We all met at Rob’s place on this dark, rainy morning, and watched the big “green blob” of rain showers on the radar map. The weather was bad in Seattle, but we decided to head down to Rainier anyway, hoping for improved conditions. And, sure enough, the weather turned out great.

Ken and Lisa drove serarately, parked their car at the Box Canyon trailhead, and then we all continued in Rob’s car to the Fryingpan Creek trailhead. Initially, we trekked through the forest along Fryingpan Creek. As we broke out of the trees, the clouds were dispersing, and the views started getting good. We stopped for lunch at Summerland. Several marmots were also enjoying their lunch of lupines.

We slogged through intermittent patches of snow on our way up to Panhandle Gap. Off in the distance, about a quarter-mile away, a big herd of about 30 mountain goats crossed the trail. Rob and I dawdled here and there taking pictures. Ken and Lisa had to wait often, so we could catch up. Lisa was sometimes ahead of the group, by herself. At one point Ken caught up and jokingly asked, “Aren’t you worried about running into a bear or something”? She looked up the trail and casually said, “There’s one right there”. Sure enough, just at that moment, a big bear lumbered across the trail in front of them! Rob and I missed the whole thing.

With about 3 miles left, the Blauvelts started running to get some extra excercise. Rob and I grudgingly followed suit, and we quickly made it down to their waiting car. Another outstanding adventure completed!

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