August 8, 2003

The Skyline trail can either be accessed either behind the main hotel building or to the right of the Ranger station.  Going the by the ranger station the trail heads steeply up a paved section across some wonderful alpine meadows.  Eventually the trail turns to packed dirt and you start to roll steeply across the terrain as you head towards the point and Pebble Creek.  There are a few overlooks of the glaciers on Mt. Rainier that offer spectacular views of the Nisqually Glacier. 

Eventually after some steep switchback you will come to Pebble Creek.  Ti reach the Muir base camp you can access the Muir Snowfield by crossing Pebble Creek.  With as many people that ascend to the base camp, you will have no problem finding a beaten path.  On the opposite side of the creek is the point with some very large 6-7 foot cairns.  Climbing to this point offers some wonderful views of the valley and the Paradise area.

Continuing in the clockwise pattern on the Skyline Trail you will descend back into some Alpine meadows.  This area you will see many Marmots and Ptarmigans.  Early August the meadows are in full bloom.  Along this section you will see the monument  to Stevens Van Trump marking his base camp. 

Eventually the trail becomes paved again and you will pass Sluskin Falls and you will notice and increase in tourists on the lower section.  The trail eventually ends in behind the hotel above the parking lot.