Water droplet in lupine leaves.
Droplets of water collect in lupine leaves, forming countless "diamonds" in the park's meadows, along the Tolmie Peak trail.
Moss-draped vine maple highlighted by sunlight.
Moss-draped vine maple highlighted by sunlight.
Comet Falls avalanche comparision between July 31,2011 and July 16, 20...
Sometime during the winter of 2011-2012, a powerful avalanche cascaded over Comet Falls and filled the gorge below with large amounts of snow and debris. Many trees along the trail below the falls were toppled ... More
A beaver pond provides an aquatic habitat for wildlife in Longmire Mea...
A beaver pond provides an aquatic habitat for wildlife in Longmire Meadow. Beavers return every few years to rebuild their dam and dens. Often, a family of Canada geese is seen spending time around the meadow.
Visitors walk along boardwalk through a marshy area in Longmire Meadow...
Visitors walk along boardwalk through a marshy area in Longmire Meadow.
Black bear photographed at night
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Nurse log with many young saplings.
View from the Green Lake trail looking up at a nurse log covered with young trees.
Coyote photographed at night - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Hikers starting up the trail to Carter Falls from the trailhead and si...
Hikers starting up the trail to Carter Falls from the trailhead and sign.
Mount Rainier national park - Ripening thimbleberries
Thimbleberries ripen along the North Puyallup trail.
Skunk cabbage, coltsfoot, wood sorrel, and a myriad of other forest pl...
Skunk cabbage, coltsfoot, wood sorrel, and a myriad of other forest plants grow beneath the taller trees along the Twin Firs Trail.
Coyote photographed at night - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
A section of a historic cable-wrapped cedar water pipe for a former po...
A section of a historic cable-wrapped cedar water pipe for a former powerplant along the trail to Carter Falls.
A hiker ascends the forested trail from Lake George to Gobblers Knob.
A hiker ascends the forested trail from Lake George to Gobblers Knob.
Madcap Falls along the Paradise River.
Madcap Falls along the Paradise River.
Hikers scramble up the last few feet of the Eagle Peak Trail.
Hikers scramble up the last few feet of the Eagle Peak Trail.
Trail ascending Burroughs Mountain.
From a five-way trail junction adjacent to Frozen Lake, hikers follow the route to Burroughs Mountain as it ascends across fragile slopes.
At the Eagle Cliff Viewpoint, a hiker enjoys broad vistas.
At the Eagle Cliff Viewpoint, hikers enjoy broad vistas of the North Mowich River valley, the North Mowich Glacier, and the rocky ridges radiating from Mount Rainier's towering northwestern face.
A park ranger leads an interpretive walk through old-growth forest on ...
A park ranger leads an interpretive walk through old-growth forest on the trail to the Grove of the Patriarchs.
People walk across a footbridge over the Nisqually River on their way ...
People walk across a footbridge over the Nisqually River on their way up to Carter Falls.
The Pinnacle Peak trail goes along a cliff with a view of Mount Rainie...
The Pinnacle Peak trail goes along a cliff with a view of Mount Rainier.
View of Gobblers Knob (center) and Mount Wow (left) from Klapatche Poi...
View of Gobblers Knob (center) and Mount Wow (left) from Klapatche Point.
The Eastside Trail crosses a footbridge over the crest of Ohanapecosh ...
The Eastside Trail crosses a footbridge over the crest of Ohanapecosh Falls.
Snowshoe hare photographed at night
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
The view from atop Burroughs Mountain includes Mount Fremont and Berke...
From atop Burroughs Mountain, the view northward includes Mount Fremont and the broad meadows of Berkeley Park. The Wonderland Trail is also seen coursing through the meadows below.
Eagle Peak and talus slope viewed from the trail to Carter Falls.
Eagle Peak and talus slope viewed from the trail to Carter Falls.
Former road turned North Puyallup trail
Young trees growing in former road, now the North Puyallup trail.
A person viewing Ranger Falls, on a spur from the Green Lake trail.
A person viewing Ranger Falls, on a spur from the Green Lake trail.
Young deer fern sprouts uncurl.
Young deer fern sprouts uncurl. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
A view of Mount Rainier from the Pinnacle Peak trail.
A view of Mount Rainier from the Pinnacle Peak trail. Public domain photograph of hiking trail, National Parks tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Subalpine meadows on the upper slopes of Eagle Peak.
Subalpine meadows on the upper slopes of Eagle Peak.
Spotted skunk photographed at night
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Eagle Peak trail switchbacks to ascend the high subalpine slopes.
Eagle Peak trail switchbacks to ascend the high subalpine slopes.
Bracket fungi on a stump along the Green Lake trail.
Bracket fungi on a stump along the Green Lake trail.
A bee pollinates an American bistort flower along the trail above Lake...
A bee pollinates an American bistort flower along the trail above Lake George.
Spray Falls in Mount Rainier National Park
The airy cascade of Spray Falls drops 350 feet down a cliff below the meadows of Spray Park. Use caution when traversing the steep, rocky slopes below the falls.
The Carbon River Trail passes through a temperate rain forest.
The Carbon River Trail passes through a temperate rain forest. This section of trail can be enjoyed either on foot or with a bicycle.
A viewpoint along Trail of the Shadows offers a vista across Longmire ...
A viewpoint along Trail of the Shadows offers a vista across Longmire Meadow to Mount Rainier (weather permitting).
Mount Rainier national park - Tiger lily
Tiger lilies brighten the meadows along Shriner Peak Trail. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Young shoots of false hellebore
Young shoots of false hellebore (also known as corn lilies) sprout from Shriner Peak's meadows that have just recently become free of snow.
Red fox photographed at night - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Green Lake with a little ice still on it at the end of May.
Green Lake with a little ice still on it at the end of May.
Comet Falls with trees broken and shattered by the 2012 avalanche.
Comet Falls with trees broken and shattered by the 2012 avalanche.
Cliff at Ipsut Pass on the Wonderland Trail.
Fog-shrouded cliffs tower over the Wonderland Trail at Ipsut Pass, a short side-trip from the route to Tolmie Peak.
A hiker crosses a log footbridge over Deer Creek along the Eastside Tr...
A hiker crosses a log footbridge over Deer Creek along the Eastside Trail.
Mount Rainier national park - Marissa Reis
Marissa Reis, 2013 Mosaics in Science Program participant leading an interpretive talk at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington.
Pine marten photographed at night
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The Comet Falls Trail passes open, rocky hillsides covered with vine m...
The Comet Falls Trail passes open, rocky hillsides covered with vine maple, Sitka alder, and various evergreen trees.
A hiker follows the Chenuis Falls Trail across the broad, rocky channe...
A hiker follows the Chenuis Falls Trail across the broad, rocky channel of the Carbon River. On clear days, the summit of Mount Rainier is visible in the distance.
Gobblers Knob fire lookout - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
A historic brown wooden building, it perches atop a rocky outcrop at an elevation of 5485 feet.
The Eastside Trail follows a placid stretch of the Ohanapecosh River n...
The Eastside Trail follows a placid stretch of the Ohanapecosh River near the Grove of the Patriarchs.
Bobcats photographed at night - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bobcats photographed at night - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Bikes parked at the trailhead for Green Lake.
Bikes parked at the trailhead for Green Lake. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Chenuis Falls tumbles down its rocky cascade.
Chenuis Falls tumbles down its rocky cascade. Public domain photograph of wilderness, tourism, National Parks, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Vanilla leaf, and various ferns, grow on the shady floor of the Grove ...
Vanilla leaf, and various ferns, grow on the shady floor of the Grove of the Patriarchs' old-growth forest.
Golden-mantled ground squirrel in the Sunrise area.
Golden-mantled ground squirrel in the Sunrise area. Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Black bear sign - National Parks Gallery
Along the Shriner Peak Trail, look for evidence of black bears. Trees with scratch marks and freshly-peeled bark are a sign that they've been recently using the trail too!
Close-up of cable-wrapped cedar water pipe alongside trail to Carter F...
Close-up of cable-wrapped cedar water pipe alongside trail to Carter Falls.
Beargrass blooms along Eagle Peak trail.
Beargrass blooms along Eagle Peak trail. Public domain scan of drawing, botanical illustration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bobcats photographed at night - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
A visitor stands amid the old-growth forest along the trail to Green L...
A visitor stands amid the old-growth forest along the trail to Green Lake.
Carbon River Trail near bank damage from Carbon River.
The Carbon River Trail parallels its namesake river that originates at the Carbon Glacier. Numerous floods have caused the river to jump its banks and damage the trail (formerly a road), leaving occasional roug... More
Tolmie Peak trailhead on Mowich Lake Road.
The Tolmie Peak Trailhead lies at the last bend in the Mowich Lake Road before the road ends at Mowich Lake itself.
Hikers sitting on Burroughs Mountain take in spectacular views of Moun...
Hikers sitting on Burroughs Mountain take in spectacular views of Mount Rainier's northeastern side and the glaciers that slowly grind their way down its slopes.
Hiker on the Eastside Trail as it winds through miles of old-growth fo...
Hiker on the Eastside Trail as it winds through miles of old-growth forest.
Rock cairns are often seen marking the Chenuis Falls Trail as it cross...
Rock cairns are often seen marking the Chenuis Falls Trail as it crosses the rocky floodplain of the Carbon River.
Much of the Eagle Peak Trail climbs steep slopes through dense stands ...
Much of the Eagle Peak Trail climbs steep slopes through dense stands of old-growth forest.
Silver Falls rages with June snowmelt.
Silver Falls rages with June snowmelt. Perched logs tell of the power and magnitude of previous floods on the Ohanapecosh River.
Clover Lake on the Palisades Lakes Trail
A dirt trail leads through a sub-alpine meadow with flowers to Clover Lake. A forested ridge lies behind the lake.
A park ranger leads a group of visitors on the boardwalk around the Gr...
A park ranger leads a group of visitors on the boardwalk around the Grove of the Patriarchs.
Water on Comet Falls plummets 320 feet to its base. A hiker enjoys the...
Water on Comet Falls plummets 320 feet to its base. A hiker enjoys the spray.
Pearly Everlasting bloom along the North Puyallup trail.
Pearly Everlasting bloom along the North Puyallup trail.
Ancient trees reach toward the sky along the Twin Firs Trail.
Ancient trees reach toward the sky along the Twin Firs Trail.
Yakima Peak rises to the northwest of Tipsoo Lake.
Yakima Peak rises to the northwest of Tipsoo Lake.
Visitors in the Paradise Inn lobby.
Visitors relax in the Paradise Inn lobby, listening to music on a piano. The same piano and furniture is still located in the Inn lobby.
Hiker using a log footbridge to cross over the Carbon River on the Che...
Hiker using a log footbridge to cross over the Carbon River on the Chenuis Falls trail.
Visitors lie on a platform looking up at twin ancient Douglas-fir tree...
Visitors lie on a platform looking up at twin ancient Douglas-fir trees.
National parks: pinesap - public domain image
A mycoheterotrophic plant known as pinesap emerges from the forest floor. Lacking chlorophyll, these mycoheterotrophs rely on soil fungus to get their nutrients.
At the end of the Eagle Peak Trail, a hiker is rewarded with views eas...
At the end of the Eagle Peak Trail, a hiker is rewarded with views eastward toward Pinnacle Peak and the crest of the Tatoosh Range.
A hiker follows the Chenuis Falls Trail across the broad, rocky channe...
A hiker follows the Chenuis Falls Trail across the broad, rocky channel of the Carbon River. On clear days, the summit of Mount Rainier is visible in the distance.
Golden Gate Trail wildflowers - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Wildflowers along the Golden Gate Trail in Paradise
Raven photographed at night - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Spotted skunk photographed at night
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
View of Mount Rainier from the end of the maintained Eagle Peak trail.
View of Mount Rainier from the end of the maintained Eagle Peak trail.
Ipsut Pass wildflowers - National Parks Gallery
Diverse numbers of wildflowers blooming include paintbrush, yarrow, Oregon sunshine, penstemon, and in the bottom left, tiger lily. Photo taken July 18, 2016 along Ipsut Pass.
Tokaloo Rock as seen from the end of North Puyallup trail.
Tokaloo Rock as seen from the end of North Puyallup trail.
Douglas-fir with a person for scale.
A douglas-fir along the Green Lake trail. A person stands beside it for scale.
Hikers use the Pacific Crest Trail, which crosses over SR 410 at Chino...
Hikers use the Pacific Crest Trail, which crosses over SR 410 at Chinook Pass via a historic stone and log footbridge.
Coltsfoot blooms at the base of a dead tree.
Coltsfoot blooms at the base of a dead tree.
A wall of columnar andesite along the North Puyallup trail.
A wall of columnar andesite along the North Puyallup trail.
Flying squirrel photographed at night
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Visitors follow the trail up to a bridge with devil's club and skunk c...
Visitors follow the trail up to a bridge with devil's club and skunk cabbage alongside.
National parks: foamflowers - public domain image
Graceful foamflowers grow in the undergrowth of the old-growth forest.
Pine marten photographed at night
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Flying squirrel photographed at night
Picryl description: Public domain image of a park, trees, outdoors, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Hikers at the southern end of Naches Peak loop trail take in the view ...
At the southern end of Naches Peak loop trail, a viewpoint offers vistas southward.
Hiker crosses Carbon River on a log bridge on their way to Chenuis Fal...
Hiker crosses Carbon River on a log bridge.
Golden eagle photographed at night
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
A boulder turned over can be a sign of bears.
When hungry and looking for food, a bear might turn over boulders, leaving behind signs of their presence.