10 yards from a bear - a lucky day.

Day 2 - Mt. Rainier

Today was all about Mt. Rainier. Driving to the southern end of a snow-capped Volcano in October doesn't seem pleasant, but it was!

So a 2 1/2 -3 hour drive south of Seattle. On the way in Elbe (just 30 miles west of the park) we see bunch of cabooses that are used for a hotel. Dad would have loved that... they also had a restaurant.

Eventually we hit the park entrance. $15.00 per vehicle. Seems a bit steep at first, but not once you see the mountain.

Then began the winding drive up the mountain. Not too bad actually as we aren't going UP the main part of the mountain but to a basecamp called "Paradise" that is well south (and down) from the snow-capped peaks.

First stop is Longmire where there is a small museum and inn for anyone who wants to stay there. An old pumping station there marks where drivers used to be able to get gas for the drive up.

Another few miles and we stop along the roadside for pictures of falls. Jenny loves falls, so we stopped at Christine Falls and Narada Falls, both just a short hike from the road. Nothing like a misty waterfall to really put the chill in you. The coats, hats and gloves came out at this point.

As we travelled higher the trees all had snow on them. It was very odd going from non-snow-covered trees to snow covered trees and being able to see your breath. On one of our stops we were talking with a woman who told us today was the grand opening of the brand new visitor center. What luck!

Jenny says "I wonder if there will be cake?" I laugh. She is always thinking of food.

We make it to Paradise at about 1:30 in the afternoon (after passing the old Visitor Center which looks like a flying saucer). As expected parking is horrendous, but we find a spot off the beaten path. We hike up to the visitor center. It is much more rustic looking. A tall alphine looking wooden building.

We go inside and it is packed with park rangers, government officials and someone dressed like Teddy Roosevelt (as well as normal visitors). It looks like they are going to be starting the official ceremonies, so we hike up the mountain.

A park ranger suggested an easy trail .. (maybe thinking we are out of shape just by looking at us?). We take they Myrtle Falls trail .. well you know why. We walk past a park ranger who asks us if we are going "Bear Hunting". We laugh and say no, but he says there are bear sightings up ahead! Jen starts freakin' out, but I think the idea is cool.

We hit the falls, and on a hillside (probably about 1/2 mile away) is a brown bear foraging for berries. Just practically a spec. We decided to walk on a trail past the falls, muddy, steep, but a nice view of the majestic peaks (whenever the clouds coopeerate). A ways up some guy says "Hey there are marmuts just over the hill by the creek." Well after that news we were hooked into finishing the climb. and what a climb it was .. a gradual incline but we made it to the top huffing and puffing. But sure enough .. right by the creek two marmuts (mammals .. like giant guinea pigs with red busy tails) were playing. Up here we were above the fog, it was sunnier, warmer (oddly) and beautiful.

Back down the hill, take a break on a bench and eat some sandwiches we brought.

Back up another trail hoping to see more waterfalls, but no such luck. But luck was still on our side as we end up taking the trail that was ABOVE the bear on the hill. We pass some people and they say the bear is just up ahead. He has climbed the hill, crossed the path and is just over the ridge. We get to a intersection of paths and sure enough. There is the young bear ...

10 yards away ..

Ten yards away from a real live bear and NOT in a zoo. Just weird. Especially with the coldness of the air (we weren't really cold anymore after hiking around), the snowy peaks in the distance. It was quite surreal.

Back down the trail (going down steep trails is worse than going up sometimes) and back to the Visitor's Center. It looks like the festivaties had ended (it was now around 4:30) ... and guess what ...

There was cake .... :)

What a lucky day.