August 6, 2019 Glacier Basin, Mount Rainier solo hike

Somehow I landed a walk-up hiking permit for this lovely place, a section of Mount Rainier National Park I had not been to before. I’ve already hiked almost the Wonderland Trail, but this basin is sort of separate, so it was a new park of Rainier for me. This is also the trail for climbers going up Inter Glacier, one of two main climbing routes. I shared the trail occasionally with some pretty tired and dirty climbers. While there were more hikers than I’m used to, I was struck by the gender ratio. Many more women than men, more women couples, groups, solo hikers and one obviously from a tec company with custom gear and hand-tailored clothes. I heartily enjoyed it.

There was a side trip with views of a emerald blue unnamed lake and the Emmons Glacier, which forms the White River and has the largest area of any glacier in the lower 48.

Inter Glacier is a real moonscape with a short growing season makes for amazing wildflowers, mountain goats and stunning vistas. Trailhead is at White Rive Campground, 4315′, going to Glacier Camp at 5945′ so it’s not a killer climb. I still felt it well enough. Beyond the campground, the ‘glacial basin’ is stunning with views back down the valley and Rainier’s dome looming before me over Inter Glacier.

 

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