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Mount Rainier National Park

Citizens At Work: Streamflow Research At Mount Rainier National Park

Nothing beats a day spent hiking a trail through the spectacular subalpine meadows of Mount Rainier National Park – except maybe combining that hike with the opportunity to contribute to important research by volunteering as a citizen scientist. That’s how a small group of donors and Board members from Washington’s National Park Fund spent a recent Saturday, hiking from Paradise down to Reflection Lakes with Mount Rainier’s aquatic ecologist, Rebecca Lofgren and collecting data on streamflow along the way.

Wildfire Smoke In A National Park Affects More Than Just Landscape Visibility

National parks in one state are subject to wildfire smoke wafting in from other states on fire. This smelly, thick haze affects more than just one's ability to view the scenery. It also impacts human health along with the health of wildlife and plant life. But how? After a recent trip into Mount Rainier National Park, where smoke from wildfires in California and Oregon hid much of the landscape, turned the sky and atmosphere a dirty yellow, and smelled strongly of burning wood, photographer Rebecca Latson tried to find some answers to her questions.

Photography In The National Parks: Capturing Sunrise, Sunset, And The Milky Way At Mount Rainier’s Sunrise Area

If you enjoy photographing sunrises, sunsets, and/or the stars in a national park, the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park is definitely a must-see-and-photograph location you should place on your bucket list. You might or might not encounter long waits and large crowds, but it’s a good idea to prepare for the possibility, and bring along a mask or two for your safety as well as the safety of others on the trail.

A busy summer Saturday night at Sunrise, Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier at night, with stars and the Milky Way in view and a very busy parking lot with people on the trails, Mount Rainier National Park

During the summer, on a clear night when the Milky Way is out, and especially on a weekend, the Sunrise area is busy even at 11:00 p.m. (and later). You can see why. "The Mountain," blanketed overhead with stars against an inky sky, is every bit as incredible at night as it is during the day.

Rebecca Latson

INN Member

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