It’s been 15+ years since visiting the Paraside side of Mt Rainier in the summer, when the “flying saucer” visitor center was in place and before the Henry Jackson visitor center was open. This is where you brought visitors or new transplants to be awed. Anyone remember that?  Today’s visit seems to be the same, except - the masses have multiplied.  8:30am Wednesday already the main parking lot full – youch 😦! – even with light rain and forecast of morning snow showers at higher elevations. Being on a micro-vacation myself, I enjoyed the new visitor center amenities and waited for afternoon clearing.

1:30pm started up the Avalanche Lily trail which was almost deserted compared to the other trails leading out of Paradise (perhaps because it’s steeper). Continued to Dead Horse Creek trail; then, to Skyline and Pebble Creek trail toward Camp Muir.  “Fell field” new term learned from the “Danger Zone” info sign (see Alpine Zone section). Indeed, did find one of these alpine pocket habitats where flowering plants remained while elsewhere there was only alpine scree (top picture)

The mountain makes its own clouds; so, the moment of my 360º video it was shrouded. But until it popped out again there were ample views to enjoy including audacious, sunbathing marmots and bright-eyed ground squirrels. Skyline Trail was busy on the way back to Paradise with trail closure south of Waterfall trail due to presence of foraging bear and volunteer Rangers working to keep eager gawkers from getting too close.

The partly cloudy sky stole the show today on the mountain. With a 6:30 a.m. start time, I began on the Skyline trail to Deadhorse Creek to Glacier Vista to Panorama Point to high Skyline which is just Skyline now and back to my car. In between, I came across a number of darting chipmunks, adorable marmots, and lounging mountain goats. The flowers are not so grand but still pretty. I will be back to hit the other trails. I love the Alta Vista trail and the Lakes trail when the fall colors are shining, so I'll be stalking trip reports to catch those reds like no other. Or I'll just keep coming back to the mountain.

Hit the trailhead around 6:20 am and had a beautiful hike up to panorama point. There were others out but my no means was the trail crowded. The wildflowers at paradise are past peak but still lovely. Fantastic views of Adams, st. Helens and hood. Carried on the skyline to golden gate and saw some young marmots on the way down.

For my ramble this (MON 07aug2023) morning at Paradise WA, to avoid the crowd, i left home very early this 07aug2023 morning. ~06:30, i was the ~10th to arrive at the Trailhead parking (that's ~500 ft before the Visitor Center. 

My route (CW-Loop): Trailhead Parking > Alta Vista > Panorama Point > Myrtle Falls Viewpoint > Visitor Center > Parking {Stats: Distance 6.4 mi / Ascent 1906 (-1895) ft / Total Time 3:50 / Moving Time 3:20

~4 hours later, after i got back - the parking at the Visitor Center was full, and it was almost full at the Trailhead parking .. And i noticed more vehicles were coming in. Also, during my drive out of MRNP, at the Park Entrance Gate at ~11:00, i noticed a ~0.3 mile long of vehicles queuing to come in 😅

The early morning light drizzle ended at ~07:00, but it resumed intermittently (from ~09:00 onwards) after i headed down from Panorama Point. 

It was foggy and misty, especially on the higher elevations. Luckily, for the ~6 Day-hikers and me, who chanced reached Panorama Point at ~08:40, the low clouds dissipated for a few minutes .. and we had great views of Mount Rainier and the glaciers. 

From Panorama Point back to the Parking, i encountered a total of ~50+ people coming (~20+ at/around Myrtle Falls Viewpoint. The Visitor Center wasn't "crowded", probably ~30+ people.  

Saw ~20 chipmunks and no other wildlife. And though i didn't get my dose of sweet solitude, it was compensated by the many happy, cheery, and friendly people that i encountered on the trail. 👍😀 

Happy Trails Everyone 🌈

Dead horse Creek trail was probably half or more in snow. The usual snow is at the switchback on the Skyline Trail as it traverses across the slope up toward Panorama Point. There were a few tricky slick steps to cross the top of the deep glissade tracks that have been made there. Some big slopes of snow, some of it steep and slick, are on the way up to Panorama Point and continu above the point. Panorama Point itself is totally melted out

We continued on to McClure Rock. A way trail is visible turning off the Skyline Trail and can be followed a bit in the direction of the rock. It's relatively easy travel across the snow or the rocks to the broad top of McClure Rock for fabulous 360 degree views.