June 23, 2016

Tuesday Trekkers adventures

2016-06-05 Marmot Pass and Glacier Basin, Mt. Rainier N. P.

Wow!  What a hike we had yesterday.  Eleven of us headed to the Olympic Peninsula to hike to Marmot Pass, near Quilcene.  We had light rain as we drove from Kingston to Quilcene but by the time we got to the trailhead, the rain had stopped.

We hiked 11.2 miles with an elevation gain of almost 3600 feet.  Seems like a lot but with all the distractions – flowers, wildlife, conversations – it did not seem so daunting.

The trail is a steady upward traverse along the Big Quilcene River then does a few switchbacks, goes across some rocky slopes and comes to a plateau at Mystery Camp.  We took advantage of a nice big log to sit and have our lunch before continuing up to the Pass.

In the alpine meadow, we came upon a family of mountain goats just 20 feet off the trail.  They did not seem to mind us as they were busy nibbling.  Seeing these beautiful creatures was definitely a high point for us.  On the way down from the Pass, we were being watched by a large marmot atop a rock.  Some of us also saw a beautiful young buck at Mystery Camp.

We had wildflowers the entire way, starting with forest flowers then progressing to sub-alpine and alpine flowers.  What a treat!  It was especially nice to see our beloved Washington State flower – the rhododendrons, in bloom.

We said ‘au revoir’, not ‘good-bye’, to Ivona and Tom who will be returning to South Africa soon.  At least we are sending them off with some good hiking memories and hope they will one day join us again.

Thanks to Sandy for leading & planning the hike, to Barbara who organized carpools and to our three drivers – Sandy, Ronda and Alice.

 

Kathleen Nelson put together another hike for those wanting to stay on this side of the Sound.

..and on the other side of Puget Sound, more boots kissing the trail.  Ten of us explored Glacier Basin in Mt. Rainier N.P. on a sunny lovely cool day.  Nice trail, wonderful company, many more views along the way than I expected, and a lovely basin up at the top, which serves as a basecamp for climbers heading to Camp Sherman.  Up on top we saw no mammals, but we disturbed a raven who then perched up on the tallest nearby tree, and listened with admiration to Barbara Holmes and me recite Edgar Allen Poe’s raven poem, “While I nodded nearly napping, suddenly there came a-tapping……”

The snow on the last half mile of trail was challenging; it was enjoyed much more by handfuls of young hikers and climbers we encountered who were not thinking about knees and hips as they slid happily down the steep parts.  Early flowers were out.  Some remnants of last century’s mining near the trail.  A great Medium-sized hike, six and a half or seven miles, 1600′.  A wonderful day.

 

Kate