Tipsoo Lake at Mt Rainier

In my last post I told you about our maiden voyage in the R Pod, where we camped at Silver Springs near Mt Rainier. In this one I’ll share more pictures of the wonderful mountain scenery we enjoyed, starting with Tipsoo Lake.

Located 15 minutes east of the Silver Springs Campground this lovely subalpine lake is set in a glacier-carved basin at an elevation of 5,298 feet. Loved to death on summer weekends, we were fortunate to find it relatively unpopulated on a weekday, one of the benefits of retirement. We took an easy stroll around the lake and saw patches of snow and lots of wildflowers, including magenta paintbrush, and avalanche and glacier lilies.

There was also this view of Yakima Peak,

and of course, Mt. Rainier.

Then it was over Chinook Pass to check out the rivers on the east side of the mountains for future fly fishing trips. Douglas-fir was soon replaced by Ponderosa Pine and as the temperature increased we decided to cool off in one of the rivers.

Soon signs of civilization appeared and we stopped by the Gold Creek Restaurant for dinner. Thus, I was spared from cooking that night and I have to say it made me a happy camper.

Back over the Pass, and we had another view of Tipsoo Lake and the Mountain behind,

before arriving at Silver Springs Campground where all was quiet and peaceful at twilight.

The next morning after our campfire,

we headed to Sunrise for more views of Rainier and Emmons Glacier but lest I weary you with my pictures I will save that for another time.

~ Susanne