Photos by terpene

Intrepid hikers strike out across Snow Lake, apparently not worried about falling through (note several bunched together to add to the excitement).

While it was dark and drear down below, we basked in the sun.

Not that many years ago this viewpoint was known by few hikers.

Tatoosh Range as seen from Paradise Glacier trail.

Camp Delaney Environmental Learning Center, Sun Lakes State Park near Coulee City

Camp Delaney Environmental Learning Center, Sun Lakes State Park

A Western Rattlesnake curled amongst the rocks on the Umtanum Ridge Crest Trail

Hairy Manzanita (Arctostaphylos columbiana) on the summit of Little Si

One of the many small, often overlooked gems to be found at Deception Pass

Early morning light breaks through the fog.

Intensely colored flowers of Large-flowered Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia grandiflora). Though the name says "Large-flowered", they are quite small (12-19 mm), though they seem huge compared to the tiny (4-7mm) flowers of Small-flowered Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora)

One of many interesting wildflowers that grow in the flower meadows of the Summit at Snoqualmie ski area at Snoqualmie Pass, and through which the Pacific Crest Trail runs

Tweedy's Lewisia in its favorite cliffside habitat. The finest specimens are usually found high up on a sunny rock. I took this shot while clinging to the cliff with one hand and holding the camera above my head with the other, aiming by "guesstimation". The shot was made easier by using a 14mm super-wide angle lens with huge depth of field.

Morning sun on Mt. Index as hikers approach Lake Serene. The lake nestles at the base of the mountain.

The birthplace of Twentytwo Creek

As seen from Polallie Ridge. Don't blink or you'll miss it!

Mt. Rainier as seen from the tip of Flett Glacier in krummholz country. To the left is Observation Rock. Get there by following a boot path from the upper reaches of Spray Park.

Mt. Rainier finally appears along the trail to Summerland

A curious Pika checks out the strange two-legged creature on the trail. Found in the first talus field of Kendall Katwalk.

The trail comes up the far side of the ridge, then follows the ridge to Benchmark Mountain

Baring Mountain seen from Barclay Lake

Taken with a long lens (~400mm) so you'll need binoculars to see this perspective