Fresh snow on the mountain
I spent yesterday up at Mt. Rainier showing a friend who's not from around these parts one of my favorite places. The weather was brilliant--meaning we had some clear views of the mountain, but the clouds were constantly on the move. We could be in warm sunshine one minute, and covered in a dense fog the next. Few sightings of wildflowers, brightly colored foliage, and new snow on top all signal that winter is coming to the mountain.
We came across some of the locals getting ready for winter in one of the snowiest places on Earth. Follow me along the path from Paradise for more.
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all photos are lightboxed
A close-up of the foliage below the mountain. No more berries, just lots of amazing colors:
Some of the few remaining wildflowers:
The locals. Specifically, the marmots. Even more specifically, hoary marmots that live in the meadows below the mountain.
They foraged
Kept watch
Rested (while keeping watch)
And kept track of each other by repeating a sharp yell that sounds like a whistle
I'm guessing--or maybe hoping--that my next trip to the mountain will include some snow shoeing or cross-country skiing.
Of course for some folks, ski season never ends:
Now It's Your Turn What are you and the locals up to now that the weather is changing in many places around the country? What are you observing? Please post your own observations and your general location in the comments
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