Lost bear can!

I snow-camped in the middle of the Nisqually Vista Loop with the intention of doing the Panorama Point/Skyline Loop the next day. When I returned in the evening from a short hike to Reflection Lake, my bear can was gone. :( No dinner or breakfast, and I had to cut my trip short.

I can only imagine someone saw the bear can (which was not stashed in sight of my camp, so they may not have realized someone was camping in the area), and not knowing any better, thought it was a lost item and took it with them.

If this was you, I'm not mad but I'm very attached to my gear and would love to get it back. Please comment on this TR so we can connect!

Other than that, this a nice snow camping location if you would like to enjoy the trails at Paradise without the stress of trying to get down the mountain before the Longmire gate closes. There is a meadow in the middle of the loop where you can find spots for privacy. The entrance to the loop can be hard to find in winter, but this time there was a spot just on the uphill side of the entrance to overnight parking.

This was our first time showshoeing at Paradise and we were impressed. The road is now open Thursday through Sunday.  We got to the entry booth at 10 am and there was no wait.  The road is completely cleared of snow. There were a few icy areas but it was great overall. There were about 60 cars in the lot when we arrived.

We did a clockwise loop up the Skyline Trial to Alta Vista then went cross country across Edith Creek then back on the Golden Gate Trail. The snow coverage was excellent. The snow was consolidated so we didn't feel the need to use our snowshoes.  Spikes were perfect.

Amazing clear weather and minimal breeze made for perfect conditions. The southern exposure catches the late fall sun all day.

4mi, 1100ft

Parking lot at 6:30 am with about 10 cars. By 6:45 light enough to hike without a light. Beautiful clear day. Went up to Panorama point. Beautiful watching the mountain change in the early morning sunlight. Snow on the upper parts of skyline trail. Pretty slippery early in the morning. I used micro spikes since I brought them, but most people didn’t have them and seemed fine, snow getting pretty slushy at 11:30 when I was heading down. Beautiful fall foliage. Upper parking lot full when I left at noon, lower lot had space. You can use Wi-Fi at paradise to buy a pass if you didn’t do it before you left home and no one at entrance.

Fall foliage is just beginning to turn.  Next week will probably be amazing.

Upper parking lot filled before I arrived - with cars parked all the way down to Paradise River, but there still were spaces available in the lower parking lot all morning - even when we left about 1:00 p.m.

I was pleased that the trail to the overlook of Myrtle Falls was open again. . . and that there is easy access to the Longmire Suspension bridge . . .

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.