August 15, 2010, Paradise Glacier
8/15/10
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2073
1
Like others the day before, Fred R and I were inspired by Amar's TR from 8/11 to get out of the smog and heat and onto the Paradise Glacier. We were not disappointed. Arrived with the masses on a free federal lands access day, taking 4th Crossing trail to Paradise Gl trail with temps in mid 70's but a cool breeze keeping the bugs off. Wildflowers in full glory. Nearly continuous snow begins at about 6200' el. Snow is just lightly suncupped with few runnels but cracks are developing on the Lower Paradise, and a couple up higher on the Upper glacier. Top 2" was soft and a bit slippery skinning on steeper traverses. Most direct, least crevassed route up was fairly high on the valley slope. We carried across two rock bands and clattered across one short bit of scree. We went up to 8500'. Saw one party of 5 skiers ahead, but never met up -- they must have continued on to Muir or descended fall line on north end of the Paradise. Turns down the upper glacier were worth every bit of hiking and skinning up. Fantastic for August. Avoided one rock band on the descent by going down below it. Dead-ended down a gulley west of the trail at a little cliff above the creek trying to get further toward Van Trump Memorial, so backtracked to the same point we started skinning at. Lots of melting going on, so days of safe unroped travel here are numbered. Temps in mid 50's F at 8500' and 78 F back at the Paradise Valley Road at 5 PM for tourist entertainment. Nice crowd at Scaleburgers, too, to top it off.
Thanks for posting this, Don. We wondered whose fresh tracks those were that we crossed on our descent...
Indeed, a "Paradise" kind of day! Only our 5 (Lara Skis, Chuck R., Eveline, son Vonya, and myself) in the valley. We took Amar's suggestion and baked ourselves up to Muir. The moonfield moguls were tough on the tired hot legs on the way down to Anvil, but boy was the corn buttered! Then, all the way back down to the Paradise Glacier "End Maintained Trail" sign buried in the snow still!! Best August turns for the past many years. Our friends Eveline and Vonya had never been to Muir, so the objective was worthy. A long, warm day, but the morning and early evening thermals on the slopes were sure a blessing.
Indeed, a "Paradise" kind of day! Only our 5 (Lara Skis, Chuck R., Eveline, son Vonya, and myself) in the valley. We took Amar's suggestion and baked ourselves up to Muir. The moonfield moguls were tough on the tired hot legs on the way down to Anvil, but boy was the corn buttered! Then, all the way back down to the Paradise Glacier "End Maintained Trail" sign buried in the snow still!! Best August turns for the past many years. Our friends Eveline and Vonya had never been to Muir, so the objective was worthy. A long, warm day, but the morning and early evening thermals on the slopes were sure a blessing.
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