Day 4
7.91 miles. 2677ft gain/1201ft loss. Last day. Camp packed, and loaded on our backs, we head up to Grand Park, through forest, until we reach a viewpoint that is open, a rocky platform on the trail that allows clear views of the White River valley below, laid out before us, with Mt Rainier, Old Desolate, and the Natural Bridge all visible from this vantage point, our old friends and nemesis from the trail.
Does the hardship of the trail make adversaries now familiar faces that become like friends, once the memory of the pain afflicted fades? Hard to say, for I know that now, I look upon the areas covered as familiar, almost to the point of fondness, where once all I could do was mutter curses of destruction under my breath…
…it is amazing to break through the alpine fir, and find this place, as flat as a table top, huge grasslands laid out before us, the grasses bending to and fro in the wind…
Further up the trail, we run into Grand Park, and it is resplendent in coats of Lupine and yellow flowers. Spectacular! After all the up, down, up, down that this trail supplies, amidst forest and rock cliff, it is amazing to break through the alpine fir, and find this place, as flat as a table top, huge grasslands laid out before us, the grasses bending to and fro in the wind, looking every bit like something out of a storybook. I expected to see large herds of elk or deer foraging on the ample waves, but except for the occasional hiker, we were alone…
There was a trail junction here, and the trail disappeared across the distance of the park, headed for Lake Eleanor. Perhaps, someday, I’ll make this trek across Grand Park, to see what Lake Eleanor looks like. For now, we continue towards Berkeley Park, dropping off the plateau here, through forest again, and finally, as we begin to hear Lodi Creek clearly, the forest gives way to abundant greens that fill the meadows here, tucked between the steep faces of Skyscraper, and the flanks of Mt. Fremont.
Placement of everything is perfect, from the way the stream cascades over rock, making bends around tree islands and boulders, flowers so abundant that they fill the breeze with their scent.
Once past Berkeley Camp, the trees finally give way to incredible views of the meadows in this park. The lush green carpet covers everything, and gives you the impression of a lovingly tended garden, to be sure! Placement of everything is perfect, from the way the stream cascades over rock, making bends around tree islands and boulders, flowers so abundant that they fill the breeze with their scent.
Berkeley Park is truly park like, and if you ever find yourself in Sunrise, you should make the journey to see this place; words fail to adequately describe the area. There are several people here now, taking as many pictures as their camera cards will hold. More uphill out of Berkeley park, and as we crest the top, below Burroughs Mountains, we put on our turn signals, and merge with the heavy traffic that exists here on a warm summer day.
Many different languages are heard here as we head for Sunrise, and I feel a little bit like a salmon swimming upstream, there are that many people!
The trails are full of day hikers, and if you sit in one place long enough here, you will see the entire world go by. Many different languages are heard here as we head for Sunrise, and I feel a little bit like a salmon swimming upstream, there are that many people! Relieved, we shed our packs at the truck, don sandals, and head for the concessionary, to have our customary, E.O.T. burger…And wash it all down with a soft ice cream cone! Our journey is now, officially, over. And, if we look at the tallies of elevation gain/loss, we see that on this trail, there is over 20,000ft of elevation gain/ loss in 4 days!!!
…some hardships that can only be found on the trail, with my two friends, Greg and Ed, who will best understand the faraway look in my eye, when reminiscing about our time on the Northern Loop…
With so many memories, sights, and sounds that this section of the park provides, it’s difficult to say what the best part is. Yellowstone cliffs? Grand Park? The Natural Bridge perhaps? For me, I believe it was the chance to share these incredible sights, sounds, and some hardships that can only be found on the trail, with my two friends, Greg and Ed, who will best understand the faraway look in my eye, when reminiscing about our time on the Northern Loop.