One of the more humorous and fun adventures that we partook in, upon moving to Washington, was the “discovery” of Mt. Rainier. As we were camping at Cottonwood Campground on Hwy 410, (July 1991) waiting for our house to be vacant, it was natural to want to see what was further up the road. Kate heard that the road was one of the routes to get to Mt. Rainier, Washington’s signature mountain.
One day we left camp to explore in the opposite direction from our usual treks into Yakima. Heading up that beautiful highway, we marveled at the scenery and tumbling Naches River. Passing Bumping Road, the entrance to BSA Camp Fife, little did we know about the wonderful future part that place would play in Dan’s and our lives.
Arriving at Chinook Pass, the top of the road before it falls into Mt. Rainier Ntl. Park, we were amazed to find snow but despondent not to have seen Mt. Rainier. Everyone needed a stretch and so we exited the car and took a short hike to Sheep Lake, about a mile. All along the trail we marveled at the steep rock pinnacles surrounding us.. Becca and Daniel had a ball sliding down the remnant snows of winter that clothed the slopes by the parking lot. They decided that this new home was pretty cool to have snow in the summer. Kate and I drank in the awesome scenery of our newly adopted state. We decided that we had “done good.”
However, there was some disappointment at not finding either the National Park entrance or seeing Mt. Rainier itself. At Kate’s suggestion we decided to go a few more miles to see if we could find the park. Around the very next bend (but hidden from sight by the hills) we discovered the rustic log arch entry that crossed the road and announced the park. Well, so far so good; now to see if we could catch a glimpse of the fabled fire mountain.
Rounding two more bends in the road, OH, MY GOD! …startling us and practically filling the entire windshield was that majestic beauty!!!!! It was awesome, breath-taking, humbling and just way toooooooo beautiful! It looked almost as if it was right next to the car when in reality it’s 14,000+ feet as many miles away. We just stopped the car at the side of the road and quietly drank in the beauty of that monolith. It was as if we were prehistoric peoples catching a first glimpse of the unearthly spectacle. I do not remember the kids uttering a word. If they were like me, they were held speechless in awe.
Finally, reluctantly, we turned the car around and headed back to camp. I know that we vowed to come back soon and explore the park and the mountain. In the subsequent years we did venture many places there and Kate, with Kim, friends and the Cascadians hiked many trails. Even as recently as two years ago (2010) Kate and I have gone back to what has become a religious place, holy ground. Both of us hope to return. Sadly, we were never given the credit and fame for “discovering” Mt. Rainier. Life has its inequities.
JP 12-22-2011
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