Eagle Peak Saddle — Sunday, May. 27, 2001

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise

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.