Having closely monitored weather and driving conditions to ensure they conformed to our requirements (minimal chance of rain + not too dangerously icy road conditions), we headed to our favorite stomping grounds: the Mt. Rainier area. Today's plan was to park at Camp Sheppard and catch the White River Trail to the Ranger Peak/Dalles Ridge trail. Mission accomplished! We didn't go all the way to Dalles Ridge, mostly due to daylight time.
Camp Sheppard is a good place to park for this hike. As opposed to the small parking area across the highway (410) from the Buck Creek turnoff, Camp Sheppard is a large lot about 2 miles west that is safely off-highway and has outhouses, too. (Not that I particularly care re: the outhouses, which always gross me out no matter what). The shady lot was very icy this morning, but unless you decide to punch it and make donuts, you'll be fine.
From the Camp Sheppard lot, we took the main trail. If you follow our route, stay left at the start. You'll pass a little amphitheater/assembly area for the Boy Scouts (note the old growth Doug firs there!). Then you'll come to the first sign. Head towards Snoquera Falls and the White River trail. Then you will come to a second junction (I have included photos of the signs at both junctions). Your aim, if you follow our route today, will be to follow the White River trail--remember that this trail parallels Highway 410, so if you start heading sharply uphill, you are not on the right track. At this second junction, which is about half a mile from the first sign, take the middle fork. Do not head to Skookum Flats or up towards Snoquera Falls. You will see three paths/options as you come upon the sign--take the center option. I am writing this because the signage is not exactly clear.
We started out by accidentally taking a short Boy Scout interpretive trail, the first right turn after leaving the parking lot, called Moss Lake (where was the lake?). While this was a mistake, it was actually fortuitous, as the trail features a number of GORGEOUS old growth cedars! I recommend checking the trail out!
After our detour on the Boy Scout trail, we arrived at the second sign (mentioned above) and took the middle fork--the White River trail. We hiked 2 miles along this pretty and very pleasant trail before arriving at the sign announcing the way to Ranger Peak. (This is right by that off-highway 410 parking area for Ranger Peak). The White River trail continues 1/4 mile to the place where you begin your ascent to Ranger Peak.
The Ranger Peak trail is in great condition. Recent reports have cited 2 blowdowns near the start of the hike, but both are fairly easy to navigate. We hiked to the Little Ranger Peak viewpoint, about 2.6 miles up, and the trail was clear of snow. There was black ice, but it was mostly beneath a bed of fir needles. I didn't slip once and neither did my partner (we're a coupla Wrinklies, so tend to watch out for these things). The viewpoint was a great place to eat lunch--bathed in sun at 12:30, and with a view south and west to the White River and peaks beyond. It was chilly but lovely today. Layer up--cold, brisk wind the higher you hike.
We spent about 20 minutes eating lunch and enjoying the sun and the view before becoming rather chilled and deciding to pack up and head down. The trail is mostly south-facing, so the forest was bathed in sunlight for much of our day. It was a lovely, mossy wonderland with many old growth Doug firs. We saw very few people--about a dozen, each party within a mile of each TH (Camp Sheppard and Ranger Peak). Mask compliance was about 67%. All in all, a beautiful, quiet place with lovely old growth trees and moss. We hiked about 10 miles RT today.
Conditions today: 30 degrees at 10:25 a.m., when we hit the trail. Both trails clear of snow. There was black ice right beneath the layer of fir needles on the trail. Black ice started about 3/4 mile below the Ranger Peak viewpoint. Because of the fir needles, it was not slippery--no need for spikes or even poles today.
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