The Paradise Skyline Trail in October

Great Sunshine, but Wicked Wind

First shot from the Paradise Parking Lot

Starting the Skyline Trail, counterclockwise

The mountain was really so close

Climbing up the trail, bundled up against the wind

Some nice fall color to distract us from the cold wind

And more color, looking over to the Alta Vista trail

Continuing up the icy trail, approaching the Golden Gate switchbacks

Higher now on the icy trail

And higher, well above the tree line, heading to the Upper Skyline Trail

The trail above seven thousand feet

Looking at Mt. St. Helens from our lunch spot

Mt. Adams from the trail

Leaving our lunch spot and looking back at Rainier

Walking by the point, too cold to linger

Some brave souls standing in the wind on Panorama Point

Pretty colors coming down the mountain

Coming down the trail with the Nisqually glacier in the background

Coming further down to a little more fall color

And a splash of red before finishing the loop

 A wonderful fall hike on a world class trail

Stats:
Round trip=5 miles
Elevation gain:=2000 feet
Hike/drive ratio =4/4=1