The idea was that raptors should be soaring in the afternoon in the passes at Sunrise today so Bruce and I headed that way. It was a slightly overcast day so thoughts of Black swift were in mind also. It was warm not hot, and a nice breeze, so a great day for a hike, Read More…
Category: Mount Rainier
Great Hike and Lousy Birding at Sunrise Today
Today I planned to get up at 4:30 AM to head for Sunrise and beat the crowds and catch the early birds. I forgot to set my alarm, and didn’t wake up until 5;30 so it was a bit before 8 AM when I got to the Sunrise parking lot. Still I was optimistic as Read More…
Sunrise: First Mt. Rainier Hike of 2017
Today I finally broke free for a trip to the mountain. I’ve done well on the lowland birds in Pierce this year, but had yet to break free for a hike. I left home at 5 AM today, and got to Sunrise about 6:45 after several unsuccessful stops on the ride up hoping to hear Read More…
Bushwhacking Around Government Meadow
Today Ken, Bruce and I went to try for the woodpeckers seen recently at Government Meadows. Bruce drove and we got to the horse camp 19 miles on FR 70 on the left off Hwy 410. The first 10 miles are paved, then it’s dirt but a pretty good road. Note-to-self to stay straight at Read More…
Lake Eleanor Hike to Grand Park with Jean
Today Jean and I went to the Lake Eleanor trailhead to hike into Grand Park. It was a beautiful day, we got to the trailhead about 9:50 AM, and we got as far as the lowest meadow of the Grand Park complex, about a 7.5 mile round trip hike. Birding was slow, but the wildflowers Read More…
Sunrise Mt. Rainier Today
Bruce Labar and I birded Sunrise today, going from the parking lot, up the upper trail to Frozen Lake, then the trail to Fremont Lookout, and then back via the trail through the Sunrise campground. Overall a sunny, very warm day with little breeze. Views terrific, birding overall pretty slow. The best birding of the Read More…
Great Day, Great Birds, Bad Photos at Lake Eleanor Trail
Sunrise Mt. Rainier Today
Today I finally got my first Mt. Rainier hike in, getting to Sunrise about 8 AM and hiking up the top trail to Frozen Lake, going a bit toward Burrows Mountain until snow stopped me, then going about half way to Fremont Lookout until entering a cloud and turning back. Highlights were great looks at Read More…