Are you tired of Mt. Rainier yet? We’re not, and so found ourselves on her trails again this weekend. Spoiler Alert: There are more Rainier hikes yet to come before this summer is through. The choice this time was Shriner Peak.
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| TBGuide seems confused. |
The WTA indicates this trail isn’t highly traveled because of summertime heat and the elevation gain. The description led us to believe that after leaving the forested beginning section, the exposure would be relentless and getting an early start was paramount. It also indicated that the elevation gain would be brutal. The first part was partially true, the second was absolutely true.
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Steppin’ up into the sunshine. |
We didn’t take any photos of note in the woods, mostly because it really wasn’t that notable and also because it was difficult to stop once we had a manageable uphill pace established.
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| Bear grass. |
About halfway up, or two-ish miles, we met up with two gals who had overnighted at the top and who told us there was a trio of guys camped as well but not yet awake when they’d left. We did meet them awhile later on their descent. Otherwise, we were alone. Recent trip reports indicated bears were about, but again, they were shy of us. I guess I shouldn’t complain about that.
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| My favorite section. |
The trail did become much more exposed at that halfway point, opening up to panoramic views and heat, but we were well ahead of the sun’s more punishing rays. The website description would have you believe there wouldn’t be any shade after that, but there were plenty of short treed sections where respite could be sought if needed.
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| Mounts Adams and Hood. |
The views on the climb up are great, but this hike is all about the summit from which you can see Mounts Adams, Hood, St. Helens, and, of course, Rainier.
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TBG looking out from the lookout. |
At the top is a lovely open meadow with a fire lookout, two campsites, and a toilet. TBG espied an elk way down below. He tried to point it out to me by saying it was “by that tree” and I failed to see it because out of the thousands of trees below us, I couldn’t tell which one was that one. It’s one of our long-standing relationship hiccups (one that involves very different ideas of how to describe to someone where something interesting is to be seen, mostly because someone who probably isn’t me stinks at it.) Remind me someday to tell you the one about triangulation and a hypothetical capsizing ship.
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How far away is this thing? |
The campsites and pit toilet are at the end of this long path. Unlike the facility at Summerland, which was a two-story outhouse affair, this comfort station was breezy patio seating in a copse of trees.
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Magenta paintbrush amid pink mountain heather. |
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Magenta-shirted hiker amid solitude and sunshine. |
We had the top all to ourselves. Are you worried about me sitting on the meadow? Fret not, this was not a no-step meadow, although I was mindful of where I stepped all the same. Just as we were packing up to head back, others arrived at the lookout, and we felt fortunate to have had such a nice, uninterrupted intermission.
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| Heat-beatin’ hikers. |
I’ve mentioned heat a lot, but this really wasn’t a particularly hot day, fortunately. The website caution of preparing for the heat is well-taken, though, even on a less-than-blazing day. We passed a lot of sweaty hikers on the way down, many of whom expressed envy at our early-start heat-beatin’ forethought.
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| Lupine. |
They say that because of the gain and potential heat, this is best as an autumn hike. Maybe so, but if you get an early start and maintain a steady pace, a serene summertime wildflower meadow with a quadruple volcano view ain’t too shabby.