Northern Loop

Jay Adventure!, Camping, Mount Rainier, Overnight Backpacking 2 Comments

July 27-29 2017

Earlier in 2017 I applied for permits to hike the Northern Loop at Mt Rainier. There are three major loops in the park. The Wonderland Trail, the Eastern Loop and the Northern Loop. Having already completed the Wonderland, I had my sights set on the Northern Loop. I invited my friend Lance from work and his wife Katie. The loop was just as hard as any section of the Wonderland. Part of the loop is on the Wonderland after all.

As always, click the images and use your left and right arrow keys to go through the images or just scroll down. Map is at the end of the post.

Lance and Katie
Great views from the Sourdough Ridge Trail
Sourdough Ridge Trail

This marmot sure looked like he was in a hurry
This marmot sure looked like he was in a hurry
This marmot sure looked like he was in a hurry
This marmot sure looked like he was in a hurry

The Winthrop Glacier
The White River
The White River
Lance crossing the White River
Katie crossing the White River
The White River

Beautiful Mystic Lake. The water was warm and the lake bottom was sandy and not muddy at all. We camped at the Mystic Campground near here.
Mystic Lake
Mystic Lake
A young deer near our camp. It hadn't quite shed all of its spots.
Selfie time!
Mystic Lake

Moraine Park

Katie
The Carbon Glacier
The Carbon Glacier
The Carbon Glacier and the start of the Carbon River
The Carbon Glacier and the start of the Carbon River
Carbon River Suspension Bridge
Yellowstone Cliffs
The black dot in the center of the picture is a bear. Yellowstone Cliffs
Yellowstone Cliffs

We stopped here under the Yellowstone Cliffs for a nice break and to filter some water. We had just finished the hardest part of the climb out of the Carbon River drainage.

Tarn near Windy Gap
Tarn near Windy Gap
Tarn near Windy Gap
We took the side trail to the Natural Bridge above Lake James and Lake Ethel.
Lance wanted a closer look. I said he was nuts, LOL.
We had a great view of the Fremont lookout from here. Can you see it?
We camped at the Lake James camp sites. We were lucky to get a spot as the campground was pretty full. We got a group shot before heading out the last morning.
The White River
Fording the White River
Fording the White River
Fording the White River

Looking back down at the White river after climbing out of the drainage. We were way up there by the Winthop Glacier just two days prior.
Grand Park. This is a really neat place. It's a big flat plateau. After all the ups and downs over the last couple days, this was a nice break. The Fremont lookout is at the top of that point
Katie and Lance in Grand Park
Katie and Lance in Grand Park
Lance and I in Grand Park. I think he was hiding from the sun or maybe the bugs? LOL
Berkely Park. The flowers were just out of control.
Berkely Park. The flowers were just out of control.
Berkely Park. It was near here that I drank some unfiltered water that was flowing out of the side of the hill. A few days later I got Giardia or something and had to take antibiotics for ten days to get my system back on track.
Berkely Park.
Berkely Park. The flowers were just out of control.
Berkely Park. The flowers were just out of control.
Berkely Park.
Berkely Park. Climbing out of here was pretty tough. I wasn't counting on so much more elevation gain after leaving Grand Park. A park ranger I passed as I was almost over the hump going back into Sunrise asked if I was OK, LOL. I must have looked pretty rough. This was a fun trip but a lot harder than I was expecting. So worth it though.

Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

2 thoughts on “Northern Loop”

  • Nancy
    October 4, 2019 at 7:52 pm
    Permalink

    Jay, Thank you for sharing this challenging trip! Beautiful pictures and descriptions of places I could only see through you!

    Reply
    • JayPost author
      October 4, 2019 at 11:46 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks Nancy. I’m glad I could share it with you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Click here to Subscribe

Thanks for taking an interest in following me on my adventures. Enter your email address below and click the sign me up button. You should receive a confirmation email momentarily.