-backs. This trail is considered (minimally) strenuous and steep by the park service. It would be designated as an easy-moderate hike in the White Mountains. In the alpine region, the side slopes are a bit vertigo inducing, I have learned to focus on the trail and don’t be distracted by the steep downhill, even in snow and ice. At the high point of the trail, a sign indicates this is the end of the maintained trail. This is a great place for a break to take in the views to the south, east and west. Mount Adams is a high summit in view, Mt. Hood at a distance and Mt. St. Helens with a short walk.
The hike down is a bit slow to avoid slipping. The experience and weather conditions were great.
Pack lunch was in the warm car at the Paradise Visitors Center which has been closed for Covid for 1.5 years and counting. It is Tuesday following Indigenous Peoples Day, the crowds from the weekend are pleasantly not here. There remains some of the autumn color in the ground shrubs, which improves the photos on this gray sky day. The gray sky is making almost all of today’s photos monotone, black and white images. The atmosphere is clear enough to get some crisp shots, but most images are black and white. I hiked up the Skyline, Alta Vista, Glacier Vista Trails. The alpine gardens and views at Paradise are spectacular! A great compliment to the Pinnacle hike this morning.
Engraved in the granite steps while entering the Paradise trails. “The most luxuriant and most extravagantly beautiful of all of the alpine gardens I ever beheld in my mountain top wanderings”, John Muir, conservationist, 1889.
On the drive down, Linda snapped photo’s of this 4 point buck.
Retired and Loving It 