Just came back from Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, from a day trip. Mount Rainier is the tallest of the volcanic peaks in the Cascade Range. I had wanted to see what the Paradise Meadows looked like after a long spring meltout. Just last month, feet a snow still covered them. But the temperatures have quickly warmed up and the snow is quickly receding, and the springtime, subalpine wildflowers are exuberant. Yes, the springtime flowers! Lots of Glacier Lilies, Avalanche Lilies, and Western Anemones fill the subalpine meadows. I’m looking forward to seeing meadows full of beautiful, blue Lupine during the month of August, when all the summer flowers will be in full bloom.
I hiked the short trail up to Myrtle Falls, where one can view many meadows full of wildflowers. The short walk down the steep steps to the falls overlook is well worth it; otherwise, you cannot see the falls from the main trail.
Myrtle Falls
Here are some images of the wildflower meadows near the waterfall area. The flowers that are predominant in these meadows at this time are the yellow Glacier Lilies and white Western Anemones (Pasqueflower). White Avalanche Lilies are in abundance along the lower trails as well.
And here is one of the park’s denizens, the Hoary Marmot, feasting on meadow wildflowers.
Hoary Marmot
Along the lower trails at Paradise, lovely Avalanche Lilies grow in abundance.
Avalanche Lilies
Another wildflower that is prominent in the Paradise Meadows is the Sitka Valerian.
Sitka ValerianHere and there, I spotted some beautiful Magenta Paintbrush.
Magenta Paintbrush
I spotted many other common, subalpine wildflowers, such as Pink Monkeyflower, Rosy Spirea, Cusick’s Speedwell, Jeffrey’s Shooting Star, Cascade Aster, Mountain Heather, Fan-leaf Cinquefoil, Broadleaf Arnica, American Bistort, and Beargrass. There are many more, just too numerous to list.
Mount Rainier National Park has one of the greatest number of species of wildflowers found throughout the world. Come see their beauty!
All images property of Peggy A Thompson
Peggy Thompson
Utterly magnificent!
Gorgeous images, Peggy! The Marmot was a special touch. What a marvelous capture!
Thank you, Gunta! I so wanted to get up there to see the spring meadow flowers. A heat wave is just starting here and I am afraid that most of the delicate lilies will fade away rather quickly. So I am grateful that I got to see them when I did. And yes, the marmots are always fun to watch. I managed to also get some video of him. Funny, after all these years of photographing, I had never thought of taking short video shots with my camera!