Hike to Rampart Ridge on Tuesday, June 3, 2014

On Tuesday, June 3, Bronka joined me and Ted on a hike to Rampart Ridge.    We started from Longmire about 10:15 a.m.   It was a surprisingly cloudy day, as we thought it was going to be sunny!  But cloudy good to hike in.  We hiked to the high point, but could not see the mountain.  We had a nice lunch at the rock lookout and then headed down and took the loop trail.  It was such a beautiful hike.  Bronka and I spotted a huge cedar tree.  It was amazingly large.  As always, we marveled at the beauty surrounding us.

Bronka shared with us her recent trip with Wally to Spokane.  They visited friends of Wally's.  Bronka had such a nice visit with them.  They also took a trip to Coulee Dam and went on a tour.  Bronka really enjoyed it and said she learned so much.

Bronka is getting ready for a visit from her nephew and his family who are arriving from Israel.  They just plan to spend a couple of days with her on Thursday and Friday.   She is so looking forward to seeing them.

Bronka and Ted getting ready for the hike.

Bright green!

Ted walking through a misty forest.

Taking a break at the high point of Rampart Ridge.  

No Mt. Rainier view today.

Bronka and me!

Huge cedar tree!

Bronka next to the big cedar tree.

Hike to Pack Forest on Saturday, April 26, 2014

On Saturday, April 26, Bronka joined me, Ted, Al, Betty, Tanner, Mason and Joy, and doggie, Buster. on a hike to Bethel Rock at Pack Forest.  It was a cloudy day, but good for hiking.  We took the Hugo Peak trail, which is steep in places.  We had fun visiting one another.  From Hugo Peak, we hiked another mile up to Bethel Rock.  This was about a 6 mile hike.  As always, we had a wonderful time!

View from the Hugo Peak trail

Bronka, Joy and Betty hiking up the steep trail.

Joy and Bronka hiking toward Kirkland Pass.

Lunch time at Bethel Rock.  High point of Pack Forest.

One happy dog.  Buster.

From behind, Mason, Eli, Al, Joy Betty, Tanner, Ted and Bronka.

Hike to Rampart Ridge, Mt. Rainier on Friday, April 18, 2014

Bronka and I decided to take a hike to Rampart Ridge.  It has been raining most of the week so we did not know how the weather was going to turn out.   We were hoping for no rain and some sunshine.  We left about 9:30 a.m.

Since there is road work being done all the way to Longmire, it would take us longer to get Longmire.    Bronka and I enjoyed talking to the flaggers as we waited.  They all work for Tucci and are very happy working  for that company.

We finally got to the trailhead and started on up.   I had to put on my rain gear as the snow from the trees started to melt and it was practically raining on us.   We had nice  rays of sunshine come through the trees, it was very beautiful.  I had planned to take more pictures, but the battery in my camera died.  When Bronka and I got closer to the ridge, we got into snow.  There was an inch on the ground.  The higher we got the more snow on the ground, but not too bad.   We got to the point where we could see the mountain, which drifted in and out of the clouds.   We had a quick lunch there as it was cold and windy.

Instead of doing the loop, we came back the same way we hiked up.  The trail was much drier as we came down.  It turned out to be a beautiful day!  

Snow on the trail to Rampart Ridge

Hike at Pack Forest on 3-15-14

We met Bronka and Wally at Pack Forest yesterday.  There were several of us who went on this hike.   It was a really nice day, no rain, just a little cloudy.     Had a great time!

Ted, Carol, Betty, Tanner, Al and Mason and
doggies Buster and Polly

Me and Ted at Hugo Peak and Buster too!

Polly

Buster

Meeting Bronka and Wally on the trail.

Wally and Bronka 

Snowshoe Hike to Copper Creek Hut, March 7, 2014

Bronka was joined by Wally, Ted, Jerry and Brian on a snowshoe hike to Copper Creek Hut.   It turned out to be a really nice sunny day.   They enjoyed a nice lunch at the hut.    They snowshoed about 8 miles!

Bronka and Jerry coming to Copper Creek Hut.

Bronka!

Wally, Brian and Jerry

Ted, Wally, Brian and Jerry

Wally, Ted, Brian and Jerry

Wally, Ted, Bronka and Jerry

Group of people snowshoeing to the hut.  Take a couple of little ones.  Clever  idea on taking them there.

Birthday Party for Persimba at Bronka's

Ted and I were invited to come over to Bronka's to celebrate Persimba's birthday.  Not sure how old he is.  He is a good friend of hers.   He lives part-time in Seattle, then leaves for Napal for the rest of the year.   He was a guide for RMI.  He has also summated Mt. Everest.

Peggy, Peggy, Beth

Bronka with her boyfriends, Ted, Bill and Wally

Wynn, Bronka, Sara and Persimba

Persimba and with new birthday hat.

Bronka with Sara, Wynn, and Persimba

Leslie, Katherine, Diane, Beth, Peggy, Peggy and me!

Hike with Wally and Jerry to Fossil Rock - 2/8/14

On Saturday, February 8, Bronka, with friends, Wally and Jerry, hiked up to Fossil Rock in the Bald Hill Area.  This was about a 8 mile round-trip hike.  It was a cloudy, cold day.

Bronka was concerned when they started climbing up on Fossil Rock.   It was steep, slippery and wet.  She was concerned how she was going to come down once they got up there. 

When they got to the top, she said the views were amazing!  Had great view of Mt. Rainier and the valley below them.

When they were ready to come down, she said she was afraid, but when Wally pulled out a rope from his pack, she felt better.   He tied it around her and Wally and Jerry, gently got her down.  She was very relieved.   She said she had a wonderful time and looking forward to going back there in the summer.

Wally and Bronnka

Wally and Jerry

Bronka and Jerry

Bronka and Jerry, top of Fossil Rock

Bronka and Wally

Monday Girls Hike/Snowshoe to Snow Bowl - February 3, 2014

The Monday Group decided to hike/snowshoe up to Snow Bowl.   Bronka was joined by me, Carol W., Connie and Mare.   It was a really nice, but cold day.  We had lots of fun chatting with one another and enjoyed our beautiful surroundings.   The Hut is always such a nice place to stop at.   We had a nice hot cup of cocoa.  Lunch always tastes better after a nice hike.  Bronka, as always, amazes us.   She is one strong lady!

Connie, Me, Carol W. and Bronka!

 

 

Our Monday Group:  Mare, Me, Carol W., Bronka and Connie

 

Connie, Mare, Carol W. and Bronka!  Another mile and a half to go!

 

Lunch at the Hut

Carol W., Mare and Bronka



 

Our Packs,

 

Living room at the hut

No view of Mt. Rainier today.

Trees covered in snow.

 Connie working on puzzle.

 

Mare, Carol W. and Connie

Connie and Bronka

 

Beautiful kitchen at the hut.

Snow Bowl Hut, coming back.

Bronka in front of snow cat.

Bronka and Me!