Wildflowers galore in the meadow! Took this hike with the Mountaineers as part of the Naturist course and we identified over 50 different plant and flower species - including the Rainier lousewort, which in endemic to the Rainier area. Some flowers are starting to fade too so not sure how much longer the show will continue.
Of course this time of the year the Sunrise area is busy, but there weren't too many on the Berkely Park trail. Once at the trail juncture near Frozen Lake, it's a downward hike to the meadow which means uphill on the way back, bring plenty of water, although there is water along the trail right now. Trail is really dry and dusty, with intermittent rocks here and there, and there is very little shade so it's hot, but there was at least a breeze.
Saw a group of marmot and a golden mantle squirrel along the trail. A ranger mentioned that they'd spotted a bear and her cub a couple days earlier, but unfortunately no bear sightings for us.
Rainier was in a haze, but still visible, so hopefully the smoke from the BC fires is starting to dissipate.
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