One of my two companions, who had been up to the saddle before, was predicting clearing weather for the top. The hike was a nice steady uphill workout through the forest from 2700 feet, up to the high angle meadow at 5000 feet. Checking out the various little waterfalls on the way was a treat. Then areas of snow on the trail became significant. The exception was the last few switchbacks up to the 5700-foot saddle. We had one nice sun break at 5000 feet, and only a spotty sprinklings of rain for the entire way up. At the saddle, and by the time we were halfway through lunch, the wind and snow were blowing hard and cold enough to force us on our way down early and still hungry, not to mention that no views were to be had. Several hundred feet below and out of the wind, we warmed up quite bit. The snow continued to fall and turned to rain as we continued down. Our umbrellas served us well. The three-bean chili, vegie burger and hot chocolate and ice cream sunday at the Longmire Inn hit the spot. All in all a very nice invigorating hike for us, even though the most sunshine we saw that day was just as we were passing through the park entrance on the way out.

Olympia Mountaineers' Conditioner ""Climb"" We were trying Wahpenayo Peak, but didn't get anywhere close. The weather was cold and unsettled with snow showers. We left the parking lot at about 8:45AM. There is some blow down in the first half mile or so, but easily gotten around. Snow on the trail pretty solid from about 3500' elev. We stayed on the trail until we reached 4800' just below the meadow. (I missed the turn off up the drainage.) At that point we put on snowshoes, a necessity, dropped down into the trees and traversed cross-country. After few mis-cues in the woods we arrived at the base of the clearing below the Chutla - Wahpenayo saddle, elev. 5100'+. It was snowing hard at this time and cold. The slope disappeared up into the clouds. I've been up there before and know how steep it is. So we stopped and dug a snow pit. There was about a foot of fluffy new powder on top of an icy layer. There was a lot of avalanche debris below the saddle, both old and a little new. It was obvious the slope had not unloaded, avalanche city! So discretion being the better part of valor, we came home to live to climb another day. We kept our snowshoes on and followed the drainage back down to intersect the trail at 4400'. Four hours up, two down. Six hour round trip, an adequate work out!

foiled again in my efforts to go snowshoeing. but what a fantastic day! the snowshoeing book says ""in low snow years may not need snowshoes first half mile."" i don't think i even saw snow the first half mile and the snow that you eventually do get to is so little and packed down so well that there never was even the opportunity for snowshoeing. the only part that was at all tricky were a few very icy patches on the trail before hitting the consistent snow higher up. on the way down in spite of my awareness of the ice, i fell hard on my butt twice. once was accompanied by the laughter of a couple who were lying down under a tree making out or something. it was that kind of a summer day to go lie down in the bushes! the only point of possible confusion is when you hit the first open clearing (about 3 miles in), go straight up the steep hill to the left. once above this level the views of St. Helens, Adams, even Hood were fabulous. and of course the views from the saddle of rainier and the rest of the tatoosh range. my snowshoes never left my back and my ice axe did only on the way down for extra safety although i think it would be fine without one and others didn't have one. feels like june to me.

The parking lot at Longmire was almost full when we got there on this sunny Sunday around noon. However very few people headed to Eagle Peak. We started around 12:15pm. The trail was hot and somewhat steep. We actually met a group of three who didn't bring water. That would be trouble. However, mosquitoes bothered me more than anything else. After a long way in the forest, we reached alpine meadows and some really beautiful flower fields. The view got better from here, including south to ghost like Mt. St. Helens (in the haze) and awesome Mt. Adams. We reached the saddle at the end of the trail around 2:15pm, with great views to the south side of Mt. Rainier. I was told that it's possible to scramble to the top of Eagle Peak, but it looked pretty hard there. After lunch and chatting with other hikers, we left around 3:20pm and finished around 5pm. My mosquito bites were pretty bad, so definitely need stronger bug repellent next time.

There are still 2 snow patches that could pose hazards to those unfamiliar with the trail or with the use of map and compass. Otherwise...it's melting fast. Bridges are all in place. With the sunny weekend coming, it may be ready quite soon. 20% snow, snowfree to 4,000'