After an evening in Seattle, we spent the following day at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Mt. Rainier is a tall, cone-shaped volcano. Although it has not erupted in more than 1,000 years, it is still considered an active volcano. Standing at over 14,000 feet, it is one of the tallest peaks in the Cascade Mountain Range.
Checking out Mt. Rainier!
Mount Rainier makes its own weather because its towering peak rises high into the atmosphere. It acts as an obstacle that forces air to rise and cool, creating fog, storms, and sudden weather changes.
Mt. Rainier is home to 28 glaciers and receives an average of 54 feet of snowfall each year. Winter on the mountain can last anywhere from eight to ten months. Despite the long winters, the alpine meadows just below the tree line return each summer blooming with wildflowers. These meadows are often referred to as the mountain’s colorful front yard.
Some of the sights in the park.
Including some more exploring of the mountain streams!
One of the historic A-frame buildings in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park.
A glacier-climbing exhibit at the visitor center.
Mt. Rainier!
After leaving Mt. Rainier, we tried to find Big Foot, but no luck this time!
On the way back to the campground, we were lucky to see a steam engine leaving.
We also passed Alder Lake. This lake gets its pale, milky, chalky-blue color from glacial flour, a superfine rock powder created when glaciers grind against bedrock high on Mount Rainier.
Upon returning from exploring Mt. Rainier, we drove through the neighborhood outside of the campground which had lovely hanging flower pots throughout the entire area.
Next stop: Olympic National Park also in Washington State.