August 8 - Waterfall, Deadhorse Creek, Moraine, Skyline, and Alta Vista trails (Paradise)

5:40 wake-up call - ugh! But need to get going before the "real" crowds descend on Paradise.

I'm going for an "easy" day trying to hold myself to under 1000 ft in elevation. My legs deserve it.

Last time I saw Elk (in the foggy morning) not far from the lodge but today, there is no fog and there are no elk. :(

No ranger at the gate so it's simply a drive-thru.

I'm behind two other cars all going just over the speed limit - happiness. The middle car pulls off at one point. I'm not sure why so I'm #2. The lead car also pulls over -- I swear I left tons of space between me and the car ahead but perhaps I didn't. Oh well, I've got the lead!!!

Around one corner, I see a doe and 2 fawns alongside the road. A bit of a deja vu moment from 2 years ago when, on my way to Paradise, I saw a doe and 2 fawns (interesting). I stop and watch. The fawns still have spots and they were not happy with my presence. Mom didn't care; she was munching on some plants.

The 2nd car finally rolls up behind me. I take off; they watch the deer.

A bit farther up the road, I see another doe. She appears to be alone.

Onward until I reach Paradise. Plenty of parking so I find a good end spot by the Visitor's Center. Perfect for finding my car later and saves my legs after the hike.

I think the Mt Rainier gods love me because every day I've been in/near the park, She's been out. And she's out yet again with perfectly clear blue skies!!

I start up the trail seeing lots of flowers including Spirea

and Mountain Bog Gentian

In about 1/2 mile, I leave the Skyline Trail for the Waterfall Trail. Just trying to get away from the crowds and ultimately get to the same place. The trail heads west with some amazing views.

Not sure what to expect of the waterfall but I find it! 

It's a little water seepage running down a rock wall - all natural of course. There's Pink Monkeyflower at the bottom with bright green moss.

There's a marker there as well.

Moving along until the trail, I get my 1st views of Mt Rainier today.

The trail soon becomes the Dead Creek Trail. The trail heads uphill and parallels the Skyline Trail. It's closer to Rainier and farther from the crowds I see on the Skyline Trail. I also think it's a bit less steep if  that's possible.

I'm in the clouds

and then above them.

At one point, a bride/groom and photographer pull off the trail for me. Told them "kudos" for climbing to get those wedding pictures. They were up at 2:30 AM!! (Still can't see walked up there in a wedding dress; mine would be full of sweat.)

I reach the Moraine Trail. I want to try that. It's only 1/2 mile heading west. It's supposed to lead to closer views of the Moraine but that's mostly after the "end of the maintained trail". I saw the sign; not for me being by myself. I returned to the main trail.

On my return, I see a Blue butterfly on a dew covered Beargrass - yea!!

There's some dew covered Asters as well.

Seeing plenty of large chipmunks. Pretty friendly critters; walk right up to you looking for a hand-out.

The Dead Creek eventually returns to the Skyline Trail.

I continue to the Alta Vista Trail (another short trail west of the Skyline).

At one point, I turn around and the view is so clear, I can see Mt St Helens!!!

Saw a Frit almost at my stopping point but with staying on the trail, I could not get a good look.

The Alta Vista Trail returns to the Skyline. I go just a bit higher before stopping for a rest at my final destination. 

There's a Marmot there. I slowly creep up on him so not to scare him but he wasn't fazed. I walked a couple feet from him.

I found a rock and enjoyed the views.

Time to head down - against the river of people.

Took my time on the way down -- can't check in until 3pm in Mt Vernon and it's a 2.5 hour drive.

Seeing Blues but I can't stop.

Finally, I see a Frit and some blues on Asters right off the trail. I was able to stop and get photos of both!!!

Almost to the bottom when there are some folks looking at something near the trail -- it's Grouse! He wanders into the grasses. But when I walk up, he's still moving thru the plants. Awesome!!

When I'm done, I take a quick look around the Visitor's Center and then head to my car, pack-up and head on down the mountain.

On my way down, I see another doe and 2 fawns. The Mom bounded off the road to the left. One fawn chaotically followed.

But the other fawn thought about bounding off the road twice but stayed in the road. He was so funny as he was Pronking down the road. Move little guy. After after 100 ft, I ran off the road to the right away from Mom. Oops!

I'm sure she'll gather him up. I wonder if these are  the same ones I saw hours earlier.

Down I go stopping at Narada Falls. So much more sane them last time I was here. (There were only a couple cars in the lot.)

I also stop at the river crossing to Carter Falls.

That's my time in Mt Rainier National Park!

I arrive in Ashford 10 minutes before 11. I stop for places to eat. I can wait 10 minutes and go to the place I ate last night or I can't just continue. I continue.

I do stop at the Mt Rainier Railroad Dining Co in Elbe.

Atr in an old trail car - pretty cool. (Should've took a picture - would have if Dad were alive but I know he was a happy man in heaven today.)

Ordered cheeseburger -- got 2 patties -- good $19 cheeseburger!

It as a 2.5 hour drive before I stopped -- now it's over 3 hours. That's OK, I won't have to stall til checkin time;

I'll be over an 1 hour past.

Awesome day!!