Decided to try the often busy Glacier Basin trail after Labor Day. The trail wasn't busy. Only passed 16 people on my way down. As noted, the trail is very wide so it's easy to pass even when you pass a hundred people on the way down. 

We are at that middle place right now where there are only a few flowers left and only a few of the plants are getting their fall colors. After a few freezes things will get very fall like. 

It was also just over 40 degrees when I started at 8:30 and was over 70 when I got to the car. 

Just a little over a month left before this area will close for the winter. 

Beautiful today for hiking to Glacier Basin from White River Campground picnic area/climbers parking lot.This is a wonderful hike for experiencing the changes from mid-level forest to sub-alpine forest to alpine landscape ending with awesome views of the mountain and the land carved by the glaciers and the White River.  Not many hikers today. Thimbleberries, salmonberries, gone now in the lowlands, and huckleberries are not yet ripe up here. Lots of little streams are flowing nicely, with Monkeyflowers blooming. A fresh breeze kept the bugs away.

The trail is dusty where in the open, but generally in good condition.  A few rooty areas halfway along, and some areas up along the meadows before Glacier Basin camp where hikers have skirted the steps, widening the trail and causing erosion.

I started out at White River campground at 0700 following the Glacier Basin Trail. I found the trail to Burroughs at about 2.5 miles in. Here the trail quickly gains elevation. I didn't come across another hiker until I was almost out of the trees. I arrived at Second Burroughs at about 0930 and ate a snack. I headed towards First Burroughs and then down towards Sunrise and then the trail back to the campground finishing at 1200. It was nice to do this hike in a loop. I'm not sure which direction would have been easier as both ways have steep sections. 

Trail crews have done a great job on this trail.  Nicely shaded with eyelash views along the way.  Lovely groupings of wildflowers along the “climber’s trail”beyond the maintained trail.  Spoke to a Meadow Watch volunteer collecting data.  Shout out to them for all their good work.

After a day of working on the Naches Loop trail it was time to hike up closer to Mt. Rainier and take my husband on a trail he's never been on before.

We started from Loop A of the White River campground and walked up the road to the start of the trail. We started our hike about 4:45 and there was a lot of parking in the day use parking area of White River Camp ground. 

The trail is in great condition no complaints about it at all. You will gain about 900 feet in a mile, but you don't notice it all that much. There are a total of two switch backs on the way up the the Emmons Moraine trail. Various water falls along the way.

We did not see many hikers heading back down the trail but then again it was about dinner time. We got to the turn off of the moraine trail and headed to the bridge. Once across the bridge the trail climbs steeply up the other bank to get on the ridge. We did not go very far on the Moraine trail, just far enough to enjoy Little Tahoma, Rainier was mostly hidden behind clouds. 

We enjoyed the view of the Emmons Glacier, it's ice caves and the various waterfalls above the glacier that feed into the White River. From our vantage point we could also see the beautiful bluish/green lake below. Not sure how, but we did see two people swimming in the lake.

On the way back down to the White River Campground we did pass a few families with small children. This is a wide trail and is perfect for families with lots to see along the way. 

Right now until the end of the month is hike-a-thon WTA's largest fundraiser that helps support the trail maintenance program. If you're not already a member of WTA I encourage you to become a member and support trails around the state (link to my fundraising page below)

Until next time- happy trails!

Elizabeth