Vagabond Tales- Dizzying Heights at Mount Rainier

September 2, 2022 Ashford, Washington Mount Haven Resort Campground site 9

We feel blessed to have seen Mount Rainier yesterday driving in and today, up close and personal. They say many people come to see her several times before they ever see her, due to the mountain making its own weather system and clothing herself in fog.

Out of the 10,000 who try to climb Mt. Rainier annually, only 5,000 make it to the top. She stands proud as the 12th highest mountain in the world, measuring in at 14, 410 feet. She is an active volcano and is adorned with approximately 26 glaciers.
We headed up to Paradise, had lunch and took a trail!
Our lunch with a view. Found some shade beside the building and sat on the ground to eat. There were crowds today being as it was the start of our Labor Day weekend! This spot was a respite from the craziness!
I think John Muir would have been an interesting person to have as a friend.
The Nisqually Vista was our trail and these “Later Purple Aster” covered the meadows. Pretty impressive. This hike was not even 2 miles but I struggled. We think our hiking altitude was only around 6,500 feet but whether it was not having enough breakfast, or hydrating enough ( I doubt this because, if you know me I am always drinking water.),or the altitude or the fact I wore to many clothes for the heat of today …I was a mess the last part of this hike. I was dizzy, short of breath and my shoulders were achy. Harry was a good encourager but boy oh boy…I do not want to feel that again, if I can help it.
Before the sickness took hold.
These are the mountains to our back as we were viewing Mt. Rainier.
Marty Silver, a local ranger/naturalist for Warrior’s Path state park back home in TN and a friend throughout my teaching years, would have said this creek was very healthy, as it was host to wildlife. can you see Mr. Frog in the larger picture? He’s there!
My turn to be a troll!
Fireweed…identified by Dan and Karol Lynn Johnson!.
Still feeling OK here.
Here is our first contest winner…Graycen Dorr
sporting her Oregon winter beanie! She got it in the mail today! Congratulations, Graycen!
Finn is barely talking to me tonight! I had to work on his coat and paws forever. Great globs of pine sap had stuck his pads on his paws together. Thankfully, we had heard the tip about getting pine sap off of your truck in the last campground. Just put hand sanitizer on it…let it sit and it should come off easily. In Finn’s case, poor baby, I had to pull out the scissors.
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4 thoughts on “Vagabond Tales- Dizzying Heights at Mount Rainier”

  1. You’ve reminded us of our year in Vancouver when we often visited Karol Lynn’s relatives in Seattle. When they have days like you did they would say, “the mountains are out today.” KL has a quilted jacket featuring Mt. Rainer and that saying.

    The alpine meadows are spectacular. And that mystery flower is Fireweed.

    Reply

    1. Thank you for verifying the plant! I had looked it up in my book here in the camper and on line and when I saw fireweed…this mauve color just didn’t match the reference pictures I found. But I will go with fireweed and change the blog. Thanks!

      Reply

  2. The photos of Mt. Rainier are stunning! I am so happy for you all that the “mountains were out” for you! The other photos are beautiful as well.
    Hope you are feeling better! I bet it was a combo of altitude and heat that caused your symptoms.
    Love you all

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Diane! It was a beautiful day other than me getting a bit Ill! We decided not to go much higher than our campsite today as I am still a bit on the shaky side! Love to you! Karen

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