Sunrise hike on Mt. Rainier

These photos are taken at the most beautiful spot I've seen (so far) here in WA. This is the Sunrise trail on Mt. Rainier. There are many trails here to hike and these are photos from two of them. As I'm hiking, I'm trying to learn the flora of the area. I guess that's a hangover from my Botany class. The beautiful little flowers above are Mountain Lupine (purple) and Arnica (yellow). I would definitely add these to my garden, but they won't grow at a lower altitude. You have to hike to see them.
"The hills are alive..." No, I didn't burst into song, but felt like bursting into prayers of praise for the beauty around me.
Everywhere we walked we were looking at the scene above and below. What you see sort of in the center of the picture winding down the mountain is actually a glacier that feeds the White River.


Yes, I am standing on snow pack--in July! This was a hike that I got sunburned on, and yet I was at a point where I could wash my face in snow.

We ended one trail at this serene mountain lake. It is Shadow Lake and will gradually dry up as many have, and become a meadow filled with Lupines, Arnica, and Indian paintbrush (the pink flowers in my previous post. But for now, it is a most peaceful place to rest after hiking all day.

I hope this is not like pulling out the slide projector and forcing you to see my vacation pictures. I just think these are too beautiful to hide on my hard drive.