Sunday. Nice weather: not too warm. Cloudy: the top of Rainier was shrouded in clouds until about 2pm. The flowers at Paradise are very good, as always, but on their last legs. Walked the upper Skyline trail and took Golden Gate trail back. Saw 2 bears while on Golden Gate trail. It's still the best flower slope in the area. Dense, but not very colorful. A nice exercise.
The problem with Paradise is its accessibility, hence the crowd, especially those I don't like to be associated with, like visiting a zoo. Saw at least 2 groups were practicing crampons and harness on the lower icy slopes. Many more heading up as well as coming down from the summit.
