The Mountain - Mount Rainier

Sept 14/14  Weather 89 today,,, sun is hot.  Night 53.  Another beautiful day.

Mount Rainier

It seems just about anywhere in Washington you can see this enormous mountain which is the largest is the contiguous USA.  Years ago we saw it from the airport in Seattle while catching a connecting flight.  Mount Rainier is snow covered year round with the largest glacier coverage and 3 actual peaks over 14,000 feet. 

What we did not realize before driving through the National Park (west to east; Nisqually entrance to Stevens Canyon entrance)  and attending the Visitor Center;  is how active this volcano is.  It is has many small frequency earthquakes occurring on a daily basis due to hot liquids circulating inside the mountain!!  And it is a mecca of mountain climbers .  Alpine Guides will guide you on a 3 or 4 day trip to one of the peaks.

Mountain Climbing Guides building - Alpine influence architecture

Rustic atmosphere inside Paradise Inn

You could see the camp and climbers through the telescope, it just looked like a little white dot.  Wow!  Now that is adventure.  

There were so many motorcycles out on this ride and no wonder it is about 30 mph with great scenery and as Billy says the road is  ``like spaghetti noodles``  !

Stevens Canyon Road

Just before leaving the park you have to stop and take the mile and half hike through the Grove of the Patriarchs.  Trees up to 1,000 years old and 25 to 50 feet in circumference are living here.  Some of the biggest are the western red cedars and douglas firs.  Incredible giants.  It does feel sacred, many of these trees were on earth when the Normans conquered England in the 11th century. That`s something to ponder.

Billy dwarfed by the giants

Rosey looking way way up