Grand Park
Nov 30, 2008
by
john deer
—
last modified
Dec 01, 2008 10:17 AM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Grand Park
- Region: Mt. Rainier -- NE - Sunrise / White River
- Agency: Mount Rainier National Park
- Avg Rating: 4.14
The title indicates that this trip is via White River but that is not possible at this time of year. Our access point was via FS 73 off of Hwy 410. We had to drive 10 rough miles up that road to an unofficial trailhead at the crossing of Ellinor Creek. The road to Huckleberry Creek is just potholed but be aware of slide possibilities past that point and at least one spot where the road bed is disintegrating. The park boundary is just east of the crossing of Ellinor Ck(where we parked) and the trail led up to Lake Ellinor in about .7 miles. The lake was mostly frozen but there was very little snow. We continued from there through great woods and streams to a lower meadow. Then there was some uphill to get to the entrance to Grand Park. We wandered all the way to the south end of Grand Park to the point where the trail intersects the Northern Loop trail and a little further to where the trail begins to descend to Cold Basin. The good and bad news is that there was very little snow. That made travel easy but was discouraging for the outlook for the ski/snowshoe season. The weather was incredibly mild with high overcast. Mt Rainier looked rather foreboding with a very cold, white appearance. As we were walking through the park, I verbalized some thoughts about an old movie and the possibility of running naked through the meadow. Apparently, one of the other people with me, who shall remain anonymous, actually did that several years ago with photos taken to document the fete. Apparently none of those photos have been posted to the internet, yet. On our return trip, we ventured far off trail to the eastern edge of the park in search of elk. We saw plenty of droppings, debarked trees with antler marks, and trimmed grass from critter munching but no elk. It was not until our return to the car and almost reaching Hwy 410 that 3 female elk decided to appear right at dusk. This was one of the best trips this year!!
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
Pics and miles?
Nice report!