While Heidi was officiating at a show last month, I took advantage at went hiking. I knew I wasn't going to take the dogs so I decided to hit Mt. Rainier NP. I found this website: Hike Info, and figured that with an early start, I could take my time and be just fine. That turned out to be optimistic - it was quite the ordeal. The 3000 ft climb at the 8 mile mark was a killer. Here are the highlights of my 17+ mile trek:
Mt. Rainier
This is Mother Mountain, and the hike is basically a loop around this ridge.
This is the Carbon River. This area of Rainier gets the most rain (it shows) and there is plenty of evidence of the unusually large flooding of 2006. My trail had been washed away, so I had to cross the river, hike up a mile, and cross back on the suspension bridge below.
Heights usually don't bother me, but heights combined with a shaky bridge with broken and missing slats does not instill confidence. It was very 'Temple of Doom'. Have a look at the second board of the walkway. The bridge was 30 to 40 feet above the river bed and probably 50 yards long.
The last stop on the trail was Spray falls. It's a 300 foot drop from the top. 
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3 comments:
Dave-
What a great hike! I have done this particular one many times myself (we live near that area), and I must admit that the bridge gets to me everytime...lol!!! I have to cross the bridge all by myself, because I freak out if it starts moving to much!
We used to take the kidlets with us, but due to all of the recent winter flooding up there, we haven't. It is easier to stick to non-washed out trails with them.
This is my favorite post you have done so far, Dave. Good narration!
Thanks. Let me know the next time you're in town so we can get together.
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