Glacier Basin, Inter Glacier

Arriving at the White River campground (4200') at 7am found the climbers parking lot virtually empty giving notice summer is just about over. The lower part of the trail up to Glacier Basin that was seriously damaged from the past floods is well marked with yellow tape. Just need to keep your eyes open. The cloudless sky was full of the morning sun shadows providing sharp beautiful view of the top of Rainier. I arrived at Glacier Basin (5970') at about 8:30am and found only a few campers with plenty of open campsites. The bugs were super light due to the cool nights.

The rest of the way up to the bottom of Inter Glacier was dry and hot in the open until I got right above the Wedge at about 6300' when the cold air coming off the glacier started picking up to add a light refreshing breeze.

On approach the glacier was icy, dirty with vertical cuts where the water was cutting down into the glacier. Although I was watching and listening for rockfall I didn't see anything until I got to the bottom of the glacier (7158') when I started hearing golf ball and baseball size rocks zinging and landing around me. Looking up I could see every couple of minutes rocks quietly bouncing down the face, including the center. Without a helmet I beat a hasty retreat out of the dodgeball alley. Camp Schurman would have to wait until things cooled down and or they get some snow.

The hike back down the trail found more folks coming up the trail but nothing like it had been three weeks prior. Go early and enjoy the solitude, views of mother nature at work, struggling wild flowers and a few signs of fall coming.