The hike to Comet Falls is quite popular, and for a good reason.
Only ~2 miles, all along Van Trump Creek, scenic and mostly in the shade.
Of course, depends on where you are and where the sun shines, you may see a rainbow.
Most people turned around at the waterfall.
Continued up. After ~half a mile, at the junction, I turned left for Mildred Point first.
Loses elevation to cross the same creek.
More asters here, and a lot of withered beargrass flower stalks.
Followed the trail all the way to the end (there's a sign indicating the end), maybe ~1 mile.
Well, you couldn't go further, it's a steep drop.
The trail gets steep at times, and rutted.
The meadow just below the end has probably the best flowers today in Rainier.
There is a trail to the right which you can follow for ~100' to a different view point.
Mount Rainier is staring at you. Looking back down towards Tatoosh and the flowering meadow is quite nice.
Coming down Mildred Point, there's a junction going down to a different TH.
Met a few people along this stretch.
I returned to the junction.
There, continued up to Van Trump Park.
The official trail ends shortly, but you can continue up ~forever (a climbing route).
Then up all the way towards Van Trump Glacier.
A very nice and big meadow above the tree line, where I made a long break on my way back.
I returned ~7100', still had snow.
Between the snow and the turn, there's no water.
Only saw one person here,
Views of Adams, Sainte Helens and Tatoosh are excellent.
Back to the car. Drove to Paradise for a short stroll before leaving the park.
Already after 6pm. Still a quite a lot of people.
Visitor center was closed, bathroom was still open.
Flowers were not good (2 weeks out?). Almost no lupine at all.
Returned the car the next morning.
