Mt. Rainier National Park Day 2

On the second day we woke and we were in the clouds. The nice weather from the day before was gone and we got our rain gear ready. We had breakfast at the Inn before heading over to Sunrise. Our objective on this trip was to get over to Sunrise and check it out. We figured we would have no views of Rainier but we could still get an introduction to the Sunrise area. The driving distance to Sunrise is not that far but the twisty road made it slow going. By the time we got there the cloud ceiling was starting to lift a little. We first checked out visitors center and then we got geared up for a hike. We scrapped the plan of doing a high trail to see Rainier and went with a shorter low route. We did Sourdough Ridge trail to Frozen Lake. We ended up lucking out had no rain. But real highlight of the hike was to have black fox walk up to us on the trail.

After a nice little hike we decide to see if we could pick up a visit to another visitors center. So we went down to see the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center. It was a small center with a little info and two rangers who were happy to see someone. They were very happy to answer any questions we might have. We finish up with the visitor center at Paradise. So a hike and three visitor centers in one day.

In the morning heading out the Paradise Inn Annex where we stayed.
Sunrise Point was mostly clouded in so no great views of Rainier today.
Looking across the parking lot a paradise to the Blockhouses and the visitor museum.
The Block House and Visitor Center. The Block House are for ranger housing and Visitor center was built to be a community center.
Entrance to the Sunrise Visitor Center.
Inside the Sunrise Visitor Center. It was end of season so a number of the exhibits were not working.
The Sunrise Day Lodge was already closed for the season. This was the only part of the originally planned 300 room hotel that was completed.
Looking from the trail across Yakima Park up to Sourdough Ridge.
Starting stairway that leads to Sourdough Ridge.
Looking back the trail to the Burroughs.
A view of Sunrise Visitor Center, Sunrise Day Lodge and the parking lot.
A view of the whole Sunrise area.
Valley on the other side of Sourdough Ridge.
Meadow on the other side of Sourdough Ride.
Meadow below the trail where Shadow Lake is and the walk in campground.
I was surprise when a black fox climbed up on the trail and started coming towards me.
The Black Fox kept coming and I think want to pass by me. I was surprise how close it got and that I did know black foxes existed.
As lori came up chatting and more people started arriving be her I think the fox decide going by me was not going to work and head up the hill.
At a safe distance the fox stopped for a look around then head in the brush.
This section of the trail was cut into a talus slop. It would have taken an incredible number of CCC man hours to build this.
Lori enjoying the view from the trail.
A view back at the trail cut across the talus slop.
Frozen Lake was a let down when find out it was a man made reservoir.
Meadow below the trail. This area still has a walk in campground in it.
A look back to Yakima Meadow in the distance. The Paradise Historic District is located in this meadow.
Looking across a meadow near Sunrise to the Emmons Glacier.
Lori heading down the last bit of trail to the parking lot at Sunrise.
The Ohanspechosh Visitor Center
Inside the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center.