Today’s hike was a shorty, relatively speaking, at just a mere seven miles on the Glacier Basin Trail.
Speaking of relatives, we were joined by our nephew, Addison.
We chose this trail to give our legs somewhat of a break after last weekend’s tough tromp which caused various and sundry -itises. No need to burn out with so much more left to the season!
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| Bridging the moraine’s rushing river. |
If you noticed in the first pic — I’ll wait, scroll up and look — after a mile, a half-mile spur trail heads off to a viewpoint of the Emmons Glacier. It’s the biggest glacier in the lower 48. People climb on it to get to the summit of Rainier. Not us, though. We just wanted to gawk at it.
There was something large-ish swimming across a turquoise-blue glacial lake, but we were numb skulls and forgot we had the binoculars with us, so we don’t know what it was. I did use the binoculars to try to espy some mountain goats that the website says are commonly seen on the rocky slopes. I saw none on any slopes, thus I choose to believe it was a mountain goat paddling its way across that lake.
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| Glacier Basin |
Just past the campsites is the end of the line for most day-hikers. Yes, the sky is really that blue.
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| Tante pointing out climbers. |
While Addison and I enjoyed some vitamin D, TBOnkel went to investigate a pond he saw where he thought he might get some nice reflection shots.
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| And he did! |
On the return trip, I followed the “toilet” sign because after Shriner Peak’s glorious throne view, and Summerland’s two-story toilet condo, I had to. Also, I had to.
The guys waited for me at the sign, and I thought I’d never get to the darn thing, the trail was so long. I think I added another quarter mile total to my hike. As I approached across a sunny meadow, a man’s voice rang out, “I’m over here!” I about-faced as I called back, “OK!” While I waited in the meadow, I thought I should’ve brought my camera because the views along Toilet Trail were pretty darn good (of the hills and wildflowers, what do you think I am?) The facilities themselves, while pretty well-kept, were nothing compared to Shriner’s.
We didn’t take as many pictures as usual, mostly due to the fact we were busy visiting and catching up since this is (probably) the last time this summer we will see Addison before he returns to school.
It was a good hike made great by being with family. Thanks for making the time, Adi!