Palisades, Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Tuesday, Jun. 7, 2022

Thanks to the excellent May 22nd report by Bike-n-Hike, and comments by imadethisupforthis, we started today's hike with a good idea of where we might run into snow or other obstacles: circa the Little Ranger Peak/Palisades junction and some north-facing switchbacks. I am happy to report that the snow has nearly melted out, and that poles and careful footing were all that was needed in the few places where compact snow still lingers. The two places where there's still some minor snow are just beyond the junction (soft snow, see pic) and on a couple of north-facing switchbacks about 1.5 miles down Palisades (approx. 1 ft deep, compact)--well below the ridge. You can just walk atop it. More challenging is the "tanglewood" atop the ridge, within about 1/2 a mile of the junction (see pic), where dry, spindly, brushy downed trees necessitate some guerilla hiking tactics--creeping carefully through, so as not to poke your eyes out. All easy enough, just took a few extra minutes. (Unfortunately, we weren't carrying a little handsaw or pruning shears or anything). Otherwise, there are a few blowdowns along the circuit, all of the throw-your-legs-over variety.

Our route: Parked at Camp Sheppard, took the White River Trail to the Palisades junction; hiked up Palisades to the junction with Little Ranger trail, then down to meet the other end of the White River trail, and back to the car. RT about 15 miles, elevation gain roughly 2800 feet. Took us about 7 hours of hiking, though we took our time; after Edelman's tumble a couple weeks ago, we're looking at areas of erosion or rockslides a bit more warily. Speaking of which, there are a few places to note. Heading up Palisades, before the staircase (so, early on in the hike), there's one short area of trail erosion which you'll want to be sure to step well across (as opposed to on). Looks eerily similar to where Edelman fell on the Carbon River trail. Then, on the Little Ranger trail, there are several switchbacks that could seriously use restoration. They are steep and slippery with loose rock and dirt.

Highlights of the hike: we enjoy the variety on the trail, as you hike up through vine leaf maple and fir, catch awesome views of Dalles Falls, and climb up the steep staircase to the top pf the falls. From there, the forest is super peaceful, and there's a long, gentle hike through the woods. Soon, the viewpoints, I call them promontories begin. There are six of them on the way to the junction with Little Ranger, and each one provides a sweeping, if vertiginous view of the White River valley and Mt. Rainier across the way. Yesterday we had a terrific view (see pic). In a few weeks, the rocky outcroppings on these promontories will be abloom with paintbrush and penstemon, maybe some balsam root or aster, lupine. Right now, there are only a few lone paintbrush out on this stretch. Nearing the junction, Little Ranger Peak is a cool area, with its rock formations and views towards Norse Peak. All around you, near and far, you can see stark evidence of the 2017 Norse Peak burn. Hiking down Little Ranger, you'll see a number of Pacific Yew trees, as well as some nice old growth cedar and Doug fir. We saw some trillium on this stretch today. Pioneer violets throughout the hike.

Upshot: great hike for its physicality and varied landscape. Happy hiking, Everyone!