Pacific NorthWest 2009 - August Photo

Mount Rainier

A carpet of lupine blooming in the alpine foothills of Mount Rainier accentuates the expanse of the nearly 4-mile long Nisqually Glacier. Its own weather maker, Mount Rainier rises over 7000 feet above the crest of the Cascade Range. It interrupts prevailing moist Pacific airflow attracting abundant precipitation. As a result, glaciers expand or shrink in relation to climatic conditions.