Our Mount Rainier book rates trails from 1 to 5 hikers – one being a “hike worth taking, even with your in-laws” and five being one that the “aesthetic and physical rewards are so great that hikes given this rating are forbidden by most conservative religions.” DUH! We pick the 5-hiker trails; and are never disappointed.
This particular 5-hiker trail included a warning about a stretch of trail that crosses a steep, extremely hazardous snowfield that shouldn’t be crossed without an ice ax or other means to self-arrest because “a tiny slip here can be- and has been- deadly.” Hmmm. Second thoughts about the 5-hiker trail.
So we stopped at the Ranger Station to inquire. Not only did the ranger ease our fears by reporting that the snow was mostly gone, but he told us about an unmarked, unofficial, steep trail extension to the hike which he said, “has the best views of all.” Super! Let’s go!
So here it is: Definitely the best day of hiking this summer!
On our way back to the RV Park, we stopped to walk through the Grove of the Patriarchs featuring the oldest trees in Mount Rainier National Park (some are over 1,000 years old!).
