A New Year, and Snow!

Longmire, Mt Rainier

Nothing beats a fresh coating of powder for the 1st winter outing. Skiers in the Rockies understand the beauty of powder. Here on the wet side of the cascades, powder is a gift we rarely receive. So imagine our surprise as my sister and I made our first few steps around Longmire Meadow. The snow had drifted into nice large piles of powdery snow - perfect for a pair of juvenile middle-ages women to start making snow angels and finding any excuse to "trip" and fall into it.

So much fun! After a loop around the meadow, we decided to head over to the Nisqually River through the forest. We had to play around down in the fresh unbroken snow along the river banks. I broke trail first and sank up to my knees. Then Kristi broke trail; I had to laugh at how much snow her snowshoes were kicking up onto her back - she looked like an abominable snow-woman heading up the river.

Not ready to quit yet, we then crossed over the river on the bridge to make a loop through the old campground. Never knew why the park stopped using this campground, but we played and laughed and stood silent amongst the trees before returning for some much needed hot chocolate.

Snow season has begun.

I think I've been here before . . .

Rampart Ridge Loop 6/3/07 5 miles

Last year, Michael & I made yet another attempt at the westside section of the Wonderland Trail. We started out at Longmire and made our way up Rampart Ridge, slowly climbing through the trees with gravity and the extra weight of our packs pulling us back down the hill. Once we made it to the top of the ridge, we knew we were well on our way into our trip.

As the Nisqually entrance opened the previous month, I thought it might be a good trip to head back to the Rampart Ridge and continue on through the loop as it traveled the ridge and back down to the Longmire meadows.

Once we hit the trail, the feel of our previous trip flooded back into my mind - the slow pace up the hill, the gravity pulling us back, the trees stretching above our heads, the breeze slipping through the branches. I could also remember the sense of excitement of starting out on a new adventure. And here we were, at the top of the ridge. Instead of heading north, this time we turned west and sauntered along the ridgeline to fabulous views of Mt Rainier and Longmire Village with the Nisqually River, that was a raging torrent in November now a sliver through the rock connecting the two views.

I love hiking at Mt Rainier and look forward to a summer filled with mountain hikes.

A Story to Tell

Trail of Shadows 5/5/07 .7 miles

After touring the damage on Mt Rainier, Michael & I walked around the Trail of Shadows near Longmire. The Trail of Shadows is a short nature trail that encircles the mineral springs which brought James Longmire and his family to settle in the area.

After leading a group of climbers to the mountain, Longmire went in search of his horse which had wandered off during the days of climbing, as horses will do. He found the horse grazing near the mineral springs, a feature of the area that had up until now been hidden from history's gaze. He later brought his family to homestead in the area with dreams of opening a resort. Mineral baths were all the rage in the latter half of the 19th century.

Now all that remain of Longmire's original dream are a few bathing areas and an old cottage. But the dream is still alive in the remembrances of the dreamer. Michael & I meandered through the old growth forest past the cabin and the baths. We gazed out over the meadow and watched as the discolored water bubbled to the surface. And at each sign we stopped to read what story there was to tell.

It's that way with all nature trails. Take time to stop along the way and meander along a short trail; read the signs. The history you learn keeps the dreamer in all of us alive for it is in the telling that a story breathes life.