Palisades, Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Saturday, May. 18, 2002

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

My criteria for this hike were 1) Big, old trees to quiet my craziness, 2) Solitude, 3) A good view of the world around me, 4) A good workout to clean the poison out of me, and 5) Sunshine. I got 1-4. #5 was replaced by overcast, then low clouds, mist,rain,fog, a shaft of sunlight in the distance, more rain. Oh well. It was a great trip. I started out parking on Hwy 410 at the west trailhead. After about 30 steps I ran into a lovely ancient fir tree. I knew I was in the right place. The trail sneaks upward, through the rocky defences of the Pallisades, passing many more wise old trees, mossy rock formations, and a couple nice waterfalls. Then comes the stairway. What a nice touch. After about 1.5 mi I was at the top walking along the cliff tops. I stopped at the first viewpoint and soaked in the view across to Suntop. Another 1/2 hour brought me to another fine viewpoint, with clouds lowering enclosing me in a misty bubble. Crossed Snoquera creek and the adventure began. I looked upward thru the mist and saw snow up on the clearcut areas. I knew the trail was up on top of the ridge ( from previous summer hikes) so I slapped on the snowshoes and made a beeline up the clearcut to the ridge. There was 1-2 feet of snow thru here. At the top I found a few pieces of flagging to confirm that I was on the trail. I followed the ridge (elev 5200') to the cabin at the junction with the Ranger Creek trail. There was hard frozen snow all the way, so I kept the 'shoes on, not knowing what I would face going down Ranger Creek. It was trouble right from the start. 10' from the shelter I had lost the trail, so I blazed down along the creek hoping to get below snow level and find the trail. With map, compass, and altimeter I was able to find it after 1 1/2 hours of some pretty serious scrambling. I set a compass course that I thought should intercept the trail after clambering up and down several very steep ridges. I could not see any likely trail route. I found pieces of an ancient trail, pieces of a deer trail, and then joy of joys. I found the trail at about 3400'. The walking was so easy, I didn't have a care in the world. Got to the junction with the trail along Hwy 410 and saw my first human of the day. I wandered along the trail, past Camp Sheppard to my trusy Jeep. All in all a fine adventure.