It's funny how a week and an elevation change can make such a difference in a hike. The weather was crisp and the sun only made an occasional appearance to light up small patches of the landscape. Now this is the only access open to the northern parts of Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park and we will hike this trail a few times thru the winter, if the road doesn't wash out. However, that happens almost every year....(see other photos in this portfolio). The 3 1/2 mile hike starts at 2300 ft. elevation and only gains 1000 ft. as you reach the end of the Carbon Glacier. There are so many amazing sites in the short distance...we never get tired of this hike. Most of the time you are in old growth forest...on a day like this it's dark in there. Open spaces, like this one, are along avalanche shoots and rock slides from the mountain above. These patches of fall colors brighten up the forest, even on a dark cloudy day.