Hike to Eagle Peak Saddle, Mount Rainier National Park, June 2023 | Sunshine and Mountains

Hello friends! The last day of June turned out to be a perfect day for this hike! I hiked it last year at the end of the summer, and it turned out to be the first day of wildfires in the area. They started overnight and I hadn't heard the news before I got started. The air was thick with smoke, and while I could see Mount Rainier, the air was hazy and I couldn't see any of the surrounding peaks. This time the air was fresh and clear and in addition to great views of Rainier, off to the south I could see Mount Adams, Mount Hood and Mount Saint Helens.

For those who don't know, when they say 'saddle' in geography, they mean the lowest point along a ridge or between two mountain peaks. Here, the maintained trail ends at the low point between two peaks and is a great place for a snack!

Wildflowers and critters:
Bear Grass
Avalanche Lily
Pink Mountain Heather
Spreading Phlox
Rosy Spirea
Bracted Lousewort
Oval leaf Blueberry
Red Columbine
Yellow Pine Chipmuck
Hermit Thrush
Partridgefoot
Nuttall's Lainthus


Hiked June 30, 2023
7.2 miles round trip
Starting elevation 2,800’ gain 2,900' (844 M)
Hard


Washington Trails Association - WTA - Eagle Peak Saddle
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/e...




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Jennifer Lupine - 2023.