We kept saying that we needed to go for a backpacking trip and finally after too many seasons of procrastinating we loaded our packs, cooler and hiking gear and set off for Mount Rainier. We joined our friends, Tim & Lindsay, on July 10th - after battling Seattle traffic for 4 hours - at Mt. Rainier White River Campground. We spent the evening setting up camp and figuring out our hiking plan for the next day. We stayed up late enjoying the fire, smells of the forest and having a grand time. Saturday morning we woke up bright and early, ate a hearty breakfast, made lunches, loaded up our packs and headed for Bouillon Basin. We hiked approximately 13 miles, gained about 1560 feet in elevation, saw some amazing views of Mt. Rainier, suffered some bruises, sunburn and sore feet. There was one tricky section of the trail that was pretty scary for me, but by facing with my back towards the down slope and looking up the cliff, I managed to make it around the corner and down the very rocky, steep section. Thanks for encouraging me everyone! :-) The dogs did amazingly on the first day; they enjoyed playing in Snow Lake towards the end of the hike and playing in several of the snow drifts we came across. We ended the day by sponge-bathing in the sinks in the restrooms at the campground and sitting by the fire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.
Day two Nick was very sore and decided to sit out our hike and we almost didn't hike either due to the fog, wind and very cold temperatures. However, with reassurances from the ranger Tim, Lindsay and I decided to go ahead and stick with our hike of Sourdough Gap. This trail was pretty disconcerting for me as it was pretty much single file and we had to walk with the dogs behind us; cliff edge to the left or right and straight up on the other side. However, the views once we got up through the fog were unbelievable! You could see the valley filled with fog, the slopes covered in wildflowers, pine trees and snow in spots. We made great time as we climbed through the trees and ended up near Sheep Lake where the dogs enjoyed a romp in the water and we had a nice little rest. We decided to go ahead and continue hiking up to another lake, Crystal Lake, and eat lunch there before heading back to the parking lot. We came to the peak of Sourdough Gap and the trail abruptly ended in a sharp curve with a continuation onto the Pacific Crest Trail. We decided to keep going and ended up having to cross the snow slope of death. Essentially there was a steep drop off that was covered in snow and the way across it was to step in the other peoples' footprints. I was utterly terrified, but started across the slope with Jack following; about 1/2 way across Jack decided to try and pass me and started sliding down the slope. Immediately my panic level skyrocketed and I completely froze in place; Lindsay came back to where I was, took Jack from me and coaxed me across (THANK YOU LINS!!). We arrived at another peaked corner with no views of the lake in site and starting to enter National Park land; we decided to turn back around and eat lunch at Sheep Lake and then head back. Our hike out was excellent with great views of the valley again as we descended back into the fog; when we got back to the parking lot we were greeted by fog, wind and cold temperatures. We all parted ways and headed home to warm showers, soft beds and lots of rest. We had a great time and are looking forward to the next adventure!
