July 11, 2003, Summerland MRNP
7/11/03
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3566
0
We had hoped to enjoy the slopes above Summerland earlier in June and never made it so two of us decided to see what was left.
The trail to the Fryingpan crossing is snow-free with patchy snow up to and at Summerland. We hiked up from Summerland on snow toward the Fryingpan Glacier by climbing and traversing to the right. We encountered one active rockfall area on the traverse and observed several large slabs falling to the slopes below.
Due to a late start and a time constraint, we did not reach the Fryingpan itself, but settled for a spot on the ridge just below the notch at about 7,040' and enjoyed the great views back down the Fryingpan and over to Goat Island Mountain under sunny skies.
We were able to ski just over 1,000 vf on variable snow. Overall pretty wet and slow, but who can complain on a sunny July Friday! Saw only one other skier and boarder and several climbers headed for the Fryingpan.
We did encounter a VERY small black bear cub on the trail right at the bottom of the Summerland switchbacks on the way out. It walked across the trail at the switchback about 20 feet in front of us. Fortunately we believe mom must have already been uphill ahead of the cub and never were able to spot her. Avalanche lillies are in full bloom on the switchbacks are are probably a food source right now.
J.P.
The trail to the Fryingpan crossing is snow-free with patchy snow up to and at Summerland. We hiked up from Summerland on snow toward the Fryingpan Glacier by climbing and traversing to the right. We encountered one active rockfall area on the traverse and observed several large slabs falling to the slopes below.
Due to a late start and a time constraint, we did not reach the Fryingpan itself, but settled for a spot on the ridge just below the notch at about 7,040' and enjoyed the great views back down the Fryingpan and over to Goat Island Mountain under sunny skies.
We were able to ski just over 1,000 vf on variable snow. Overall pretty wet and slow, but who can complain on a sunny July Friday! Saw only one other skier and boarder and several climbers headed for the Fryingpan.
We did encounter a VERY small black bear cub on the trail right at the bottom of the Summerland switchbacks on the way out. It walked across the trail at the switchback about 20 feet in front of us. Fortunately we believe mom must have already been uphill ahead of the cub and never were able to spot her. Avalanche lillies are in full bloom on the switchbacks are are probably a food source right now.
J.P.
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