Day 1: Drive to Cougar, Washington and pick up our permits. Then, drive to the Marble Mountain Sno-Park at 2,700 ft/823 m, and snowshoe/ski/hike up the Swift Creek Trail for about three miles to just above the beginning of Swift Creek drainage. We work our way up the gentle slopes, reaching the rim at 8,365 ft/2,550 m.
The view from the rim is fantastic as we look down 2,000 feet into the crater with the lava dome below. Mt. Rainier and Spirit Lake are framed in the gap to the North. We will, of course, be careful to not venture out on the overhanging snow cornice unless we are belayed. We have lunch at the rim as we take in the wonderful views in all directions. After about an hour, we will descend the same route glissading down a significant portion of the ridge.
**Rare Earth Adventures will make every attempt to follow the trip itinerary. However, this itinerary is subject to change due to group dynamics, unsafe weather and/or route conditions, or other reasons beyond our control.
