Mount Rainier Mini-Vacation
Friday, August 19
High Country Lane to Fairview, OR
299 miles
trip including a jaunt to Portland to attend my sister Liz’s 50th Wedding Anniversary, hosted by her kids. We altered our plans to leave today instead of next Monday, making a reservation for the trailer to ‘camp out’ at Fairview RV Park.
Smooth sailing with Rick driving over the Blues and into Stanfield. Gassed up, which was a good thing because we hit a head wind that will eat up our mileage today! I took over driving and we wound along the Columbia River. Nearing Biggs Junction, where Hwy 97 crosses the Columbia, we came to a standstill and then crept along bit by bit. Apparently something was causing a slowdown on the access to the bridge or on 97 somewhere, because as soon as we passed the bridge, we were speeding along again, while the Eastbound traffic was blocked up!
We switched drivers again at Celilo Rest Area (I had to go!) and Rick got the joy of driving the gorge and Portland traffic! Fortunately Fairview is just west of Troutdale, so we were able to park the trailer before really getting into the mess.
We stayed at Fairview some 23 years ago when Luke was playing in the state Little League tournament. They have added more sites and it now has over 400. We had been assigned #278, but when I checked in (digitally!) found we had been moved to #13. Were afraid at first that it backed up to Sandy Blvd, but then discovered it was a little off that row and backed into some trees. Convenient to restrooms and showers. Not cheap, but it will do just fine! We get all hooked up, relax and clean up, and then take off for Gretchen’s.
back way, winding through Damascus. It is fun to reminisce about living here and experiences from the early 80’s!
Liz and Dave don’t know we are coming. Gretchen just tells them she has a surprise for them and has invited them over to dinner. Kirsty will also be joining us, coming up from three days of business meetings in Euguene. We had a very enjoyable evening visiting on the back porch of Gretchen’s house and I sadly took NO pictures!
Back up to the RV park around 8:30, taking the more direct route of I205 to I84 – only 25 minutes that way!
SATURDAY, August 20
50th Anniversary Party
West Linn Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
Gretchen and Kirsty have worked hard to prepare a sandwich buffet, fruit salads, etc. Plus cake and chocolate cupcakes for the party. Flowers on the tables, and a wonderful slide show Gretchen put together that everyone enjoyed (especially family members!) Probably around 45 people in attendance and tables both inside and outside so folks felt Covid safe. I have to say that Tucker and Tyler were both very helpful boys today – Tucker helping move things in and out of the kitchen and set up, and Tyler went around and thanked everyone individually for coming!
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| Mac and Rick visit prior to party |
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| Dave and Kirsten |
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| Mac |
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| Simmons family: Tucker, Gretchen (with Tyler), Dave, Doug, Liz, Kirsten |
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| Kirsty took care of flowers |
We started cleaning up around 1 and by 2pm all the dishes were done, floors vaccumed and the church ready for service the next day. We all head back to Liz’s for another 3+ hours out on the patio just visiting. Plus we cleaned up a lot of the leftovers from earlier! A delightful time, but we broke it up around 6:30 as Mac had to drive 3 hours back to Allyn, and Liz and Dave have to leave in the morning for Sacramento!
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| Mac vacuums the party room |
The following pictures were taken off the screen of the slideshow Gretchen put together, so quality is marginal at best!
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| Family shot - Marg, Mom, Dad, Ging, Mac (the ONLY time he has ever worn a tux!) |
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| Bride and maidens...Linda, Liz, Marg, and Ging |
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| This was a priceless one of Liz and I...?? |
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| We look a little wiped out by this time on Liz's deck! |
SUNDAY, August 21
Shopping and Lunch with Mandy!
Corner 14 Food Carts, Oregon City
Yesterday moving I contacted Mandy Chen, who recently moved to Beaverton, about the possibility of meeting up for lunch today. She was thrilled and after talking over ideas with Simmons kids, we settled on the food cart village in Oregon City, meeting at 1:30pm. So that left Rick and I with a little free time in the morning. We had thought about attending church at Covenant, but in reality we probably don’t know anyone there anymore, so nixed that idea.
So, with a little Google research, I found a WinCo AND a JoAnn’s Fabrics within a mile of each other in Oregon City!!! Time to go shopping! We zipped back down I205, in the back way to the upper level of OC, and stocked up. Found there was a One Day sale going on at JoAnn’s also! $120 combined poorer, we topped off the truck for just $4.59 gallon (another $52) and wound our way down the hill to the food carts.
Mandy got there around 1:45 bearing three muffins for us to take back with us for breakfast. What a gal! Rick had Cajun jumbalaya and Mandy and I ate Thai. And then we sat and talked for 3 hours!! A great visit.
Back up to the RV park and a final night to relax (I took another shorter walk and found some blackberry bushes!) before the official beginning of our Mount Rainier trip tomorrow!!
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| You have an awesome view of Mt Hood heading out I84 toward Troutdale |
MONDAY, August 22
Fairview RV Park to Pleasant Valley Campground
183 miles
A beautiful drive up the freeway, past the ports of Kalama and Longview, farms and green fields. At Exit 68, we head east on US 12 toward Rainier. This is lush country – fertile farms, forests, and rolling hills. In the distance we begin to see some of the rock outcroppings and pinnacles of lava country! We stop at a vista to view Riffe Lake and the surroundings, and grab a bite to eat.
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| Riffe Lake viewpoint and wild sweet peas |
We stop in Packwood to gas up, buy a little more ice just for good measure, and then begin the long slow climb UP UP UP to Cayuse Pass and then Chinook Pass at 5432’ before dropping DOWN DOWN DOWN to our campground. (It was further DOWN than we had figured!) Fortunately not a lot of traffic so didn’t have to worry too much about our creeper pace!
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| Fireweed along the roadway |
Up near the passes we finally got some great views of Rainier. Chinook Pass is where the famous Tipsoo Lake is located with its reflections of Rainier. The place was crawling with people!! We will try visiting early in the morning when the sun is on the East face and perhaps not so many have arrived. But….the wildflowers alongside the highway were in full color including paintbrush and fireweed!
Pleasant Valley CG is nearly deserted! There are only 5 out of 17 sites occupied, including us and the host! Our reservations put us right next to the host, near the bathroom (vault), and close to the creek (can’t find the name) While we thought the site would be in the trees from the map, it will actually get a good deal of morning sun, but totally in the shade by 2pm. I was worried about the fridge holding on the ice in it, but Rick fired up the gas, and we will use that to cool it off each night, and then turn it off during the day. (He doesn’t like keeping it on while we are gone.)
We settle in and read for awhile. I finally get up to go for a walking cruise of the campground because I was falling asleep! We enjoy bread, crab, cheese, and grapes for dinner, along with a glass of wine! We plan out our hikes for the next three days.
This stretch of Hwy 410 has seen wildfires in the past, and there are still large patches of dead trees on the hillsides. But overall, the understory is covered with green.
Quiet evening! But we head into the trailer around 7:30 as the wind has died down and the mosquitos are coming out!
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| Rick relaxing in our campsite. |
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| Our campsite is open to the east for morning warmth, but shady on the west for afternoon cool! |
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| Those trees start casting shadows around 2pm! |
Dege Peak Hike 4 miles RT
Sunrise Area, Mount Rainier
I
was up before the sun crested the ridge to the east of us. It got
cold enough during the night
that we actually broke out the sleeping
bag around 1:30 am! Comfortable after that!
At 8:30 or so we headed back up the road (Hwy 410) toward Chinook Pass and Tipsoo Lake. It is 11 miles to the pass, but it sure goes faster when you aren’t pulling a trailer and you know how far you have to go! Yesterday it seemed a forever 11 miles as we didn’t really know where Pleasant Valley Campground was located!
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| A look in the side mirror on one of the switchbacks! |
DOWN from Cayuse Pass to the valley floor and then up the White River canyon and the turnoff to Sunrise. Then we CLIMB about 2000’ elevation on some LONG switchbacks, passing Sunrise Point (incredible location!) and a final approach through meadowed hillsides to Sunrise. Rick learned later that the road was built in the 1930’s (good old CCC!) plus the lodge and 200+ cabins. The cabins are all gone now, but the lodge remains!
They were telling tales of encountering a young bear on the trail and watching it do somersaults down the hillside!
The vistas from the ridge and summit are far reaching beyond the imposing NE face of Rainier, Little Tahoma, and a vast array of glaciers – blue rifts of crevasses. We can see to the Olympics and Hurricane Ridge to the west, the foggy smoggy gray of Puget Sound, Mount Baker to the north, some jagged peaks that were part of North Cascades, Goat Rocks and Mount Adams to the south. And the valleys and ridges surrounding Rainier on the east side are deep and jagged!
Flowers? Paintbrush, huge asters in an array of purple shades, western pasqueflower ‘truffula tree’ seed heads, bluebells, lupine, fireweed, phlox, wild carrot, jacob’s ladder, false hellebore, dark purple penstemon?, yellow spikes? …….cedar trees, whitebark pine, spruce, subalpine fir.
We returned to the lodge area around 1:30 and decided to hit the Visitor Center tomorrow when we return. There were ALOT more cars in the parking lot than when we arrived this morning!
We detour on the way back and check out White River Campground. Sites close together and lots of people. Glad we chose Pleasant Valley, even if it does mean more driving! The river itself is muddy and still running fast down the canyon.
Back to our campground, and we both ‘clean off’ in the river (we have discovered it is the American!) before enjoying some veggie hors d’ovres and then scrambled eggs and turkey frank. Delighted to find a nice breeze picks up in the evening. Plus more folks are coming into the campground! We have neighbors.
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| Asters along the Sourdough Ridge trail with Rainier |
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| Asters and peaks to the southeast |
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| Selfie along Sourdough Ridge. Sunrise complex is behind Ginger's head |
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| Approaching Sunrise area on final switchback |
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| Looking down on Sunrise Lodge and Visitor Center |
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| Ginger consults map from top of Dege Peak |
Tipsoo Lake and Naches Loop Trail
3.5 miles RT
After 9 hours in bed, I am ready to roll this morning!! Up at 6am to finish reading the crazy book Rick found for me at the RV park, finish my prayer drawing, and do a few Sodoku puzzles. No internet so no online word games this week!
We are off today for the famed Tipsoo Lake and its reflections of Mount Rainer. It is located right at the top of Chinook Pass (Elevation 5400’) and in the saddle between Yakima Peak and Naches Peak. Rick drives us the 11 miles back up to the pass around 9am. Not too busy…..YET!
I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. Between a slight breeze on the water, the low lake level which meant you couldn’t get down to the shoreline (or brave venturing off into the forbidden meadows!) only a slight portion of the mountain was visible. But...the aster purples surrounding the lake and especially on one side were spectacular! No complaints there!
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| We found these purple gems right by our parking spot. |
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| Mount Rainer and Tipsoo Lake |
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| Yakima Peak above the lake. |
Once around the lake we took off counterclockwise to loop Naches Peak. The trail climbed for the first part at a good grade, but through dense forest so it was shady and nice! Eventually we opened back up where we could look back the ‘the mountain’, south to Adams and Goat Rocks (barely on the latter) and the valley leading back down to Packwood. It seemed we had the trail to ourselves….at first. But gradually we began to meet more and more folks who did the loop in the other direction. Only a few going our way. We stopped briefly to pick a handful of huckleberries along the trail – too dusty to eat immediately!
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| Rainer from the Naches Loop Trail - looking back |
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| Naches Loop Trail |
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| Rosey Spirea |
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| Another couple offered to take our picture up at the saddle. |
The slopes of Naches are scattered with trees, but largely rock outcroppings and meadows of wildflowers! Today we identified a few more, and took more pictures to identify later. Once we got to the saddle or crest we traversed meadows, another tarn, and some great views of Rainier and the valleys all around. We met up with the PCT on the NE side of the peak. From that junction it was a gradual downhill back to the highway, passing spring-fed creek after creek (not all flowing this time of year) laden with monkeyflowers, yellow goldenrod, lupine, bistwort and asters. And everywhere the shaggy heads of Western Pasque flowers. Just gorgeous. And busy!! There must have been a group of age 50+ women hikers from somewhere. Every 20-50 steps it seemed we passed a group going the ‘other way’.
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| Tarn up on the saddle by Naches Peak |
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| Western Anenome seed heads abounded! |
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| Junction at saddle with PCT |
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| Meadow flowers on the north side of Naches |
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| Another tarn just above Chinook Pass |
We crossed on the PCT high over the roadway on a rock solid wood and stone bridge. At that point the PCT headed on north and we followed a short trail back to Tipsoo and our truck. A good 2+ hour hike!
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| Rick approaches the PCT bridge over the highway. |
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| PCT heads north to the border at this point. |
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| View from the bridge |
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| PCT Trail Crossing at Chinook Pass |
Back down the valley to check out Lodgepole Campground (close to the road, but also some nice sites down by the river) and back to Pleasant Valley. Rick lets the truck run for abit to charge up the trailer battery. We have a few raindrops, but nothing that is going to get much wet. Take our baths down in the river (refreshing as I washed my hair this time!) and a lazy afternoon, reading, doing puzzles, reminiscing.
Cooked up the ravioli, pesto, and some vegetables for dinner. More raindrops, but again scattered and not persistent! I walked the campground after dinner and found 8 of the 17 sites now occupied, and many more due in the next two days. But it relatively quiet! (Other than our neighbor host who runs her generator every afternoon!)
A few final photos from the day....
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| Photos of Tipsoo Lake were better in the afternoon. |
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| Anenome seed heads with Rainer |
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| Meadow purples! |
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| Rainer from one of the overlooks |
Frozen Lake Loop & Emmons
Vista, Sunrise
3.5 miles RT
Another clear beautiful morning in Pleasant Valley Campground! I am up at 6am and head out to warm up my coffee water and work on coloring prayers, doing Sodukos, and other highly ‘important’ morning jobs!
By 8:45 we are on our way back
up the valley to Chinook and Cayuse Passes, down to White River
Entrance, and back UP to Sunrise Visitor Center. I was able to
connect with wifi while waiting to enter the park this morning and
sent a quick missive to Jess and the boys.
Morning sun comes over the ridge
Today our goal is to go INTO the Visitor Center, learn a little, get my passport stamp and a Rainier pin, and then the Frozen Lake Loop trail. We spend about 45 minutes in the VC and I waylay one of the desk gals as she tries to help me identify one of the white flowers I saw yesterday….to no avail. I’ll have to send the picture to Dave and Shelli!
The only disappointing part of the Frozen Lake loop was the lake itself! The trail heads west along Sourdough Ridge (opposite from Tuesday) and I like nothing better than hiking the contours of a ridge while gazing at immense snowy peaks! Top that off with wildflowers dotting the hillside and you can’t complain at all! (It WAS a fairly good uphill for the first half mile! Complaint!) The trail was busy as this is a popular route. Frozen Lake itself is the water supply for Sunrise, so the lake is roped off with signs saying Keep Out! The lake did have two snowbanks on either side of it, but it was not iced over. (Plus all the signs reminding you to stay out of the meadow areas!) The lake is the junction for trails and that junction was crawling with people! The Wonderland Trail that circles Rainier headed off to the west, a trail climbing to the Burrough ridges forked left to high above, and a trail heading up to Fremont Lookout all fingered out from the Sourdough Ridge Trail.
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| Mt. Rainer morning near the parking lot |
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| Ridge trail heading NW this time |
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| Eventually we will return on the road in the foreground |
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| So...this is frozen lake in its unfrozen state! |
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| Rick on the ridge just prior to the lake |
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| Approaching Frozen Lake |
We had choices at the junction and we chose well. Rather than head back the way we came, we opted to turn south on the Wonderland Trail DOWN through alpine meadows to a cirque below, the site of a former campground and a service road back up to Sunrise. We could have made a bigger loop over to Shadow Lake, but we’d done enough hiking for the week! The best part was we only encountered 5 people all the way back to the VC! And the views and wildflowers were still spectacular. Not to mention I can say I have now hiked a portion (ok, only a half mile) of the Wonderland Trail!
Back at the VC we wandered the short distance down to Emmons Glacier vista and got a better understanding there of just where the glacier ends, as the bottom third is covered with debris and dirt.
Afternoon drive back over the passes and down to the campground where we find Pleasant Valley is filling up! Our little loop end now has more sites occupied.
Baths in the river and a quiet afternoon!
WILDFLOWERS we have seen in the past three days….
RED/PINK |
WHITE |
BLUE/PUR |
YEL/ORG |
Lewis Monkeyflower |
Pearling Everlasting |
Cascade Asters |
Alpine Goldenrod |
Scarlet Paintbrush |
Yarrow |
Alpine Asters |
Cinquefoil |
Maroon Paintbrush |
Pasqueflower (Shaggy heads!) |
Small-flowered Penstemon |
Arrowleaf Groundsel |
Rosey Spirea |
Beargrass |
Rockslide Larkspur |
Broadleaf Arnica |
Pink Mt Heather |
Western Bistort |
Harebells |
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Fireweed |
Partridgefoot |
Lupine |
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False Hellebore |
Monk’s Head |
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Wild Carrot |
Bluebells |
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Phlox |
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The soup I had planned for dinner was still frozen 90% solid, so we opted for the 35+ year old Mountain House freeze dried stroganoff – tasted just fine along with our veggies and dips and a chunk of cheese!
Had a nice chat with host Laura while on my evening ‘walk about’ the campground. I had just seen a young deer when she came up in her golf cart, overwhelmed as she is currently covering 3 campgrounds, trying to keep bathrooms clean and making sure folks aren’t having fires!
We are once again in bed by 9 pm!!
Pleasant Valley CG to Baker City HOME
292 miles
Homeward Bound!! We pull out of our campsite around 8:30 and this time turn east on the highway toward Naches and Yakima. A section of highway we have never taken before – at least until the Boulder Cave exit (we drove up to this point with the PYGS 20+ years ago during a Campbell Farm trip). We followed the American River down to where the Naches joined in from the north. Steep canyon walls in many places formed from lava flows.
In Naches Rick pulls over at a fruit stand advertising peaches and plums. Not cheap, but some of the peaches weighed in at over a pound each! Free stone and tasty as the owner gave us a bite – ripe and delicious. He piled a box high with 30 lbs worth for the $45 cash we gave him. Guess I’ll be canning Sunday afternoon!
Into Yakima where I find a station for $4.49, we gas up, bathroom and drink up, and continue on down I-82 toward Oregon. I enjoy the drive through Wapato area as I spy the Parker Heights Presby Church from the freeway where Dad served from 1950-1955 and the manse where I spent the first 15 months of my life! Now the valley is filled, not so much with apple orchards, but with hops and grapes!
We hit Oregon at Umatilla and on down to I-84 and east to home. A stop in Stanfield at the Pilot to gas up AGAIN, then over the Blues into LaGrande. There was a lot of dust/brown smog north of Pendleton, but once in the mountains near Meachem the sky was much clearer. Not the case for our descent into Baker Valley. Heard there were some fires over in Idaho that are sending their smoke our way.
Home around 2 and have the trailer all cleaned out, black tank emptied, and into the shop by 4 pm. I find my fridge filled with about ten good size zucchinis and end up picking about 10 more before the day is over! Glad Jess got what she did on Tuesday because they were getting big!
A great get away and the chance to finally visit a park we hadn’t seen before! Plus some family time!
