Adventures Around The Sunrise Area & The White River Campgrounds.

The sense of adventure runs deep in my soul on Friday I had a wonderful opportunity to see it emerge out of my son in one of my favorite places Mt. Rainier. Our hike  to Sunrise Lake was cut short due to this mommas lack of planning the trail started off some small patches of snow on that where fun and easy to cross while see where the trail picked back up on the other side.Then we came to a point in the trail where it become very unsafe for us to continue on so we turned back.

This is where I made the executive decision to not go on

We then went and played in the snow at the picnic area at Sunrise after playing and exploring our pants where soaked.

We needed to warm up so we got back in the car and drove to the white river campgrounds where we both need to make a quick potty break stop at. After we where done using the bathroom Ethan saw a bunch of climbers walking from a trail and he decided we need to explore the trail. As we where walking up the trail we talked with a couple of the climbers. They didn't make it to the summit due to bad weather, and no visibility for one of the climbers this was his second attempt at summiting Rainier. It put a smile on his face to see such a young boy being so eager to play and explore in the woods. The trail we where on was the Glacier Basin Trail we walked, and ran for about 30 minutes on the trail than headed back to the car. As far as we got the trail was pretty flat and very easy to follow. The Glacier Basin Trail is 6 Round trip with a 1600 feet in elevation gain.  I see this as a future trail that we will do but for now 6 miles round trip is a little much Ethan.

I think there is going to be lots of beautiful summer wildflower this year around sunrise.

Tips for Hiking with Kids

Grove of the Patriarchs Loop

This trail was a lot of fun lots with a minimal amount of elevation gain of 50 feet and only about 1.5 miles long. It took us about 90 minutes to do this hike. This is a great hike for little legs in my opinion.

The Grove of Patriarchs has a few fun features such as a suspension bridge to cross over the Ohanapecosh River and very large trees some of them are 40 feet around and stand nearly 300 feet. There are also couple of spots where the trail gets close to the river where kids throw rocks in the water.  At the trail head there is bathrooms with running water and picnic tables where we at lunch and saw some stellar blue jays.

Pass for Mount Rainier National Park is required for this trail it's currently $15 for a pass that is good for 7 days or there is an annual pass for $30.

Driving Directions:

From Enumclaw, drive east about 47 miles on State Route 410 to the junction with SR 123 at Cayuse Pass. Stay right (straight ahead) to merge onto SR 123-Cayuse Pass Highway. Drive south about 11.5 miles to the junction with the Stevens Canyon Road. Turn right (west) and pass through the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the park. About 0.25 mile from SR 123, park in the lot on the north side of the road.
From Ohanapecosh, drive north 2 miles on SR 123 to the Stevens Canyon Road. Turn left (west) and pass through the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the park. About 0.25 mile from SR 123, park in the lot on the north side of the road.
Note: SR 123 was severely damaged by the November 2006 floods. Although the road has been reopened, call to check on road conditions. Park Headquarters 360.569.2211

For current fee into  Mt. Rainier National Park click on this link
For current trail condition check out Washington Trail Association 

Tips for Hiking with kids

14 Tips for Hiking with Kids

1. FOOD - some snack and lunch ideas PBJ's Bagels, tortilla ham, and cheese wraps, sting cheese, cut up carrots, grapes, fruit snacks, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix

2. WATER - Little guys get dehydrated easy so make sure to bring plenty

3. WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES - If there is going to be water or mud near the trail you might want an extra pair of shoes for the little one I know my guy is attracted to the mud. I like to have a pair of saddles waiting for me in the car so my feet can breath after a hike.


4. Keep on the look out for interesting things on the trail such as ferns, bugs, holes and critters

5. CAMERA - bring a camera or just use your phone.

6. ADVENTURE PACK - some ideas for the adventure pack play binoculars, play compass, favorite small toy, books related to outdoors, kids camera, bug catcher, magnifying glass, water bottle and one snack item. Normally my son has a pack with a water bottle and snacks  

7. PLAY GAMES  & SING SONGS, monster-jumping-out-from-behind-a-bush, find-the-hidden-trail, ants go marching two-by-two—you name it. Almost any silly antic will distract young hikers from remembering how hungry, tired, or bored they are.

8. LENGTH  - When choosing the length of the hike pick one that is suitable for the youngest hiker

9. REMEMBER WHY YOU'RE THERE - You’re there to hike with kids. Outside, in the fresh air, for fun.

10. CARRIER - If you plan on doing a hike that may be a little to difficult for the little legs that are with a carrier will help you complete the hike.

11. BRING FRIENDS-  Hiking with friends always makes the a hike fun and a great way to share an experience. I noticed that when hiking with friends my son is distracted by the friends and is willing to go longer.

12. CHOOSING A HIKE - Pick a hike with something interesting to hike to such as a lake, river, or waterfall.

13. LAYER UP - kids get hot quickly but they also cool down in the shadows pretty quickly too.

14. STICK - Don't forget to find a stick it can and maybe used as a walking stick, pointing stick a magic wand or even a sword.


BONUS TIP - Just have fun exploring and don't worry about the destination.

BONUS #2 Keeping Kids Entertained on the Trail 

If you are hiking on Federal or State lands you may need to get a pass in Washington here are some of the most common passes used Passes for Hiking

Hobbit Village at Federation Forest State Park

The Hobbit Village in Federation Forest State Park was a hike that was done on June 18, 2014 and this is the second time we have done this hike although the is near flat the trail does have other issues such mud holes, bridge out and blow downs the trails are used enough that if you come to an issue there is a path that will lead you around it. I had a blast hiking today with a friend from high school and her 3 monkeys.

-----UPDATE----
I've gotten some feedback from people and I've heard that its difficult to find the Hobbit Village. I then went to trusty google and tried to find someone that had already posted easy direction to Hobbit Village and found out that many experienced hikers have had troubles finding it each time. So far I've found the trail all 4 times we've been there and we've seen the Village 3 times.

I took a picture of the map on the hiker board outside the Interpretive Center.
From the Interpretive Center wanted to follow the West Trail but getting to it is weird.

Start Here

Turn Right toward the Natches Trail, Wind in the Woods Loo Trail and Esther Maltby.

 

Keep going forward toward the Natches Trail, Wind in the Woods Loo Trail and Esther Maltby.

 

Go Left  and you'll find the Fred Cleator Interpretive Trails Sign.

 

When you find this big guy look for the West Loop 1 Mile sign.

 

You made it to the West Trail keep going!

 

Go right for the nature trail.

 

Turn Right to go through the Greenlees Grove and toward the highway parking area.

 

Go forward don't turn  left 

 

The other parking lot is off to the right and so is 410.
You made it to the beginning of the Gnome Trail to Hobbit Village.
At this point it's the trail that is much more narrow.

The little boys on the hike holding hands. 

MUD in one spot my son was trying to just go through it and he lost a boot.
No worries it was pulled out of the mud and put back on.

As your approaching the village you'll see this hush tree face.

This was a little scene was on a turned over tree. 

I personally have a love for the WTA and I thought this was cute

Superman stole my hat.

Got Mail.

It's fun for kids take a to leave Gnome.

To get there, take I-5 South to I-405 North, merging onto SR 167 after 2 miles. Follow 167 a little less than 20 miles to Highway 410 East. Follow 410 through Enumclaw for just over 23 miles. Around milepost 41, find well-signed Federation Forest State Park on the right-hand side of the highway.

For current tail on conditions WTA Trail Reports

Don't forget the 10 Essentials for Hiking

A Discovery Pass is needed for this trail

Tips for Hiking with Kids