Got lucky with this one : clear skies, and the mountain was out (as the locals proudly say). I hit the road early and made my way to Paradise. The higher I climbed, the icier it got. FWD cars were sliding all over the place trying to reach the top. Meanwhile, 4x4 came in clutch. At Paradise, the views hit instantly. Rainier just sits there, massive and majestic. I started the Skyline Loop, a trail that basically checks every box: waterfalls, glaciers, alpine meadows, rocky ridges. It’s all in there. The trail earns its name. You’re walking through nonstop scenery with Rainier always keeping you company. It was a warm October day, and I could actually hear glaciers cracking nearby. Very eerie and terrifying sound. The elevation kicked my butt and water breaks quickly became a ritual. Reaching the top was the payoff: crisp air, total quiet, and a panorama of mountains into the horizon. Going down, I passed Myrtle Falls the iconic photo op, and yes, it was packed. Justifiably so. By the end, my legs were shot in the best way. Still wild to think some people climb to the summit. I’ll stay loop-side for now.