Day 121 - Mount Rainier Summerland

Sunrise and Summerland were the destinations for day 2 at Rainier. Sunrise is a high valley on the northeast side of the mountain. Before heading up the sunrise road I made a detour to Chinook Pass, famous for being a pass on the Pacific Crest Trail and for its nearby lake views of Rainier.

I drove along the road in hopes of finding elusive cell phone coverage and magically found coverage on most of the sunrise road. I drove up the long, winding road to its top and hiked out to an overlook of the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the lower 48 states.

I then returned down the road to the Summerland trailhead and made some phone calls to friends and my father to talk logistics of two separate future trips next month. I set out for Summerland at 545pm. The first three miles were boring, heading up through the woods; I contemplated turning back. Then I reached an opening and saw what the fuss was all about-- why this hike was so popular.

The mystic view of Rainier and the craggy Little Tahoma peak glowed in the late afternoon light. I considered waiting for sunset at this spot but instead continued up a very steep hillside to the Summerland campground. The view of Rainier and Little Tahoma was even better from here-all views get better as you get higher. I hiked past the campground to a rocky hill on the far side. It was 1.5 miles and 900 ft up to Panhandle Gap, another destination on my list, but it was now 7:45pm.

I decided to go for it:) I was so close and I wanted to see the view across the pass--what was on the other side? So I hiked up, through moon-like volcanic landscapes surrounded by glaciers and ever-changing glorious Mount Rainier views. I reached the Gap and looked out to the other valley: Wow wow wow wow was all I could say. Wow wow wow. Like the hills of Tuscany but with a volcano (Mount Adams) in the background.

I turned back at 830pm and took this celebratory photo, perhaps my favorite portrait so far, in front of a magical Rainier sunset. I hiked the final hour in total darkness with a dim headlight to light the path. I now agree with the many others: Rainier is a spiritual experience!

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