Union Creek — Friday, Mar. 22, 2002

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

There is about 5 feet of snow at this time. After leaving the snowpark follow the road approx. 1/8 mile to the trailhead sign on the left which is mostly under the snow, but the top part of the sign is visible. The trail is pretty good to the first falls. After a short slight incline you drop down to the creek and cross a footbridge. After climbing the switchbacks you can take the trail down to the base of the first falls which goes off to the left and is pretty well marked by previous snowshoers. There is a gorgeous ice build up on the sides of the falls which illuminates a beautiful blue. Our goal was to get to the second falls about 2 miles ahead. There are large drifted in areas and some blown down trees which makes staying on the trail difficult. There is an area where a creek comes down and crosses the trail which leaves approx. a 2 foot opening to step across, or if you go up the hill just a bit there is a crossing. Needless to say we were unable to get to the second falls as it was pretty slow going and no previous trekkers had been there to ease our pain of trailbreaking. After about 2 hours going in, we turned back. If you have never been here in the winter it is truly a winter wonderland and well worth the work.