Dege Peak, Mount Rainier National Park, USA

The Sunrise visitor area of Mount Rainier National Park just opened for the summer! If you want to see a glorious view of The Mountain, Sunrise is the place to go. I hiked the Sourdough and Dege Peak trails recently on a perfect sunny day (high temp 65° F). Here's what I saw.

We started out at the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot, then walked up to the Sourdough Trail. It's the horizontal line up on the hill. Maybe you can see a few tiny specks along the path. Hikers!

As the trail climbed, the views became more and more spectacular. One false step off the edge and you're in trouble!

A look back at the Sunrise visitor center and parking lot. I love the "ruffle" of clouds across Mount Rainier's peak.

Patches of snow blocked the path to the top of Dege Peak. Although we could have climbed up anyhow, we were concerned about more snow near the top and slippery footing on the way back down. Next time we'll try for the summit.

As a side hike, we also walked to the Emmons Glacier Vista. According to the National Park Service website:
Emmons Glacier has the largest area of any glacier in the contiguous United States, although the Carbon Glacier has a greater volume of ice. The glacier descends from the summit into the White River Valley.

A highlight of the hike--seeing a male sooty grouse puff up and call for a mate (per the ranger we saw on the trail). His "whoop, whoop" is a distinctive call I'll never forget. 

What a glorious day for a hike! 

More info about Sunrise area trails HERE.

Curious about Mount Rainier's glaciers? You'll find info HERE.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Silver Falls & Grove of the Patriarchs, Mount Rainier National Park

I have a new favorite hike in Mount Rainier National Park. It's a combination of two connecting trails: one that leads to Silver Falls and the other to the Grove of the Patriarchs. I think my pictures will show why I enjoyed these trails.

We started at the Ohanapecosh Campground and hiked along the Silver Falls Loop until we reached this viewpoint.

The path climbed above the river. We looked down on the upper reaches of the falls and dramatic pools and rapids below.

The path led downhill to the trail to the Grove of the Patriarchs. We crossed a footbridge across the Ohanapecosh River to get there. One person at a time, please, because the bridge is bouncy!

Here are a few of the giant old-growth trees in the Grove of the Patriarchs. This area is easily accessible with a parking lot only a 1/4-mile walk away. We saw several families along the path.

This photo of me shows the size of the root system of this fallen giant. Nature's sculpture.

We crossed Laughingwater Creek several times... once on a log bridge (with a handrail).

The Ohanapecosh River at the campground that shares its name... and the end of our trail.

More information about these trails can be found at the Washington Trails Association website:
HERE

To see photos from other hikes and walks at Mount Rainier, click on the Hikes/Walks tab above.

Zoom in to see the trails.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Wicked!

Have you ever wondered why the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz was so evil? And how did the scarecrow, tin man, and cowardly lion come to be? In the play Wicked, you'll discover the answers through delightful song, beautifully choreographed dance, and clever dialogue. Although photography was not allowed during the performance, I can post photos of the venue where I saw this delightful stage performance--the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle. What a fun time!

This opulent theater opened on March 1, 1928.

More info about the Paramount Theater and its history: HERE.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Nature's Jungle Gyms - SaturdaySnapshot

Children enjoy playing on jungle gyms, swinging on swings, and spinning on merry-go-rounds. But these kids at Volunteer Park had plenty of fun on "equipment" built by Mother Nature.

Looks like fun, doesn't it?

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at A Web of Stories.

To join in or view photos from around the world:

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken, then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the website

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Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. Please don't post random photos you find online.