Photos

I am continuing with a photo of Mount Rainier National Park. This photo was taken in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park

About this photo: On our first day we wanted to go to Paradise which would have been 45 minutes driving from where we stayed. We left early as I wanted some morning light, but when we got to the Stevens Canyon entrance there were signs that the road was closed due to a landslide or something. So, we had to drive all the way back and follow a forest road and take the entrance near Longmire. This trip was about 2 hours and some instead of the 45 minutes we had anticipated. By the time we got to the trail, hiked part of the Nisqually trail, the early sunlight was gone...but the scene was still very pretty and worthy of some photos!

~Camera Settings:
*Camera Model: Sony Alpha DSLR A200
*Focal Length: 20mm
*F-Number: F/11
*Exposure Time: 1/80 sec.
*ISO Speed: ISO-100
*Exposure Program: Aperture Priority (A)
*Exposure Compensation (E/V): -0.3 step

I used a circular polarizer and I added some contrast and saturation in Photoshop to this photo to bring out the colours a little more.

Thank you for dropping by and I hope you like this photo!
Ann :)

Some information about Mount Rainier National Park: Mount Rainier National Park was established in 1899 and has a size of about 235,625 acres (97% is designated Wilderness) and this includes Mount Rainier (14,410ft/4392m). Mount Rainier is an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows. Whether hiking on its flanks, climbing its summit, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on its slopes, camping along its glacier-fed rivers, photographing wildflower displays in subalpine meadows, or just admiring the view, nearly two million people go here to enjoy the grandeur and beauty of Mount Rainier each year.

The park is devided into five areas, which are accessible from different areas:
1. Longmire: The Longmire Historic District is located at about 6.5mi/10.5km from the eastern park entrance at an elevation of 2640ft/800m. John Longmire was one of the first men to ever climb Mount Rainier in 1883. After his descend he bumped into an area of hot springs and he was so impressed that he returned a year later with his wife. He built a hotel in this area which was called The Mineral Springs Resort. After 1899 when Mount Rainier and it's surrounding area got the "National Park" status, Longmire was used as the park's headquarters. At the moment this building is a museum, The Longmire Museum which is one of the oldest museums of the National Park Servisce. Other visitor facilities in this area are the Wilderness Information Centre and a hotel.

2. Paradise: Paradise is located further down from Longmire and is one of the most visited areas in the park. Paradise is located at an elevation of 5280ft/1600m and is popular for the beautiful wildflowers in the summer, the enormous amounts of snow in the winter and an amazing view of Mount Rainier. It might be hard to find a parking spot during peak times in this area. There is a visitor centre here (the Jackson Memorial Visitor Centre) and the beautiful Paradise Inn Hotel.

3. Ohanapecosh: The eastside of the park is much dryer and sunnier than the westisde, so this is a good area to visit if it's too wet and foggy at Longmire or Paradise. This Ohanapecosh area is located in a quiet and densly forested area, about 1.9mi/3km north of the park entrance of this side of the park. Near the Ohanapecosh River you can find a visitor centre, a ranger station, the Ohanapecosh campground and picnic area. This area is only open from May until October. State Route 123 is closed during the winter months.

4. Sunrise/White River: This area is found in the north eastern corner of the park and accessibility is only from May until November. In the east a road enters from Chinook Pass (5,430ft/ 1,656m) and a little ways further you can find beautiful Tipsoo Lake which is surrounded by wildflowers in the summer. Via the turn off of the Mather Memorial Parkway you can go to the Sunrise/White River area. There is a turn of to the White River area which offers a Wilderness Information centre where you can get climbing or wilderness permits and information on hiking. If you continue it will take about 11mi/17km to get to the Sunrise area and parking lot which is located at an elevation of 6,400ft/1,950m. This road is only open from the end of June/beginning of July until the end of September/beginning of October. Sunrise is a busy area due to the beautiful views of Mount Rianier, many different hiking trails and of course the beautiful wildflowers that bloom here. In this area there is also the Sunrise Visitor Centre, The Sunrisde Day Lodge where you can have a bit to eat or visit the giftshop.

5. Carbon paper River/Mowich Lake: This area is located in the northwestern part of the park and can be reach from a small place called Wilkeson on Highway 165. Here you can also find a Visitor Centre where you can get permits and information. The highway here turns into a gravel road, so you might need a car with high clearance. The road floods frequently, so make sure you check before you go to visit this area. This area has several hiking trails and beautiful lakes, it is also the area with the heaviest rainfall in the park.