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Trip Report    

Winter overnight - Mazama Ridge

An extended weekend of winter camping at Mount Rainier! Starting from Narada Falls, we set up a base camp on Mazama Ridge and had a day trip up to Panorama Point.

  • Sat, Jan 11, 2025 — Mon, Jan 13, 2025
  • Mazama Ridge (Mount Rainier)
  • Snowshoeing
  • Successful
  • Road suitable for all vehicles
  • Moderate avy danger at/above treeline; primary problem was wind slabs.

After meeting at the Longmire parking lot for introductions and a review of the day's route and avy/weather forecasts, we headed up to our trailhead at Narada Falls.

The day's weather forecast called for cloudy skies, winds in the mid-teens, and approximately 1" of new snow.  We ended up experiencing that plus a lot more snow.

Carrying heavy packs with 4-season tents and 2 nights' worth of supplies, we lumbered up to Stevens Canyon Road and then took the Lower Lakes trail to Inspiration Saddle.  We then turned east, on the High Lakes trail.

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We saw evidence of critters, and were thrilled that one of our trekkers is an expert at identifying tracks!

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We then turned north, following the western edge of Mazama Ridge:

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We found a flat, sheltered campsite and then set up our tents and communal kitchen.

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After an early dinner, we all hunkered down in our tents to stay warm and dry.

The next morning was GLORIOUS!  It is such a cool feeling to be up on the mountain before the Longmire gate opens...you feel like you have the whole park to yourself.

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Since this was a 2-night trip, we had an entire day to explore.  Up to Panorama Point we went.

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No surprise, it was very windy up at Pan Point:

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After a quick break at Pan Point we returned to a lovely evening in camp.

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The next morning - our final day - we woke to another stunning sunrise.

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We packed up, re-buried our communal kitchen, and then headed south, along the eastern edge of Mazama Ridge.

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And enjoyed a short break at Faraway Rock before returning to the trailhead.

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It was a fantastic trip.  A couple lessons learned:

  • Bury your blue bags immediately, as birds will immediately attempt to take them away. (The runaway blue bag was caught!)
  • Make absolutely positively sure that your pee bottle is screwed tight.  One of our lucky folks woke up to an empty pee bottle and a soaking wet pair of pants.

Here's a map of our route:

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Michelle Peterson
Michelle Peterson says:
Jan 16, 2025 03:00 PM

Thanks for the fantastic trip report and inspiring photos!

David Boyd
David Boyd says:
Jan 17, 2025 08:42 AM

This was an amazing trip. Colin is an excellent guide/host/leader, whatever you want to call him. I recommend any of his excursions highly and would happily go again.