Alpine Adventures

On a sunny winter day, I decided to make the most of my day off by going on a snowshoe hike to the Eagle Chutla Saddle at Mt. Rainier.

After a nice 3-mile hike along the trail amid the trees, encountering noone, I emerged at the base of the steep slopes where the bright sun reflects brilliantly off the snow.

Remnants of wind and rain appear on the the plants and other vegetation making them fragile, brittle and frozen in place.

A short, steep, but very direct hike brings me to the Saddle - a junction and lower point between two adjacent peaks. Greeting me once again, is the grandeur of Mt. Rainier, draped in a clean frosting of white.

There has been few visitors to the place thus far, and today is no exception. Here, with the cool air, the warm sun and the insulating properties of the snow, it is remarkably quiet.

Though the tree boughs are laden with snow over a crispy ice coating, they still stal tall and regal against the contrasting snow and blue sky.

The start of the Eagle Peak scramble. I attempted this, but didn't go far because it was to a destination I've yet to climb, and the winter conditions increased a risk I was unwilling to take.

I had the Saddle to myself, until another hiker joined me. We chatted, realxed and both enjoyed the solitude of this pristine day.

Off to the east are Lane Peak, Pinnacle, and Plummer (near the tall tree). A winter scramble of these peaks would be a fun outing.

Another view of the peaks (Plummer is now hidden).

And yest another view ... it was a great day for photos!

Me, at the Saddle, and ready to pack up and head home.

A great example of hoar frost. Note the ice is attached on only one side, evidence of wind direction.

In the winter, you can wander wherever you want, and not worry about damaging the plants or other vegetation. This is one of the joys of winter snowshoeing.

Once out of the Park, and driving home. I stop at a park in Puyallup to enjoy the sun set on Mt. Rainier. While Rainier is coated in Winter, Spring is happening on the lowlands.

Mt. Rainier's three peak crown: Liberty Ridge, Columbia Crest and Point Success.

And finally, Clear Lake is a favorite place to capture a special shot. Today, it is the family of ducks swimming lazily as the last sunbeams fall upon Rainier.