Waiting for the Clouds to Pass

Ever feel like you’re tirelessly trying your hardest, following the right path without stray, yet you’re at a stand still, stuck in a cloud? Maybe there’s a reason for this season…

While we’ve been blessed with many beautiful Washington views & experiences over the summer, the notorious Pacific Northwest (PNW) fog has intruded on plans during more than one occasion. The locals surely aren’t lying when they say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.” But the clouds truly grounded me this summer & taught me more than any meteorologist could have predicted…

Rattlesnake Ledge

Trail: 5.1 mi, 1,459 ft. elevation gain

Difficulty: Moderate

Expected views: Mount Si, Mount Washington, Chester Morse Lake

Camp Muir

Trail: 8.4 mi, 4,606 ft. elevation gain

Difficulty: Hard

Expected views: Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, & Mount Hood

Mount Si

August 17th, 2019

Trail: 7.9 mi, 3,188 ft. elevation gain

Difficulty: Hard

Expected views: Mount Rainier, Little Si

Tolmie Peak

August 30th, 2019

Trail: 5.5 mi, 1.522 ft. elevation

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Expected views: Top rated views of Mt. Rainier

On Friday morning, it was no surprise when we hiked to the top of Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout & it was a complete whiteout of clouds. Just our luck. I looked to Ry with puppy dog eyes saying, “but it’s suppose to be one of the BEST views of Rainier! “Without debate, we stalled & kept hiking along the Tolmie Peak trail, praying that the sun would shine through. Before making yet another disappointing descent back down the trail we agreed to at least snap a few photos at the peak, despite the completely opaque skyline. Suddenly, a glimpse of sunlight burst through the clouds & an enormous shadow filled the sky across us. There stood the King of the PNW in all its glory: Mount Rainier. Chills.