Pyramid Peak - 7.22.2009
rodman's GPS route for Pyramid Peak in Mt. Rainier Nat Park... 14.5 miles roundtrip, gaining 4511 feet of elevation.
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Drive a short distance beyond the Longmire entrance to the park... turn left on the Westside road and drive ~3 miles to where the road is gated (2880').
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Walk the road for 1.1 miles... at the first hairpin turn in the road (3200'), enter the woods on the right side of the road and look for these signs.
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In an eighth of a mile come out of the woods and follow red ribbons for the next eighth of a mile.
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This is where you reenter the woods... if you lose track of the red ribbons, backtrack and look harder for them.
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The foot bridges have definitely not been maintained... but the trail is in good shape for being in the "unmaintained" category.
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At 3.3 miles, reach the junction with the Wonderland Trail... continue towards Indian Henry's Hunting Ground.
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A short walk on the Wonderland Trail brought us to the suspension bridge (4200')... BarbE and rodman discuss who should cross it first.
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Mt. Rainier as we gain elevation towards Indian Henry's Hunting Ground.
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rodman, BarbE and avalanche lilies near Indian Henry's.
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At 5 miles (5280'), take the trail to Mirror Lakes.
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Mt. Rainier from Indian Henry's Hunting Ground.
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Mt. Rainier with Pyramid Peak on the right.
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At 5.7 miles (5400'), we arrived at the larger of the Mirror Lakes.
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Lots of water sources on this hike.
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We are getting closer to Pyramid Peak.
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Bear Grass.
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rodman and BarbE... with Iron Mtn and Copper Mtn in the distance.
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The flowers were abundant.
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BarbE and rodman near the Pyramid Peak summit.
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At 7 miles, BarbE and rodman reach the roomy Pyramid Peak summit (6937')... with Mt. Rainier behind.
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A pano shot of Mt. Rainier from Pyramid Peak... Glacier Island in the left foreground.
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Tokaloo Spire and Tokaloo Rock from Pyramid Peak.
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The lower part of the South Tahoma Glacier... which separates Pyramid Peak from Glacier Island.
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Looking across the Tatoosh Range to Goat Rocks and Mt. Adams.
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rodman and BarbE coming down from the Pyramid Peak summit.
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BarbE and rodman return to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground... Pyramid Peak in the distance.
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BarbE takes a last look at Pyramid Peak.
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We decided to take the short walk over to the Indian Henry's Patrol Cabin... isn't the porch facing in the wrong direction?
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Back at the suspension bridge... 3.3 miles left to get back to the car.
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