Our Mount Rainier National Park hike began at Sunrise Trailhead. A visitor's center, gift shop, and day lodge are located there.
The trail provided views of mountains all around, some green,
and some rocky, jagged, or snow covered.
This is Frozen Lake, appropriately named.
In the first few miles, we saw a couple of dozen hikers, but after we passed through this enchanted forest, we were all alone.
One somewhat hysterical hiker, bear spray in hand, reported she had just seen a grizzly. Since no grizzly is known to live in the area, according to several rangers we spoke to, she probably saw a black bear. We didn't see any bears, black or otherwise.
Only chipmunks, and the cute marmots shown above. Rodents like people, who tend to leave lots of lunch leftovers for them to feast upon.
Oh my gosh - is that plump marmot eating a chocolate cookie? It looks rugged there. I like the high-mountina views.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful country. I loved the frozen lake.
ReplyDeleteYou could have probably fooled the same hiker by showing him/her the zoomed in photo of the chipmunk and proclaiming it was the biggest grizzly you'd ever seen. (Probably fool a couple rangers, too!)
ReplyDeleteThere certainly is some beautiful scenery around Mount Rainier. I can't decide which of those first four pictures I like best. The marmot eating the cookie definitely wins the 'cuteness' award.
ReplyDeleteAs always gorgeous photography. I always enjoy my mini {vacations} here on your blog.
ReplyDeleteNice pics. The first one is awesome with all that snow. Hard to imagine snow right now.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are seasoned outdoors people. You are more concerned about UVA and UVB than any darn bear.
Oh, so pretty. Enchanted forest. *Sigh*
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic scene with the snow bordered lake in the sunshine ans the snow covered mountain.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot Janie, as always.
Such lovely scenery! :)
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed your posts from your trip to Mt. Rainier. It was one side trip we wanted to make when we were in the Pacific Northwest last fall but had to postpone. Your images are spectacular! Loved those osprey videos, too.
ReplyDeleteWow! The flora, fauna and vistas are all spectacular. I was astounded at the pasque flowers in such a large grouping. We have a very very few in early spring on steep hillsides and ridges here in Bluff Country.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful, you're making me homesick! I spent about 15 years in Seattle, and Mt Rainier is one of my favorite places. I did get to do a little hike there again in the spring.
ReplyDelete- The Equestrian Vagabond
VERY VERY cool!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he'd like vanilla oreos?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. Sometimes they are so breathtaking they make me cry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Sharing
Blessings!
Janet
I remember going to Mount Rainer National Park but it would be nice to get off the beaten path and check out those trails. The scenery is breathtaking. Thanks Janie.
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention that cute marmot too.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful place :)
ReplyDeleteHow sad that humans need rodents to pick up after them!
ReplyDeleteThe lake is a beautiful shade of blue. Looks like you had a perfect day to hike.
What a great place to be! Love all of the photos.
ReplyDeletehola amigos , hermosas postales , maravilla de paisajes . por eso las fotografía es mágica , un segundo queda gravado por siempre. un saludo desde el sur de America.
ReplyDeleteOh, Janie, you have been in our neck of the woods. We have had only one meager short visit to Sunrise this year--the first weekend it was open. Trails were still snowcovered. In a normal year we would have spent about five weekends by now.
ReplyDeleteStunning pictures as always!!
ReplyDeleteI looove the marmot, what a cutie :) And I love Rainer...sigh...
ReplyDelete