Some more from our Rainier Vacation...

[JCON]

There was so much to see there with the mixed weather the mountain creates and the fall season... it was crowded like in the summer so some of the trails we never saw a soul on them... 

These pictures were taken on the south side of Rainier at Paradise if you look at a map of the Mountain.



Myrtle Falls at Paradise:



Lower Myrtle Falls:



Cascade Range in the distance:





Black tail deer:



WWII 10th Mountain Division trained on the mountain at Paradise before
heading to Italy to end the war there!  This memorial to them is on the Mountain:



Underground springs just drip from the rocks in many places here:



The Mountain causes its own weather as it is so tall and it decided we needed a
half hour snow storm followed by a sunny day later:



Berries are everywhere and so were lots of signs of bear although we never came across them:







Some OSM Guru on the mountain:



Like I said earlier the sun came back out in all its glory!



Walked through many old growth forest trails, so peaceful!

[Buddho]

Fantastic views, Joe.

[JCON]

Rainier from Rampart Ridge:



Fungi are everywhere if you keep your eyes out, all kinds of varieties as you will see below:











Give you some idea of the tree sizes from the old growth forest, the ones that lay
across the trail they have to cut up and get out of the way.  Don't get scared by the
old Guru with the pouch of his sweatshirt full of trail mix and gloves holding
his and his brides walking sticks:



More strange mushrooms:





Reflection lake:







Narada Falls:



Early the next morning on Reflection Lake, it was so cold that night the edges were frozen
in places:

[BUCKY]

OSM GURU, huh? Where's the bottle of super glue???
Another batch of beautiful pics!!

[BUCKY]

Tell the truth, Joe....you needed BOTH of those walking sticks, didn't you??HAHAHA

[JCON]

Last day morning hike started out to Snow Lake and it was 28 degrees out and frosty:



That's icy berries:



Crisp fall morning for sure but beautiful:





Frozen Pond:



Rainier:



Frozen grasses:





Ice on the log bridge over the creek:







Snow Lake:

[BUCKY]

WOW....what a nice trip! I hope you didn't cross that icy log!

[JCON]

We did to get to the lake!!!! LOL!!! Laura is a real trooper when it comes to hiking and the woods!!! She loves the outdoors!!!

[Buddho]

Wait...Laura? Where was Red?

[JCON]

Oct 14, 2018 11:32:48 GMT -6 BUCKY said:

Tell the truth, Joe....you needed BOTH of those walking sticks, didn't you??HAHAHA

One was plenty... lol!!!  Our legs were plenty sore after those strenuous up and down mountain trails!!!  It was a bit discouraging realizing I have aged and that broken knee last year took its toll... arthritis has set in the joint for sure...  what we would have hiked in 2.5 hours now takes 4 hours... but we did it anyway!!!  Well worth the pain... no gain without pain!!!  

[JCON]

Oct 14, 2018 11:54:33 GMT -6 Buddho said:

Wait...Laura? Where was Red?

Laura is Red!!!  LOL!!!     Been my hiking partner since our Junior year in highschool back in 74'!!!  

[JED]

Stunning place and photos Joe

[BUCKY]

Well.....four hours gives ya more time to take more fabulous pics!!!

[Buddho]

Oct 14, 2018 12:00:00 GMT -6 JCON said:

Oct 14, 2018 11:54:33 GMT -6 Buddho said:

Wait...Laura? Where was Red?

Laura is Red!!!  LOL!!!     Been my hiking partner since our Junior year in highschool back in 74'!!!  

Pickin on yas....

[JCON]

I knew you were Dan!!! We've know each other for quite a few years fella!!!

[JCON]

Thank you Jed!!!! Bucky that is so true and part of the reason it takes longer!!! Breathers are good for photo taking!!!

[tojo72]

Some really great shots

We are appreciating the mountains also in our new area near the Blue Ridge Parkway,but no where near as majestic as those shots.

[JCON]

Thank you Tony, share some of your pics when you get a chance so we can enjoy your area!!!

[JEFF]

Awesome photos, Joe. A very beautiful place.

[JCON]

Thanks Jeff...