Mount Rainier, mostly covered by clouds
For this week's hike, Elain proposed something a little longer than our previous two hikes to Mt. Dickerman and Granite Mountain. Elain saw a trip report on the Web for Mount Aix, one of the higher peaks east of Mount Rainier. The hike is 12 miles round-trip, and involves 4200' of net elevation gain. On the drive over Chinook Pass, we had a nice (but brief) view of Mount Rainier's east side, and the massive Emmons Glacier. The last mile to the trailhead was on rock-studded dirt road, but the Saturn did not fail us. We were hiking by 9:30 AM. It was cool in the morning, with no wind. We crested over Nelson Ridge within two hours, and finally got a glimpse of Mount Aix. A nice trail traversed around the mountain and gave us access to the summit from the east. There was no snow anywhere on the mountain or the surrounding area, so it was a good thing that Elain carried six liters of water. We were on the summit by 12:45 PM. After a short break, we started down. Most other hikers were taking the "scramble route" which goes directly up the summit block from the northwest, but we retraced our steps and took the hiking trail back down, because of my weak leg. On the way down from Nelson Ridge we periodically heard fighter jets going overhead, but we couldn't see them due to the clouds. I slowed down a bit in the last two miles, but we made it to the car by 4:45 PM. Much of this hike was above treeline, with beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Mount Rainier, mostly covered by clouds
Elain on the approach to Nelson Ridge
Steve hiking up towards Mount Aix
Steve on the summit
Elain on the summit