Summerland - Panhandle Gap — Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

Summerland and almost Panhandle Gap 9-1-08 Happy Labor day! Got up at 5 AM. I was going to do Naches Loop today but last minute decided on Summerland and I¡¦m so glad I did! What a glorious hike! I¡¦ve only been to Summerland once last year Oct 29th I believe last day Sunrise was open and it dumped snow on me and views were few and far between. I knew this place was going to be magical with a view of mountain and in the summer. Well, fall is definitely here. When I got to trailhead at 6:30 AM it was 38 degrees and I busted out the gloves. I only saw 1 other person going up this early and one going down. Views were spectacular! Flowers are 90% gone which was fine by me because as the bugs are gone with them. I was surprised to see an actual solar toilet and not just a trail at Summerland, it was very clean just needs a light and would be perfect. I¡¦ll see what they can do¡Kƒº Talked to several campers and they said it snowed this weekend a little bit. I explored the area and headed towards Panhandle Gap next. Views kept getting better around each corner with something new to see, waterfalls, small glacier lakes with wonderful green color and reflections, pikas, marmots, flowers I have not seen before, blue sky, even a deer on the way down the trail. I could have not asked for anything else today. Add this one to your list if you have not done it. It makes for a great snowshoe trip as well. Stats 10+ miles 7 hours 200+ pictures