6/4, Saturday. 30 minutes delay due to construction at Bonney Lake. Only around noon, we picked up a wilderness camping permit for Glacier Basin at White River ranger station. This ranger is very friendly and cheerful, unlike the one we met at Staircase last Saturday. Temperature registered at 79° by the car. At the White River Campground (closed for camping) many cars parked there. 81°F. 4230'. People of all ages. Glacier Basin trail starts at the end of the campground.
The first mile is flat. Good trail. Emmons Moraine trail is half a mile spur to the left/south of White River. A few people stopped at the bridge, for getting up the other side is a bit loose. Well worth the short hike along the moraine. Continue a bit further after the end of the maintained trail for better views. You can see (probably get to via use trails) a glacial green lake. View of Rainier and Tahoma is also perfect.
Back on the main trail, continued another mile, snow patches started to appear. Soon all snow. I was feeling very tired for some reason, dripping sweat. The 5 campsites equipped with 2 black bear cans (big like a garbage can with twisted lid), at the edge of the forest, all half buried in snow. About 6000'. A big now-snowy meadow under mighty mountains is immediately beyond the camp. 
We opted to camp out of the woods, a bit north, on snow, not far from a small stream, with a view of a small pond, and the full glory of the mountains. I washed at the pond, unbeknownst to me that there were at least 2 dozens of dead frogs at the bottom of the pond. Walked about the basin, and to the roaring river. Saw a marmot. Picked up some rocks. I made a small snow mount. Put the rocks on top for seat. Met one couple camping by the bear cans.
Sunset is disappointing, as this is at the east side of the mountains. Western sky is blocked. Woke up at 2am. Decided to take star photos. But clouds came, as I was fiddling with the camera settings. Not cold. But it's cold to sleep on snow.6/5, Sunday. Blue sky. Still pleasant temperature to hike. Put on crampons and headed to Camp Schumann.
Lots of people going there, most of then on skis. Slope is gentle, snow was soft. Easy to make foot hold going straight up. Up and up we went. I was taking a break every 50 steps. Not just my legs, even my arms muscles were sore. The view gets progressively grander, the higher you are. Baker, Glacier Peak, and myriad of green mountains now dusted with snow. Reached the Plow at the end of Interglacier, looking down at Camp Schurman. View is stunning. Tahoma is right in your face. Faintly you can see Puget Sound, and Olympic mountains. There are many skiers on the slope, some were coming down from the top. Amazing to watch. For climbing Rainier, this web page offers detailed description. 
Going down is easy. I folded my poles and sat down. This is the longest stretch of wide slope I have ever glissaded down. It was fun. The snow was soft, built up instantly when I slid. At times, I had to use poles to propel the motion.
Back at the camp. Picked up stuff and hiked out. At about 5pm, got back to the car. It registered 81°F just like yesterday. Back to the sweltering hot city, ended a grand weekend on the snow. Why all good things have to end?
