Skyline Trail Loop, Paradise Glacier & Glacier Vista Snowshoe — Friday, Sep. 12, 2008

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise

Set out from parking lot at Paradise Inn at around 9:45 AM. Took paved path past Myrtle Falls and took trail to right when I came to junction with Golden Gate trail. Nice views of Mt Rainier this morning and wildflowers still blooming in meadows. Trail switches back uphill to junction with Reflection Lakes trail. Went left at junction (stayed on Skyline trail). Went short distance and took spur trail to Paradise Glacier. Saw couple ahead and reached them toward the end of the trail. They told me they had hiked this trail 20 years ago when they first met. There were ice caves and a real glacier terminus back then. Now it is just a snowfield. A sign states end of maintained trail. I hiked on the snowfield a ways and saw some people way up above on the Skyline trail. I decided to traverse back that way. Went down to a creek and crossed then up a semi-steep snowfield. Reconnected with Skyline trail. Saw lady just up ahead and then saw a young bear. I caught up to the lady in an attempt to warn her about the bear. An older man had also seen it and the 3 of us all snapped photos of the bear. I got a couple of photos with groups doing ice axe training far in the background. The bear didn't seem bothered by people. It wandered westward and we continued to see it off and on as we hiked toward Panorama Point. The older man informed us of his age (73) and the fact that he had arthroscopic knee surgery about 3 weeks ago. This was his first hike since and he seemed to do really well. We took the lower trail across a snowfield to Panorama Point. Best to have an ice axe or trekking poles if you choose this shortcut trail. Took lunch at the point and enjoyed the great views. We again saw the bear far below. After lunch I bid my new friends goodbye and continued on the Skyline trail back to Paradise parking lot. Looks like the new visitor center is nearing completion. It will be sad to see the old 60's era spaceship building go, I have a certain fondness for it, but that's progress. Will return to do Reflection Lakes loop when I have more time.