Wonderland Trail
Nickel Creek Camp
to
Indian Bar Camp
At the crest of Cowlitz Divide, Mt Rainier's east face is fully exposed. Snow packed Columbia Crest (1410ft) crowns the mountain. Gibraltar Rock (12660ft) points skyward to the right. After staring, transfixed, at this splendid scene for a while, I reluctantly descended the trail toward Indian Bar.
The Ranger at Longmire Hikers Center, three days ago, said a herd of elk was in the Indian Bar area. As I approached Indian Bar, I found elk droppings, and heard bugling. It's the middle of September, elk rutting season. I found more evidence around the shelter area. That's as close as I got to the herd - no sighting - no photos. The afternoon was pleasant, so I skipped the shelter and chose a tent site. That night it rained
Mt Rainier National Park