A Fine Day at Mount Rainier National Park, Skyscraper Mountain, 7.6.14
I could spend several lifetimes at Mount Rainier and still not see all this great park has to offer. For the uninitiated, it is so much more than a park with big mountain. First of all, it is a VERY BIG mountain and presents an incredible array of views from every angle. But aside from the mountain itself, what surrounds Mount Rainier within the borders of the park is equally enthralling and beautiful. There are tons of lakes, mountains, moraines, meadows, creeks and the whole place is crawling with whistling marmots, pikas, herds of mountain goats, bears and elk roaming amid a riot of color from flowers of every shape and size. The park has something for everyone.
This morning Neighbor Greg, Neighbor Tony and I left Lake Stevens at 6AM and arrived at the Sunrise parking lot at 8:30AM. Even from the parking lot the views are jaw-dropping.
Tony and Greg at the trailhead
As you can see from this picture, the views from the parking lot are awesome! Two years ago Greg and I climbed Banshee Peak which is the one just to the right of center above the Sarvant Glacier.
One of the great features of the park is The Wonderland Trail, a ninety-three mile trail that circumnavigates the entire mountain. This morning our plan was to get onto the Wonderland Trail and hike several miles to Skyscraper Pass and then scramble up Skyscraper Mountain just above the pass. First we passed Frozen Lake which was already thawing.
Frozen Lake
As the trail continued we got ever growing views of Rainier. We passed by the trail cutoff to the Burroughs and the Fremont Lookout and continued across fairly large snow fields that partially covered the trail. There were many dry areas of trail as well so it was still easy to find our way. After dropping a bit we had to climb back up out of a meadowy area to gain Skyscraper Pass.
Along the Wonderland Trail
Mt. Rainier towering over Burroughs Mountain
The route to Skyscraper Pass. Skyscraper Mountain is on the right and the pass is just to the left of the mountain.
Climbing toward Skyscraper Pass, Little Tahoma came into view
Skyscraper Mountain from the pass
We made quick work of the final slopes and when we got to the top the views were stupendous all around us.
The Mountain from the summit of Skyscraper Mountain
Of course Mount Rainier dominated the scene. We were positioned on the north side of Rainier so we were facing the incredible Willis Wall. This is the steepest side of the mountain and the gigantic ice cap can easily be seen. Through the binoculars we could also see climbers returning from the summit to Camp Schurman on the Emmons Glacier.
The Willis Wall
Another really cool view was to the north beyond Berkeley Park to Grand Park. Grand Park is a giant two mile long meadow sitting on a plateau.
Grand Park
As we were sitting on our summit admiring all the views, Tony looked straight down below us and spotted a herd of about fifteen mountain goats hanging out. They are always cool to see.
Baaa!
Returning from Skyscraper Pass
All in all we had a stellar day and as I've said before, if you've never been to Mount Rainier you should start making plans. It's a great park!