After a disappointing September, October finally brought the promise of sunny weather. So Jim and I took Friday off from work to take advantage of it. We planned to stay the night at Glacier Basin Camp and do day trips from there. The ranger confirmed reports of an aggressive bear in the area, but felt that the bear problems had been due to climbers leaving things unattended in the camp; with a bear canister we should have no problem. We knew much of the trail had been rebuilt after the 2006 storm damage, but what a rebuild! Much of the first mile of the trail has been rebuilt into a veritable hiking freeway; it is wide and nicely graded, with fantastic structure and drainage. At about one mile (shortly after the junction with the Emmons Moraine Trail), the Glacier Basin trail is still under construction. A temporary route is flagged to bypass the construction area. It passes through brief rough and rocky stretches before merging into the original trail. The remainder of the trail to Glacier Basin Camp was in good condition. The White River is the nearest water source to the camp, at a moderate walk away. Like any glacier-fed stream, it contains rock flour, and looks like a probable filter clogger. We opted to carry our water bottles and filters with us on a day hike, to fill them from snowmelt. After setting up the tent and securing our bear canister, we hiked up the upper basin to about 6500'. It had been more than two weeks since my previous hike, and I was definitely feeling the altitude. We were both stopping frequently to catch our breath. In the upper basin, there was a snowmelt stream and some springs emanating from the hillside. The Inter Glacier was already in the shadows. In fact, the sun went down behind Mt. Rainier at 4:00 p.m. We soaked in the views then filled our water bottles and returned to camp. It got cold in a hurry, until we got back in sunlight. On the way down, we watched a herd of nine mountain goats wandering beside the White River. In the morning, we set out across the river to explore some trails visible on the opposite side. We crossed the river at the first opportunity past the camp, and were pleased to pick up a trail across the river that continued on the opposite side. This trail led past numerous mining relics at a stream, then beyond to another snowmelt stream. I decided to explore further. The trail at this point became a steep scramble up loose gravel and rocks, a typical climber's trail. With the cloudless blue skies beckoning me to continue, I quickly ascended the loose slope to where Little Tahoma and the summit of Mt. Rainier came into view. A short bit higher, I crested the ridge to utterly spectacular views - the entire Emmons glacial valley, and unobstructed views from Panhandle Gap, past the Fryingpan Glacier and Little Tahoma to the summit of Rainier. I surmised that I was on the Mt. Ruth climbing route. From camp, it had taken me just over an hour to reach the ridge, slightly above 6700'. I highly recommend the side trip, if you are an experienced scrambler. I think it would have taken me a lot longer though, if I hadn't acclimatized to the altitude by spending the night.

So one of my goals this year was to complete 10 backpack trips, this was #10 and I was stoked! Here's my list: Ipsut, Ancient Lakes, Graves Creek to Oneil, Carbon Glacier, Crystal Lakes, Shriner Peak, Upper Palisades Lake, Berkeley Park, Summerland, & Glacier Basin. I pretty much completed the Sunrise circuit, at least the ones I really wanted to do, next year I will hit the Paradise side. I got my permit and headed up the trail the ranger told me to check out the Emmon Moraine trail on the way, I did and it was SO worth the little side trip. Trail is rough in one spot seems to have some slide issues already or maybe it's just not completed. One of my favorite things was the green tarn that I got super close to, I always see this from Shadow Lake area and want to get closer, this is how. I was so excited I dropped my fricking camera taking it out of the case, I hope it lasts me another year. Back to Glacier Basin trail it was well done and everyone on this project needs a huge thanks! I actually saw a small crew and thanked them for their hard work. They would be the only 3 people I would see all day and night. I arrived at camp and had my choice of all the spots, after much deliberation I choose spot #1. I explored up the wedge I think that's what it's called, saw 1 solo marmot a few frogs around the pond that's about it for wildlife, I was bummed no bears for me this year, up close anyway. Today wasn't spectacular sunrise by any means but what I did get was some great reflection shots in the pond. I'm on hike 80 I believe, if my counts are accurate and 10 overnights completed September isn't over yet. P.S. The mice are still in the area, they didn't get a meal from me this time but did leave some poo in my car again, but no comfy fleece for them to curl up in or any food, so it was a very small mess this time. I also talked to a guy that slept in his car and said he heard them all night. White River area is infected be aware. Lots of pics on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/25538843@N02/sets/72157625014115244/

Long flat hike into Monte Cristo. A mountain bike is a great idea. Crossed the river on a big log. Lots of damage from winter storms. Headed towards Glacier Basin (when we actually thought about Gothic Basin) on a steep, brushy, and narrow trail. Turned around when I encountered the big, wet, and slippery boulder that required a rope to climb up. The Huz said it was even more slippery above. This was my first summer hitting the trails hard after three years of little hiking due to bilateral knee injuries. No need to be injured again.

I was away from the Pacific Northwest for two months so I wanted my first hike of the summer to be something different. I’ve never been to Glacier Basin and saw the WTA's Hike of the Week so I thought why not? Arrived at the parking lot near the trailhead around 1100 am . As described, it is located at the end of the White River Campground It was overflowing so I had to park on the shoulder of the road about 50 yards down. No big deal. That is to be expected on a weekend when you arrived late. As described, the first mile has been rerouted and is in beautiful condition, nice and wide, but a bit dusty. Great job WTA work crews! About 1.3 miles in, encountered a bit of a scramble crossing over a creek area with lots of rocks. It is wanded and fairly easy to follow. Some flowers are starting to come out but we are probably still a couple of weeks away before they all come out. The bugs however, were out in full force until you reach Glacier Basin Camp, then magically they are all gone. Lots of warnings about bears in the area. Evidently, there is one particular bear that is aggressive. Lots of warnings from hikers returning but no sighting of bears for me. Hiked up about a mile past the official end of the trail to a snowfield near the origins of the Interfork river. Beautiful day to spend with the family.

I was away from the Pacific Northwest for two months so I wanted my first hike of the summer to be something different. I’ve never been to Glacier Basin and saw the WTA's Hike of the Week so I thought why not? Arrived at the parking lot near the trailhead around 1100 am . As described, it is located at the end of the White River Campground It was overflowing so I had to park on the shoulder of the road about 50 yards down. No big deal. That is to be expected on a weekend when you arrived late. As described, the first mile has been rerouted and is in beautiful condition, nice and wide, but a bit dusty. Great job WTA work crews! About 1.3 miles in, encountered a bit of a scramble crossing over a creek area with lots of rocks. It is wanded and fairly easy to follow. Some flowers are starting to come out but we are probably still a couple of weeks away before they all come out. The bugs however, were out in full force until you reach Glacier Basin Camp, then magically they are all gone. Lots of warnings about bears in the area. Evidently, there is one particular bear that is aggressive. Lots of warnings from hikers returning but no sighting of bears for me. Hiked up about a mile past the official end of the trail to a snowfield near the origins of the Interfork river. Beautiful day to spend with the family.