- IMG_2748.JPG (1.41 MiB) Viewed 319 times
We hung a left turn off Hwy-12 and onto NF-1302 and immediately started gaining elevation:
- IMG_2750.JPG (2.06 MiB) Viewed 319 times
About halfway up the first climb section we stopped to air down:
- IMG_2751.JPG (2.21 MiB) Viewed 319 times
Quick view from the first switchback looking West down the canyon:
- IMG_2752.JPG (1.65 MiB) Viewed 319 times
The ascent was easy and rapid. OG stopped to do some yardwork:
- IMG_2753.JPG (1.48 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2757.JPG (2.52 MiB) Viewed 319 times
We carried on, and came upon a small herd of elk:
- IMG_2761.JPG (1.71 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2762.JPG (1.82 MiB) Viewed 319 times
Soon enough, we started to find patchy snow along the trail, and stopped for our first good look at the dirtpile some call Mt. Rainier:
- IMG_2764.JPG (1.17 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2768.JPG (1.4 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2769.JPG (1.73 MiB) Viewed 319 times
Onward:
- IMG_2772.JPG (1.57 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2773.JPG (1.91 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2777.JPG (1.76 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2783.JPG (1.73 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2790.JPG (1.69 MiB) Viewed 319 times
Somehow I didn't end up with a single picture of the lookout structure, although I did snap a picture of us having signed the log book inside
It probably had something to do with the group of trail fleas that came up on us just as we reached the edge of the canyon and managed to overtake us on the remaining 30-yards of trail leading to the structure 
:- IMG_2792.JPG (1.38 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2785.JPG (1.37 MiB) Viewed 319 times
After we soaked in the views, and growing weary of the trail flea pilots sucking down Coors Light, White Claws, and various shots of hard liquors we decided it best to move out before they did. We stopped for lunch near the intersection with NF-1201:
- IMG_2807.JPG (1.96 MiB) Viewed 319 times
Bellies full, we headed down NF-1201 towards Reynolds Creek, starting off in snow and ending up on a dusty gravel road:
- IMG_2808.JPG (1.83 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2809.JPG (1.81 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2810.JPG (1.68 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2811.JPG (2.18 MiB) Viewed 319 times
- IMG_2812.JPG (1.52 MiB) Viewed 319 times
We aired back up at the staging area a few yards from pavement:
- IMG_2813.JPG (1.69 MiB) Viewed 319 times
Overall it had been a fantastic day in the hills. The snow level and conditions were still a massive disappointment for this time of year, as the overall feel was much more late-May than late-March. Fingers crossed for the summer season
