Mount Ellinor #812 (Olympics)

Summit View

I was so stoked to do this hike, and a little nervous. I knew that this hike was going to test my ability, especially after my trip to Mount Townsend the previous week. Plus it was a gorgeous day and it was summer-like conditions. This hike is not something I would take children on, it is step and the getting up to the summit can be a little scary.  There was absolutely no snow until you got to the summit, and I was a little scared, but managed to push through and get to the top.

It's amazing how that fear goes away when you stand at the top and take in the beauty that is around you. The mountains seem to go on forever, and the views of Mt. Rainier,  Mt. Adams, and Mt. St Helens are pretty awesome. The Brother,  Mt. Constance, and Mt. Washington aren't too shabby either. Coming down seemed to be a lot easier than I expected, probably because of the high that takes over because of what you just did. Nothing can take away that feeling.

Summit View

Hike after you get out of the trees is full of huge boulders and rocks that you have to take your time on. As you get closer to the summit you get to continue the journey on gravel steps. It's exhausting, but it's well worth the view at the top.  As the summit approaches, you get to trek through some snow to the rocky top. 

It probably is not a great idea to take small children, and you should probably be prepared, because it gets very cold at the top. I saw quite a few children cry and not want to continue after a certain point. There were also a lot of unprepared hikers who were freezing at the top in jeans and tank tops.  All and All, it was a great day.

Until the next adventure.

Smiles for days after the summit!