[ExI] seattle and mt. rainier

[Dan TheBookMan]

> On Behalf Of Dan TheBookMan via extropy-chat
On Apr 19, 2020, at 1:11 PM, spike jones via extropy-chat <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
>>…Also, on foot, friends have hiked completely around Rainier, which takes about a week to ten days..
>
> You sure do, if you consider me a friend: my bride and I did
> the Wonderland Trail in summer of 2004.  It was an epic adventure.

Sounds like it. I consider you and everyone here friends... I meant my local friends. :)

> There was one day on the west side trail when we saw more bears
> than we saw people.

I can believe that. Funny thing is, since I tend to hike in a group -- usually from four to twelve people -- this tends to mean we don't get to see many bears, especially up close. But last year was an exception. We were hiking in the North Cascades, IIRC, and came up one bear and then another. I also ran into a bear on the hike up to Burroughs (near Rainier). Well, it wasn't exactly on the trail. In both cases, these weren't trails way out in the wilderness. 

> We are trying to score permits to do the west side again this summer
> from Cougar Rock to Mowich Lake.  If we get permits, we will take the
> afore-mentioned friend and my son.

Near Mowich, I've done Tolmie Peak, which is small, easy to get too, and can be crowded. But great views of Rainier. And you can get away from the crowds there by hiking the ridge away from the station there. (It's just over 200 m prominence, so fairly easy and given what you've done so far nothing to hike up.) That was a few years back -- probably 2015. Time flies. Anyhow, see the photo. That's Eunice Lake, a rather small lake, from up on the peak.
 
>>…I have yet to hike Pinnacle, but the views are supposed to be
>> great from there. The sad thing is that would be a very popular
>> area — near Paradise… 
>
> We are talking about two different Pinnacle Peaks.  The one I meant
> is near Enumclaw.  The one near Paradise is stunning indeed.  We
> were up there last summer.  Ja it is crowded there at times.  Go
> during the week. 

If this virus thing blows over, I'll try to convince my mid-week hiking companions about that one. (Smaller group, though that works for me.) Also, have to check on the trail conditions. I generally for things to thaw out before hiking. I have gear for hiking in snow, but I prefer not to.

> Be ye very careful: lots of loose rock and ways
> to hurt yourself on that trail. 

Thanks!

>>…I’m not antisocial, but it’s nice in and to hike to an area where it’s
>> not crowded. I usually go with a group anyhow — typically a half
>> dozen people.
>
> Dan that trail, particularly the west side, is all about solitude.  That year
> we made the full loop, we had back-country permits which are damn
> hard to get (good thing they are.)  We were overlooking Golden Lakes
> from part way up the mountain when I took this picture looking east:

Nice view.

I'm thinking that if you're into that, have you done the Enchantments? There's limited passes there, but it's supposed to be spectacular. In fact, I've never heard anyone say it wasn't. :) I limit myself to day hikes and though the Enchantments can be a a day hike if you're fast and hike through, it's a bit too grueling for me to do that in a day. I know my limits. :)

> Thanks for mentioning that trail, for they are fond memories indeed.
> I do hope we get permits again soon, for we have few remaining
> years in which we will be strong enough to do that 4 day hike
> which is the west side.

Wishing you luck!

Dan

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