Mt Rainier National Park is Awesome

The weather in Western Washington has been fantastic this Summer. Paula, our good friend Rick Hunter (www.rickhunterimages.com) and I took the opportunity to visit Mt Rainier National Park. It's a fantastic place! We got to the the Sunrise area of the park mid-afternoon and were disappointed to find the mountain totally socked in by clouds. However, despite the September date the wildflowers were in full and massive bloom. The area was riot of color with tons of great photographic opportunities.

The next morning we were at the Sunrise summit for sunrise and were not disappointed. The clouds had cleared and Mt Rainier was out in full glory lite by a golden sunrise. It was breathtaking. The rest of the day remained clear and we drove the park spending extra time to explore the giant trees of the Hall of Monarchs area (interesting but not highly photographic) and the Paradise area (great for photography).

If you go here's a few tips. Give yourself at least a day, more is better, its a long way around. Get gas and food before you enter the park. There is very little food and even less gas in the park. Check with the park for when the wildflowers are in bloom, its usually toward the end August.