Transitioning to from Blogger site to a dot com

As I'm sure you have noticed that I've have not been very active over here and I'm truly sorry about that I've been working on moving everything from here to a new website Our Hiking Adventures. This is a learning process for me and I would love it you would follow me as we make this move together.

Franklin Falls

At Denny Creek Campground there are bathrooms
Time on the trail 3 hours
Length of trail: About 2 Miles
Elevation: 400 ft Gain

Don't forget to bring 10 Essentials for Hiking and Forestry Pass for your trip.

This trail was pretty busy the day we went considering it was raining. This hike is a favorite among many family with tiny humans, it's also great for anyone that wants a easy day hike with a stunning view. The descent to the base of the falls is a 70 foot drop.I would suggest getting there early would be a good idea so you can get a parking spot and the trail not be crowed.

I love this bridge!

The trail follows the south fork of the Snoqualmie River for about a mile. In this area we saw a family playing in the wearing wetsuits.

There are several slower moving spots on the creek that are great for little guys to touch the water.

It was most defiantly a rain boots and jacket kind of day some how his shirt got a little wet.

This water fall is beautiful but it's a little difficult to take a little guy super close to it because the rocks are slippery and at a slop.

While hiking with my son I've learned some helpful trick to keep him happy.

Driving Directions

From Seattle, head east on I-90 to exit 47 Denny Creek/Tinkham Road. At the top of the exit ramp turn left and cross over the freeway. Go .2 miles and turn right at the stop sign onto Forest Road 58. The road crosses under the freeway and after .2 miles turn left. Continue ahead for 2.4 miles and take a left just after Denny Creek Campground and arrive at the Franklin Falls trailhead.

Carbon River Rainforest Loop & Old Mine

Carbon River Rainforest Loop & Old Mine

At Carbon River Entrance there are bathroom, trash, and picnic table
Time on the trail 4 hours this included lunch and general exploring of the river
Length of trail: About 3 Miles
Elevation 300 Gain
Animals Seen on the trail: Squirrels

Don't forget to bring 10 Essentials for Hiking and entrance fee for Mount Rainier for your trip.
Carbon River Area Trails

As you will notice we did both hikes on two separate days my suggestion is if you are going to venture down the Old Carbon River Road you first take the kiddos on Rain Forest Loop it's flat and about a 1/4 of a mile long. There are little signs that tell you information about the local pants and history. I didn't get a chance to read them because my son was running the trail all 4 times we did it. Since he was only 2 at the time he was a little worn out by the end of it. He loved this trail because there are many bridges and there was plenty of interesting looking mushrooms to look at. 

Woody was our adventure friend last year

Last of the huckle berries from the summer

Adventure is always on the horizon

Now we off on our adventure to the old mine 

  

The Carbon River Road used to be open but in November of 2006 there was some extreme flooding that happened in the park and this is one of the areas.

The first mile of the trail is pretty flat with lot of shade.

As you approach the old mine trail head you will see an old parking lot

Sometimes you have to take a cute trail head photo.

The trail it's self leading up to mine is very well maintained. It does get a little steep but nothing to bad Little Dude was able to do it all on his own we a couple breaks.

In the early 1900's there where well over a hundred claims within the boundaries of Mt Rainier National Park according to the NPS website.The Carbon River Old Mine was one of the most aggressive mines in the northern part of the park but like many of the other mines within the park it. During 1908 and 1909 the Washington Mining and Milling Co. employed 7 - 15 people, they built several building and a mine shaft that lead back 250 feet. There was little if not any minerals found at this site. Operation of this site stop in 1913. In 1950 is the next time this mine is rediscovered by a Park Ranger named Aubrey Haines when W.E. Potthoff gave during a visit to the Carbon River Ranger Station he told Haines that he had worked in the mine in that area. After some searching Aubrey Haines found the mine in either 1950 or 1951. At that time he saw the several building that had remained unused for many years. By the 1980's the building were all going. Now there is no trace that there was building at all.

While hiking with my son I've learned some helpful trick to keep him happy.

Direction 

To get there, take I-5 South to I-405. From I-405 take SR 167 south toward Auburn. In 20 miles take the SR 410 Exit toward Sumner/Yakima. Follow SR 410 for 12 miles to SR 165. Take a right and continue on SR 165 for about 10 miles through Wilkeson and Carbonado to the Carbon River Road/Mowich Lake Road junction. Veer left onto the Carbon River Road and follow for 7.7 miles to the Carbon River Entrance of Mt. Rainer and parking

Frozen Lake and Shadow Lake

At Sunrise there are bathroom, trash, gift shop, and restaurant
Time on the trail 4 hours
Length of trail: About  3.5 Miles

Elevation 500 Gain
Animals Seen on the trail deer pikas and squirrels

Don't forget to bring 10 Essentials for Hiking and entrance fee for Mount Rainier for your trip.

After having ice cream at Sunrise Visitor Center we where ready for another adventure so we set off to do the Sunrise Nature Trail well as I was reading the signs to my little guy he decided to he wanted to see Frozen Lake so we changed our plans as we stood taking in all the view of Mount Rainier the Sourdough Range and all the wildflowers. 

Sunrise Area Trails

Lupine & Mount Rainier

Doe a deer a female deer

Red Paintbrush & Lupine 

Frozen Lake


We made it to frozen lake and instead of turning around we decided to go down to the Sunrise camp grounds and Shadow Lake. For this portion I would suggest that you make sure that the trail is free of snow before setting out. We had to cross 2 snow fields in July. The visitors center has some awesome rangers that are able to answer all kinds of questions about the trails.

Looking up at the ridge from Sunrise camp grounds

Shadow Lake

 Once we got down to Shadow Lake I noticed that the sun was getting low in the sky although we had head lamps and put them I also made the decision to put my Little Dude on my shoulders and pack him out the rest of the way.

A Beautiful Meadow

Mount Rainier

We made it off the trail before it was dark and back to sunrise point to take a peak of the sunset which is beautiful from that spot.





While hiking with my son I've learned some helpful trick to keep him happy.

Driving Directions

From Enumclaw, drive east 43 miles on State Route 410 to the Mount Rainier National Park White River Entrance. Veer right onto the Sunrise Road and follow it 17 miles west to the large parking lot and visitor center at the road's end. Note: Sunrise Road usually doesn't open until early July.

Sunrise Lake Hike

No Bathroom or Picnic Table at the trail head but sunrise is about a 10 minute drive.
Time on the trail 1 1/2 hours
Length of trail 1 1/2 Miles
Elevation Gain 425
Animals Seen on the trail Pikas and Squirrels

Don't forget to bring 10 Essentials for Hiking and entrance fee for Mount Rainier for your trip.

This hike has amazing views starting off at the parking lot we could Mount Adams, Mount Rainier and then look over the edge and see Sunrise Lake. That was plus when hiking with a little guy that sometimes impatient as we are hiking. It is pretty much easy work getting to the lake because it's all downhill. While at Sunrise Lake you can't see Mount Rainier but you do get some wonder views of the Sourdough Ridge and the lake is beautiful too. If you wanted to spend more time down in this area I would suggest checking out Clover Lake which is a mile further down the trail.  We decided to only go to Sunrise Lake and go get Ice Cream at Sunrise visitor center.  

Sunrise Area Trails

What a difference 3 weeks can make

From Sunrise point you can see Mount Rainier and Mount Adams

I think we can walk to the summit on that trail

All the beautiful wildflowers summer has to offer in mountains

He was a Hiking Pirate this day 

Do you see Sunrise Lake

I love this lake

He's going for it

Beautiful clear water at Sunrise Lake

Magenta Paintbrush and Sunrise Lake

This flower always reminds me of my Grandma Opal

On our way to Sunrise

Red Paintbrush

While hiking with my son I've learned some helpful trick to keep him happy.

Driving Directions
From Enumclaw, drive east 43 miles on State Route 410 to the Mount Rainier National Park White River Entrance. Veer right onto the Sunrise Road and follow it 17 miles west to the large parking lot and visitor center at the road's end. Note: Sunrise Road usually doesn't open until early July.