Hurricane Ridge and Mt. Baker in Olympic NP and Mt. Rainier in Mt. Rainier NP

No internet or cell for days – this is being blogged as I go, and will be published ---all of it --- as soon as I can get internet.  Note - first time in 2 weeks for internet - still no cell in the national parks (and nearby towns) of WA State.  We are "buying" Internet at a small dinner outside of the park by eating lunch here.  Probably no cell/internet until at least Tuesday, the 8th.

With just one day left to explore the remaining sections of Olympic National Park, we left early and saw a lot!  First, Hurricane Ridge.  It is an amazing ridge of mountains, including a view of Mt. Baker many miles to the east.  The ridge is so long that I can’t put a panorama of it in this blog.  Had to cut the picture in half.  Here are, from left to right, both portions of Hurricane Ridge.

 

 

 Mt. Olympus sits proudly, highest on the ridge.  She is the tall peak slightly left of the middle.

 

On the way to Hurricane Ridge, we caught this astounding shot of Mt.Baker in the distance, seeming to hover in mid air on the east side of Pudget Sound.

 

The high meadows are green, filled with bright wildflowers, and grazing deer.

 

From the other side of our vantage point, you can see just how high the road climbs to view Hurricane Ridge.  This view is as beautiful, showing off Olympic NP in all of her spring glory.

 

Fabulous waterfalls are everywhere, especially in the rain forests.

 

One last drive past Crescent Lake, her clear waters over 600 feet deep.  We read that you can see 60 feet down in some areas of the lake.

 

I rather regretted leaving our beach front camp site, but off we motored on Tuesday morning, making our way to Mt. Rainier NP.  Mt. Rainier – wow.

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Rainier NP is a huge square which surrounds Mt. Rainier.  Mr. Rainier herself is like a flower with 25 petals flowing down from her high peak (14,410 Ft). Each petal is actually a glacier.  Mt. Rainier NP has more glaciers than any other national park in the continental US.  This particular glacier is

flowing – you can see some of the characteristic blue ice in it.

 This glacier is hanging – high and ready to break away.

 

We were extremely fortunate to see Mt. Rainier on a clear, blue skied day.  We were told that many visitors never see the top of the mountain, and we see why – clouds curled around the mountain top from time to time.

 

Although it is July, 90% of the trails are still snow packed.  Here is the Paradise Visitor Center, at a mere 5,400 feet.

 

And my brave hiker…

 

 

I guess the wildlife isn’t used to visitors yet – this doe had little care for traffic.

 

And this little pika (about the size of a large mouse) wasn’t sure if he should hide from us or not.  That white mass behind her is snow…

 

Again, wildflowers are abundant.  We especially like the Avalanche Lilies.  They are the first flowers to pop up through the snow each year, usually in an avalanche area.

 

Rosey Spirea make bright spots.

Other flowers cling to sheer rocks.

 

Areas of volcanic flow are slowly being covered with mosses, lichens, and tiny wildflowers, Mt. Rainier watching in the background.

 

Thursday, July 3

We awoke to the soft sound of rain, left in a mist, and arrived in the far northeast section of Mt. Rainier NP in the fog at 6,400 feet.

 

Our 1 ½ hour trip to reach the Sunrise Visitor Center definitely showed us how the mountain could hide in the fog.

 

But, as the morning wore on, the fog lifted and Mt. Rainier came back.  We are looking at the NE side of the mountain today.  About 10,000 try the 2-3 day climb to the summit each year – less than ½ make it.  About 3 weeks ago an avalanche killed 6 trying to make the climb.

 

This shot shows mountain to river.  The Emmons Glacier, just off center to the right, is the largest on both Mt. Rainier AND the lower 48 states.  The glacier used to flow in the dark brown area below it.  The glacial blue lake is a result of glacier action thousands of years ago.  The White River flows at the bottom, full of glacier melt. 

 

No one bothered to mention to us that today was actually the first day of this season that the Sunrise Visitor Center was open.  Too much snow earlier in the season (it IS at 6,400 feet….)

 

Flowers don’t care about snow.  As we visit different areas of the park, we see the roadsides and fields filled with different flowers.  Tiger Lilies!

 

This Pasqueflower has “hair” to protect it from the bitter, high winds.  Doesn’t deter flies, though!

 

And animals… chipmunks work the area, feasting on the new berries.

 

And finally!!!!!  A elk!!!  He is standing almost belly deep in a marshy stream, happily grazing on grasses near the top.  He was beautiful – and large.

Luke took one last walk today while I sat it out.  Rainforests are also in the park, filled with old growth and massive trees.  Here are 2 of the oldest trees (over 1000 years old) and largest of the forest – Douglas Fir.

 

An example of the “nurse log” that I mentioned earlier.  This nurse log is in a much earlier stage of the development – the trees growing on top of the log are younger, with small roots only beginning to crawl across the nurse log and work their way into the ground below.

 

Yesterday, on the 4th, we did a couple of waterfall walks.  With our absence of internet, I don't believe you'll be seeing pictures of them LOL! 
Mundane chore of laundry today -but it is done!  CLEAN sheets!  whoohoo! Next, back to the RV for a campfire and long walk for Smokey.
Hope the 4th was a good one for everyone!