Banshee Peak - 7.11.2009

aPoint7400MRNP700x525.jpg
Our general route and not a GPS route... from Panhandle Gap above Summerland, Banshee Peak is Point 7400+, ~1.5 miles east of the gap... ~14 miles roundtrip, gaining ~4000 feet of elevation.
IMG_1573.jpg
Drive 3 miles from Mt. Rainier's White River entrance and park (3800') just beyond the Fryingpan Creek bridge.
IMG_1578.jpg
After hiking 3 miles Denali Girl crosses Fryingpan Creek on a footbridge.
IMG_1581.jpg
Little Tahoma just before starting up the switchbacks to Summerland.
IMG_1584.jpg
Mt. Rainier just before starting up the switchbacks to Summerland.
IMG_1589a.jpg
Lots of Glacier Lilies on the switchbacks up to Summerland.
IMG_1593.jpg
Little Tahoma and Mt. Rainier from Summerland.
IMG_1596.jpg
After 4 miles of hiking, Denali Girl enters Summerland.
IMG_1599.jpg
The shelter at Summerland.
IMG_1603.jpg
The Innkeeper at the Summerland Shelter.
IMG_1609.jpg
Denali Girl continues towards Panhandle Gap.
IMG_1611.jpg
The Fryingpan Glacier keeps the water running in Summerland.
IMG_1614.jpg
Waterfall in Summerland.
IMG_1623.jpg
Denali Girl crossing a footbridge on the way to Panhandle Gap... Mt. Ruth in the distance on the left... west end of Goat Island Mtn in the right foreground.
IMG_1628b.jpg
The tarn at 6300' is starting to melt.
IMG_1629.jpg
Denali Girl takes a break at the tarn... Panhandle Gap in the distance on the right.
IMG_1638.jpg
Denali Girl nearing Panhandle Gap... Little Tahoma and Mt. Rainier behind.
IMG_1640.jpg
Panhandle Gap is just above the corniced ridge on the left.
IMG_1642.jpg
We are looking thru the gap just east of Panhandle Gap... and can see Banshee Peak above.
IMG_1645.jpg
We decided to use the gap east of Panhandle Gap and will have to deal with this jumble of rocks.
IMG_1646.jpg
Denali Girl crossing the boulder field... with Third Burroughs Mtn in the distance thru the gap.
IMG_1657.jpg
Denali Girl is off of the boulder field and working on the snow.
IMG_1661.jpg
Looks like an easy walk from here to get up to the ridge.
IMG_1663.jpg
Looking back on the gap (far right) we came through... Mt. Adams on the far left.
IMG_1669.jpg
A closeup of Rainier's Emmons Glacier.
IMG_1673.jpg
Part of the Tatoosh Range... with Mt. St. Helens in the distance on the far right.
IMG_1681.jpg
A pano shot looking back towards Panhandle Gap as we head for Banshee Peak.
IMG_1682.jpg
Denali Girl takes a break.
IMG_1683a.jpg
We reached the ridge (7200') and see the Central Cowlitz Chimney (7421') on the left, Point 7240+, the Main Cowlitz Chimney (7605') and Banshee Peak (Point 7431+) on the right.
IMG_1683c.jpg
Melt on the Sarvent Glaciers.
IMG_1688.jpg
The Central Cowlitz Chimney and the Main Cowlitz Chimney from Banshee Peak.
IMG_1690.jpg
The Tatoosh Range... Mt. St. Helens in the distance... Ohanapecosh Park in the valley below.
IMG_1691.jpg
Mt. Rainier with a cap... clouds are starting to form.
IMG_1693.jpg
Part of the Sarvent Galciers... looking across Goat Island Mtn to Burroughs Mtn and Mt. Freemont.
IMG_1694.jpg
Denali Girl on the Banshee Peak summit... with the Main Cowlitz Chimney behind.
IMG_1695a.jpg
Tamanos Mtn on the left, part of the Sarvent Glaciers and the Central Cowlitz Chimney.
IMG_1701.jpg
First Burroughs Mtn and Mt. Freemont on the left... and the line of bumps from Sunrise Point to Sunrise.
IMG_1710.jpg
Denali Girl leaving the Banshee Peak summit.
IMG_1718a.jpg
Paintbrush.
IMG_1726.jpg
Denali Girl is almost at Panhandle Gap... with Banshee Peak in the distance.
IMG_1728.jpg
Goats hanging out on the south side of Panhandle Gap.
IMG_1734.jpg
I gave back a little elevation to get a closer look at the goats.
IMG_1746.jpg
Denali Girl on the north side of Panhandle Gap.
IMG_1749.jpg
The clouds are starting to take control.
IMG_1752.jpg
Looking back on Panhandle Gap... 5 miles left to get back to the car.