Bench and Snow Lakes (Mount Rainier)

[weathercrazy]

And oldie, but a goodie haha

This is from October 5th, 2014.

All pics from this trip:

http://weathercrazy.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Rainier-1014

The fall colors were simply stunning on this trip, along with the sunny skies. I opted to wait till later in the day to do this hike because I had always done it early in the morning, and wanted to see different light. Being a weekend, it was a little crowded for me.

This trail is only 2.8 miles RT with 700' of elevation gain, but to me, more annoying because it has so much up and down

Of course, never a clear day for me...



On the trail, no wonder it took me so long to hike this, I kept stopping for photos.



Bench Lake



Snow Lake





I LOOOOOOOOVE mountain hemlock trees...so much, I now have 4 in my yard...little baby guys.







Heading back...



I have a few secret places up there that I won't divulge. I missed the huckleberries, but that's okay, the fall colors were better!

[woodswalker]

I've been really loving your series on Mt Rainer!! Great photos as always. It exactly what I am looking for in a trip report for up there. It's on my list for next year for sure. It's a long way to go for a day hike from PDX so I didn't make it this year. But next year I'm going to car camp and do a bunch of those shortish day hikes. In alpine country my slow hiking style slows to a crawl. Unless I can talk one of my friends into pulling off some shared driving for a day trip
Woodswalker

[miah66]

Summer Tip: If you stand in Bench Lake, you get a view of the mountain.



Or you could wait until winter and walk out on it I suppose.

[weathercrazy]

There are lots of options! I usually have a list I do every year as the trails melt out. I went up there 10 times I think this year for 2-6 days each time. I always find it amazing!

I've been really loving your series on Mt Rainer!! Great photos as always. It exactly what I am looking for in a trip report for up there. It's on my list for next year for sure. It's a long way to go for a day hike from PDX so I didn't make it this year. But next year I'm going to car camp and do a bunch of those shortish day hikes. In alpine country my slow hiking style slows to a crawl. Unless I can talk one of my friends into pulling off some shared driving for a day trip
Woodswalker