Mount Aix Hike

Wonderful alpine hike east of Mount Rainier with two new hiking buddies. Mount Aix is the highest point between Goat Rocks and Mount Daniel, and from its top you have in-your-face views of Rainier, Helens, Adams and Goat Rocks, as well as the neighboring 7,000+ foot peaks in the Nelson Ridge group and the distant Stuart Range. The drive is 3 hours 45 mins from Portland in the early morning, but (irritatingly) closer to 5 on the way home (tourist traffic). Totally worth it, even with the five miles of switchbacks up to the ridge. We saw goats on Fake Bismarck (the un-named peak blocking the view of Bismarck), encountered little snow,and generally had an awesome time. One of our party scrambled up the class three summit block, while my partner and I stayed just below. We explored the class two route up the back, but it seemed unappealingly long and also somewhat sketchy. Both approaches had their drawbacks, and we decided that we were not missing out by playing it safe. Excellent hike with excellent people.