Trip leader Judi (trail name: Songbird) reflected on the first day of Trip 7 (Tuesday):
“What a glorious day! We met at Kautz Creek parking lot for a delicious picnic lunch. Then we broke into two hiking groups. We have 19 hikers this year! The trail was wide, flat, and left lots of room for good conversation.
“When we reached the creek, which was dry (so sad), we enjoyed snacks and replenished with our water bottles.
“The weather couldn’t be better. Tonight [Wednesday], we will enjoy dinner at the lodge and then prepare for tomorrow.”
The day hikers’ Wednesday itinerary included:
7 a.m.: Breakfast at the National Park Inn at Longmire
8 a.m.: Gather to carpool to Paradise
Songbird said, “Yes, ‘Paradise!’ The Paradise area of Mt. Rainier National Park is the busiest area of the park. The drive is about 20 minutes up the mountain from the National Park Inn.
“Visit the Paradise visitor center and beautiful Paradise Inn. The visitor center has an excellent video presentation regarding Mt. Rainier, gifts, and a coffee shop. The Paradise Inn is a must see — it will remind you of other National Park Inns. It offers an excellent gift shop and a grab n’ go shop for coffee and snacks.”
8:45 a.m.: Gather in front of the Paradise visitor center for a hike to Myrtle Falls
Songbird said, “This is an easy ascent on asphalt trail. Bonus walk: If you want to hike further, we will divide into two groups. One group will return to the visitor center and the other will continue for another mile along the Vista Loop Trail.”
11 a.m.: Meet in front of the Paradise visitor center for a Ranger talk
12 p.m.: Picnic lunch
1:45 p.m.: Gather for the drive back to the National Park Inn at Longmire, which includes stops for a few must-see roadside attractions and short walks (Reflection Lake and Narada Falls)
4:30 p.m.: Arrive back at the National Park Inn at Longmire
5:15 p.m.: Dinner at the National Park Inn at Longmire (seating 4-6 people every 15 minutes)
7:15 p.m.: Evening Mindfulness Walk followed by card games, hot chocolate, and sharing and caring