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Daily Reports, Day 12
Yesterday's distance traveled: 8 miles. Last night's campsite: Klapatche Park (elevation 5,400 feet). Yesterday's weather: Ideal (clear and toasty). I'm grateful for it. Today's wake up conditions: Clear and balmy; 51 degrees. Happenings: Talk about being in the right place at the right time. When the weather turns warm and the clouds go away, there's no finer place to be than on the ridgelines of Mount Rainier. The past two days have provided a microcosm of the summer we all hoped to enjoy this year. I'm glad I was here to see it, feel it, breathe it. After descending five miles from Golden Lakes to the North Puyallup River, the three-mile (1,800 feet) lug up to Klapatche Park was as tough as anticipated. At times the constant switchbacks made me feel as though I was ascending the tight spiral stairs of a lighthouse. But the payoff came as I reached Aurora Lake and, looking left, was stunned to see Rainier's hulking white mass suddenly dominating the horizon. Awesome. I day-hiked to neighboring St. Andrews Park, then took in a fine sunset at Klapatche. What could be better? Klapatche, though, was my first stop on this trip where I broke out the insect repellent and bug-net hat. The mosquitoes were heavy around Aurora. A helicopter swooped in at 8:20 this morning and landed on the banks of Aurora Lake. Someone in a jumpsuit hopped out. Was I being evacuated? Was the park superintendent dropping in to correct something I'd written? Was it an extra-special delivery by HomeGrocer.com? Nope. It was a team of rangers preparing to airlift a barrel of human waste from this trail camp's outhouse. "Not too exciting," said flown-in trail crew member Kendra Mills. Nice views: The imposing formations rising above the North Puyallup where the Wonderland Trail crosses it. Sunset at Klapatche Park. Last night's dinner: Barbecue chicken with rice from Richmoor's Natural High ($6.50). A nice taste option, but the sauce could have used a little more zing. Distance still to travel:17 miles.
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Thursday, Sept. 9
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