WA Hikes: Summerland - Mt Rainier

Summerland on Rainier is definitely one of the best hikes in WA. This was the last hike for our older daughter, who is leaving Seattle to go college on the East Coast. I was not 100 % sure about this choice as the last hike since we have been to Rainier several times. The other option was the Cascade Pass where she has not yet been. Anyway, we decided on Summerland and really enjoyed it! The trail through the forest is wide and gentle. It is carpeted with years of pine needles from tall pine trees. After about 4 miles of this peaceful hike, we broke out into the alpine meadow with wildflowers everywhere. The views are wonderfully alpine: icy Rainier, Rocks of Little Tahoma, cliffs and glaciers. There is a stone walled shelter on a small hill top surrounded by all this scenery. This is a nice destination for most of people, but we continued further toward Panhandled Gap about 2 more miles away. This part just surprised me with its rugged rock ridges and vast alpine features. It is far enough from the main bulk of Mt Rainier, and reminded me of hiking in the Canadian Rockies. It was already mid August, but there was still snow fields to cross and a little pond was half covered with snow. Our two daughters decided to dip into the icy water, and played with the floating snow islands. >>continue...