July 23, 2011, Van Trump Park, Mt. Rainier

8 AM start, only car on the parking lot.  Aside from a few climbers coming across the Nisqually and a few day hikers as high as Comet Falls, we saw no other traffic.  Routefinding after Comet Falls was relatively straightforward on the way up, but a little problematic on the descent: estimated 40 min and 400vf "Beavis" factor in the afternoon.  As you drop into a gully (currently on skis) below VTP you need to make a move to skiers right (west) at the right place.  It will be a month before the trail is snow free to the meadows I think. In any case, the skiing.  Topped out around 1:30 at ~9300 and descended at 2 PM.  A little runneled and soft but the untracked nature and the views made up for it.  Icy in patches up high but not a real issue.  Significant glide cracks everywhere.  Slow traffic to Seattle so a long day but wonderful.  Viewing across to Muir we saw hundreds.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/koelle/