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Trip Report    

Alpine Scramble - Wahpenayo, Denman, Plummer Traverse

Lots of variety on this gorgeous traverse near Mount Rainier. A total of 2 river crossings, 3 summits, 2 lakes, and several waterfalls made for a very busy day on this 15 mile/5000’ elevation gain trip.

  • Road suitable for all vehicles
  • In spite of cool temperatures on our morning ascent from Longmire (in the 50s), most of the day was very warm, especially when traveling over snow.  Our first aid leader (Nina) did a great job encouraging everyone to stay hydrated and each of us used our micturating as an accurate assessment of our success.  Snow conditions will be ideal in a few weeks (as in mostly gone).

Some nice flowers, shortly after leaving the Eagle Peak trail.

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Already on Wahpenayo, 3 hours into the trip.

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Beautiful Cliff Lake, 3 hours after Wahpenayo.  We were broiled by the intense sunshine while traversing on snow and really appreciated the shaded rest spot at 46.75256° N, 121.75823° W.  Denman in the distance.

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Looking back towards Wahpenayo from the summit of Denman, an hour from Cliff Lake.

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Time flies in the hot weather when you have snow melt to dip your hat into, 30 minutes after Denman we summit Plummer.

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Back on the trail at Pinnacle Saddle, just 30 minutes from Plummer and 8 hours into our day (9 miles remaining to Longmire).

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We appreciated a shady rest stop at Reflection Lakes for changing to trail shoes.

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Our last crossing of the Nisqually River, the western end of the log may require some work in the near future.

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A great but very warm day on this beautiful traverse (temperatures at Longmire were in the 80s on our return).  Our total time was just over 11 hours (3 hours to Wahpenayo, 3 hours to Cliff Lake, 1 hour to Denman, 30 minutes to Plummer, 3.5 hours to Longmire).  Photos from this and other trips to this venue can be found here.