Backpack - Fan Lake and Stevens Ridge

This is a mostly off-trail route to the ridges to the east of Paradise and Mazama Ridge in Mount Rainier NP.  The leader has been here before and it is a truly special area.  Day 1's route follows the trail (Paradise Glacier), then off-trail routing to Cowlitz Rock Overview, then turns south on the ridge, over a permanent snow field and southeast to Fan Lake.  There is a large meadow around the lake where we will camp and draw water from the lake.  We will explore the general area that evening or the next morning.  On Day 2 we will backtrack to the snow field and then head south on Stevens Ridge.  We will gather water on the way at Williwakas Creek for that evening and the next morning.  The likely dry camp on Stevens Ridge has in-your-face views of the Tatoosh Range.  We will likely explore more of the ridge after setting up camp.  Day 3 we return to Paradise and the crowds--Ah.  Complete routing will be sent to registered participants.  There will be a $22 fee per person for camping two nights in the national park.  This is payable to the leader within a week of registering.

Due to the trips many atypical features this is a Leader's Permission Only Trip.  Please respond to all of the following questions and/or concerns:

1) I can achieve 8,500' of gain over a three day backpack trip.  Yes or No? Please provide examples where you have done this in the past two years--include location and date.

2) This trip will cross a moderately large sloping snow field and likely ford a moderately sized creek.  Are you experienced and/or comfortable with this? Yes or No?  Will you bring microspikes, trekking poles and fording shoes on the trip?

3)  The camp on night 2 will likely be dry.  Are you okay with hauling water about two miles to the camp?  Will you bring water storage to accommodate one afternoon, dinner, night, and breakfast the next day?  Minimum three liters, but likely more.

4)  Have you backpacked with this leader before?  If so, when and what trip(s).  If no, please provide a Mountaineers Backpack, Leader as a reference that I may check in with to assess your appropriateness for this type of trip.

Thanks.  Hope you can join me.  You can submit requests immediately for this trip.  The registration will open on June 16th. This should be a unique and memorable trip.  Rob

Meet at the Longmire WIC mid-morning the first day.  More information to follow.  America the Beautiful Pass or entrance fee required to MRNP.