{"id":4920,"date":"2023-09-14T20:12:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T20:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/?p=4920"},"modified":"2024-03-17T15:08:33","modified_gmt":"2024-03-17T15:08:33","slug":"pinnacle-saddle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/2023\/09\/14\/pinnacle-saddle\/","title":{"rendered":"Pinnacle Saddle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sunday, July 23, 2023<\/p>\n<p>On our second day in Mt. Rainier National Park we hiked up to Pinnacle Saddle.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The trailhead is at Reflection Lake so of course I took a quick photo before we set off up trail:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53132352019_5640064f20_b.jpg\" alt=\"Reflection Lakes\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We didn&#8217;t see many people as we started hiking up:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133887398_ac494ce795_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We saw a few wildflowers along the way:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133614849_c92f3b7885_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133887283_f6c10fb6a9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133407306_f73ac50cbb_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133613224_5daed10750_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53132809292_5236b8eda7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of several rock slopes we crossed:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133887018_39dfb8bc04_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We had occasional views of Mt. Rainier:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133812870_8e075236b4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We were mostly in shadow, but the sun was touching the treetops as we climbed higher:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53132807147_f8358b53bf_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133407506_24cb005218_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133406696_31c64cd015_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking back at Mt. Rainier:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133888753_7400090cce_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We were delighted to see this cute pika shortly before we reached the saddle:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133814425_543bf31b03_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133615799_00992c6cc0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s the saddle in that gap ahead:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133613299_d5a9165700_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The official trail ends at the saddle, but unofficial trails continue beyond:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133885688_c955139ce1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking north at Mt. Rainier from the saddle:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53135067038_3dd570a324_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking south from the saddle at Mt. Adams:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133988692_1241e6188d_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We followed the user trail south for a little ways:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143385901_3ed04910dd_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That is Butter Creek down in that valley:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53142799027_9427405f02_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Those grassy slopes are on Tatoosh Peak (see 2017 <a href=\"https:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/2017\/08\/02\/tatoosh-trail\/\">trip report<\/a>) and the snowy peaks beyond are the Goat Rocks:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143698589_9e1062cf1c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We sat and relaxed for a bit, then turned and headed back towards the saddle. That is Pinnacle Peak at center:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143904583_4a5e9d382a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Plummer Peak to the west:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143843195_2a32c413d5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143629224_a7be67fe08_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s hard to tell from this photo, but there are user trails up there heading up to the west:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143629329_718f3a4daa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We followed one of the user trails:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143860715_5750c53eb5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53142851892_eee177a3a8_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Nice views of Mt. Rainier:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143439491_b053b80b80_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We reached a little tarn that provided a lovely reflection of Mt. Rainier:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143702434_b12282b129_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The day was getting toasty, so we found a shady spot nearby with a great view where we could sit and rest:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143977883_34200541a5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Distant waterfalls:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143977913_8ab8406bca_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53133615509_dff527f96f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking west:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53142904352_019f4f5d20_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking east at Mt. Rainier and Pinnacle Peak and the trail we hiked:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143537781_d6cbfc8b95_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"506\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Paradise far below:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53142904002_c2e2f209cc_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Heading back down we had great views much of the way:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143911570_a836aecb77_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143974318_8f51073a2f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143974493_eb38428003_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>More wildflowers:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53143501631_a86312e5c4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53142947852_4a19ba86fa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pinnacle Saddle Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This was a short hike with a lot of bang for your buck. Beautiful!<\/p>\n<p>Gaia stats: 3.4 miles, 1,160&#8242; elevation gain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sunday, July 23, 2023 On our second day in Mt. Rainier National Park we hiked up to Pinnacle Saddle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4980,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[233,161],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4920"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4920"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4981,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4920\/revisions\/4981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}