The Perfect Day-Crystal Peak (Mt Rainier)

     There are two days that seem to stay with a hiker. The worst and the best. This was the best.  Getting going in the morning when my eyes are cloudy from sleep sand, and my ambition is held captive by a pile of covers takes special motivation. The motivation on this day came from the thought that sunny and clear days are now at a premium. It's November in the Pacific Northwest, need I say more. I got a late start after wresting the covers off, and getting my pack ready and loaded in the car. I intended to hike Summerland (Mt Rainier) one more time, but a road closed sign put a stop to that. So I turned around and drove back down Hwy 410 to parking lot with several cars in it. I had no idea if it was even a hiking trail, but was happily surprised to find a trail that went up a hill. Oh how I love a hill!! Up good, more up equals more good.
    The sign describing the hike said that it was 3 miles to Crytal lake, and 3.8 miles to Crytal Peak. Peak! Oh ya...that means up. The first 2 miles of the trail are in the dark forest, but the hill grade was around 10-12 percent and it was almost smooth. Like no rocks, roots or other things to trip over. At about 2 miles the trail is above tree line, and continues to the top...and what a view!! There was about 3-4 inches of snow the last two miles, but the trail was a decent grade and easy to follow. I did notice a couple of avalanche areas so this probably isn't a good winter hike.
   At the top, I stood alone for several minutes feeling the warm sunny rays on my face, listening to the absolute silence, and turned from north to south and then back north. I could see north to Mt Baker and Glacier Peak, and then south to  Mt Hood, Mt Adams, and Mt St Helens. I could see almost all the way to Canada, and then into Oregon while standing at the top of this immense peak. Then there's Mt Rainier...so big that I felt I could hit it with a rock. I'll return to this place many times...Here area some pics--- 

Nearly frozen river

Coming out of the trees

Rainier and the White River

Mt Adams, and Mt Hood about 1" to the right

Mt St Helens

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Mt Adams



Adams and Hood

Mt Baker

John Wayne Iron Horse Trail-11/2014

What the hell is RAGNAR?
   I began this railtrail hike at the Rattlesnake lake parking lot (south off Exit 32- I-90) and started walking eastbound towards Snoqualmie Pass. I wanted to walk some miles, and ended up walking about 11.5-12.0 miles, round trip.
   Soon after starting, a damn mountain biker scared the crap out of me (I have a mountain bike too), but would it be too much to ring ring ring a little bell?!! while travelling at mach 2 along the path. Anyway, not to be detered from a wonderful walk, I continued eastbound listening to the sounds of I-90, and watching as a beautiful hawk swooped down along the hill in front of me. Later, as I was powering through mile 3 or so, I noticed movement in the forest just to my left. A young buck was standing about 20 feet off the trail and casually turned towards me. I'm not sure if that area was open to hunting at that time, but the buck with a new rack (4 point? 2 on each side?) wasn't too concerned about humans. I continued east and came to RAGNAR.
   I'm guessing the RAGNAR sign (see pic) has something to do with a construction yard of some type that was utilized by the railroad back in the day. The clearing next to the sign has piles of old timbers, metal things, and gravel in it. It also had several large Elk prints. I believe they were Elk because of their size. I continued past RAGNAR, and at mile 5 or so I found the Exit 38 rock climbing area that is managed by Washington State parks. It looks like a challenging rock climb, and they have several routes with anchors already on the wall. Just past the rock climbing area are two large tresels. I walked over each of them, and then turned around and headed back. Half way back, the sky opened up and rain rain rain! Here are the pics--

18 miles to the Tunnel

2133 miles to Chicago?

Buck

Next to rock climbing area

Climbing rock (see anchors?)

Steep side trail

Sidet trail