**this trip report is presented as the seventh part of a serial story; trail conditions and the like will be included in the story, as it is a trip report, after all**
The Unicorn and Hypogryff families continued their adventure at Mount Rainier by exploring the Grove of the Patriarchs. They started their hike from Silver Falls, finding a few huckleberries on the trail. Watermelon Unicorn, 4, and Dinosaur Hypogryff, 2, enjoyed munching on those while they meandered slowing through the shade.
Past the Stevens Canyon road, a nice place to refill water bottles and use the bathroom, the trail is busier, with many people who have come for a short day hike stroll.
Lemon Unicorn, 9, enjoyed that the trail was mostly flat. Mommy Unicorn couldn't get her to stop long enough to read the interpretive signs that tells a lot of interesting information about the plants and location. She and Buckbeak Hypogryff, 8, ran ahead to the suspension bridge. It's long, and wobbly, so Watermelon had to go with Mommy Unicorn, but once the initial fear was over, it was fun.
All the kids played in the river. It was clear, and cold, with some areas of shallow entry, so that Watermelon and Dinosaur could enjoy getting their legs wet. Lemon and Buckbeak enjoyed playing in the faster water - at least waist deep - but had to be aware of the swift current that could sweep away someone into rocks if they weren't careful.
The families strolled through the loop of large, old-growth trees. They convinced other people to help them find out how many people it took to circle one of the large trees - 14, if they all stood (as one should) on the platforms.
Lemon Unicorn would definitely recommend this hike to other families.
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