Waterfalls, 2021

 

 

Mt. Rainier

 

 

 Sign across the street from Grove of the Patriarchs pointing the way to Silver Falls

 

If the weather and the pandemic have taught us anything, it is to be patient and flexible.  Last week our plan was to hike to Silver Falls in Rainier National Park and from there continue up to the Grove of the Patriarchs where there are a number of huge old growth trees.  We have hiked here previously and parked in the day-use lot for Silver Falls.  However, far more people are trying to get out and get some exercise and we discovered that the day-use lot was completely filled.  We were early and still no place to park.  About 5 miles down the road is the parking area for Grove of the Patriarchs.  We adjusted our plan to walk down to see the falls and return to visit the Grove.  As it turned out we were lucky to get the last parking place for the Grove. 

 

 

 Coming from the top and walking down toward Silver Falls one of the first views is of the incredible color of the water flowing down the canyon.  

View from the viewing area as one starts up the other side of the river

View from the bridge that crosses over the Ohanapecosh River

 

This is a popular area but I do not think we have ever seen so many people there.  We hiked down to the falls and were counting people and dogs.  There are signs stating that pets are not allowed but that does not seem to stop some people with dogs.  After counting about 100 hikers we stopped trying to see how many more people there might be.  We also adjusted our goal a second time, deciding not to go to the Grove after we returned to the parking area from the falls.  Too many people.  Where to go, what to do?  Originally, we were going to return home via the same route we took and stopping for an ice cream cone.  Change in plans, we drove around Mt.Rainier and stopped at Falls Creek, Box Canyon, Narada Falls, Christine Falls and Reflection Lakes.   We admired the frozen lakes but did not get out of the car to take pictures or walk on snow.   Short little walks to look at the beautiful waterfalls.  We did not factor in snow.  As a result, we could not hike down to the viewing platform at Narada Falls.  Not even very many younger people were trying to do so. 

 

 

 Falls Creek

 Box Canyon, 180 ft below 

The upper section of Narada Falls.   Snow covered a steep section of the trail down to the lower viewing platform and prevented us from getting there.

 

Lower Christine Falls

Upper Christine Falls as seen from the bridge

 

Total miles 1.7 with an elevation gain of 300 ft.

 

This turned out to be a spectacular day for flower hunting.  We saw 42 different kinds of flowers. 

 

 

This dead tree has lost most of its bark and is exposing the beautiful spiral growth pattern

 

 The first Queen's Cup in bloom for this year

Bear Grass

Western Coral Root

Mountain daisy, white to lavender petals

 

Larkspur

This area is by Box Canyon and had the largest display of Larkspur and yellow Monkey Flower that we have seen anywhere.  The photo shows only a small section of the flowers that covered the entire hillside.  It was a surprise and delight to find.

Another surprise, several crops of bright Rock Penstemon

There were thousands of these delicate, lovely small Avalanche Lilies by Reflection Lakes

 

 And a few Tiger Lilies to top off the day

 

 

 

Count of hikers for the day?  We stopped counting at 100.  There were some dogs.  As a warning to dog owners, dogs are prohibited in the Park.  We have seen Park Rangers issuing tickets to people who take dogs out in the park.