Florence Peak - 2.15.2012
rodman's GPS route of our hike to Florence Peak in Mount Rainier National Park... 9.2 miles roundtrip, gaining 3920 feet of elevation.
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There is room for 4 cars to park at the Carbon River Ranger Station.
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Snowdog and BarbE gearing up.
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Information sign at the start of this hike... the West Boundary Trail starts out on the very short Rainforest Loop Trail.
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Talk about slippery.
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On the official West Boundary Trail now... where the trail steepens significantly.
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It didn't take very long to reach fresh snow... however, there wasn't very much of it.
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The only stream crossing on this trip.
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Big mushroom.
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A bunch of little mushrooms.
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BarbE and Snowdog are all smiles in this Winter Wonderland.
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There was sunshine above the forest canopy... but we just couldn't seem to touch it.
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Finally... some sunshine near the summit area.
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BarbE points to her watch... indicating that we need to stay on task.
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It got very steep just below the summit area.
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Recon and ragman reach the false summit.
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Recon, Snowdog, ragman and rodman on the false summit.
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What is that over there?
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That is the true summit... and we won't be going over there today... we don't care for light snow cover and ice on steep rock.
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Awesome view of Mount Rainier... Howard Peak in the left foreground... then Tolmie Peak behind Howard.
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Mount Rainier and two sherpani chicks.
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A closer look at Rainier.
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Time to head down into the clouds.
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Snowdog and ragman heading down from the summit area.
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The puncheon bridges never did thaw out... back on the Rainforest Loop Trail now... about 3 minutes from the car.
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