Summerland
Sep 04, 2008
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Summerland - Panhandle Gap
- Region: Mt. Rainier -- NE - Sunrise / White River
- Agency: Mount Rainier National Park
- Avg Rating: 3.64
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Summerland
- Region: Mt. Rainier -- NE - Sunrise / White River
- Agency: Mt. Rainier National Park
- Avg Rating: 4.21
I left the trailhead at 9am in a brisk 45 degrees, hurrying up the trail in part to keep warm before exiting into bright sun. Fall is starting to close its hand around Summerland, despite the name. Flowers are nearly gone and the berry bushes are starting to change a telltale red. Surprisingly, despite the color change, actual berries are few and far between.
As I ate my lunch near the small waterfalls a group of playful marmots posed and hammed it up for me on some nearby rocks. I watched them for far too long and took too many photos, then continued up towards Panhandle gap. Along the way I spotted a large herd of goats relaxing on the snowy flanks beyond the green glacial ponds. They were too far off for decent photos so I continued on, hoping to spot some more.
At Panhandle gap the view was phenomenal! Clear blue skies let me see far down into the Goat Rocks, to Mt. Adams, and even Hood on the horizon. Below in the meadows another herd of goats wandered. I scrambled up the ridge towards Pt7218 to get some better shots, cliffing out about 50 ft from the top on its shoulder. I could have dropped back down and around the fin-like obstruction but decided to just head back down and see if the goats were still around.
And they were! They whole herd had dropped back down to this side of the ponds very close to the trail. I sat down on a large rock and watched them munching the small plants. They were less acclimated to people than other goats I'd encountered, such as in the Enchantments, and wouldn't get close to me. I shot again far too many photos, many of which didn't turn out. White goats against dark backdrop on a very sunny day is tricky. By now they were attracting a crowd of hikers so I decided I'd better head down. I made good time and reached the car at 4pm. Great midweek hike!
Photos at: http://www.pbase.com/billcat/summerland/
|
Summerland view
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
