Slide Mountain, Mount Rainier National Park

It seems rare that any trip I've planned blind by drawing lines on a map works out as well as today did. After parking at the end of road 7160 (blocked just after the Christian camp) Ben and I followed the road up until the spur headed toward Fawn Ridge. From there, we headed straight up all of Fawn Ridge, passing Lake 5580' and tromping up to the ridge north of Slide Mountain (6339'), taking the ridge out to the peak.

The snow was better than expected and allowed for pretty quick travel (as far as snowshoeing is concerned).

Little Ranger Peak cliffs, from low on Fawn Ridge (in the clear cut regrowth)

Checking out an antler rub tree

Midway up Fawn Ridge

On Point 5460' on Fawn Ridge

Above Lake 5580', heading up to the ridge above right of Ben

Steep slope up to Slide Mountain's north ridge

Me coming up to the ridge; Ben's photo

Ben's photo

Elk tracks at 6000'

From Point 6360' (actually higher than Slide); Slide Mountain in the foreground

Wind scouring on Point 6360'

Ben headed to Slide

Headed to Slide; Ben's photo

Rainier from Slide Mountain summit 

Slide Mountain summit 6339'

Crystal Mountain summit

Glacier Peak and Alpine Lakes Wilderness peaks

Headed back down; Fawn Ridge visible on the right

The elk tracks along the ridge and our tracks climbing up to the ridge

Plunge-stepping the steeper slope

Hoar frost on upper Fawn Ridge