Subject: [Tweeters] Lakes Trail at Mt. Rainier
Date: Sep 5 18:45:59 2010
From: Dave Hayden - dtvhm at nwrain.com


Sherry and I hiked the Lakes Trail and part of Mazama Ridge at Mt. Rainier. This trail is mostly in Lewis County, but we ventured north along Mazama Ridge into Pierce County. It was cold and overcast for the entire time we were hiking. We started at Reflection Lake and hiked the trail counter clockwise. At the lake we had GRAY JAYS, PINE SISKINS, a GREAT BLUE HERON, and 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS. Once we got started on the main trail we added DARK-EYED JUNCOS, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and a STELLERS JAY. As we neared Faraway Rock, 4 SOOTY GROUSE were seen. A female with two large young in the trail, and a male sitting near by off the trail. At Faraway Rock, we took a quick break. We were treated to a RED-TAILED HAWK soaring above, a PINE GROSBEAK that flew in, and the real treat was a ROCK WREN sitting on an outcrop at Faraway Rock. I'm sure this wren was a migrant, but there was a talus slope below. I'll have to check this spot next year for wren activity. As we continued north on Mazama Ridge, we picked up a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE and several RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. We still continued up the trail finally passing into Pierce County. We picked up a SAVANNAH SPARROW, a FOX SPARROW, 2 more SOOTY GROUSE, and a large flock of AMERICAN PIPITS before turning around to head back down. Before we left the park, we drove up to Paradise. There was a fresh dusting of snow above Paradise. Though we didn't stop here, our goal was to find the Black Bear family in Paradise Valley that we had seen last month. Luck was on our side, the trio were feeding on the opposite slope in the Huckleberry plants.

Dave Hayden
dtvhm AT nwrain.com
Centralia, WA