A distant view of the Goat Rocks Range from Mount Rainier. A line of sharp peaks, a blue haze over the mountain range.The coniferous forests and highlands around Mount Rainier. Tall trees stand in orderly rows, bathed in autumn light.A small stream of snowmelt water flowing down the slopes of Mount Rainier. It winds its way through the highland grasslands.
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Mount Rainier and its surroundings

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View of the Goat Rocks Range (from Mount Rainier)

Looking southeast from the highlands of Mount Rainier National Park, you can see the Goat Rocks Range, characterized by sharp ridges carved by erosion.
This mountain area was once the center of volcanic activity, and today it offers a beautiful alpine landscape where bare rock contrasts with lingering snow.
Geologically significant, it stands as a counterpart to the majestic volcanic mass of Mount Rainier.

Mount Rainier’s Forests — Coniferous Forests Enveloping the Highlands

At elevations around 1,500 to 2,000 meters, subalpine forests spread out, densely covered with Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. The rhythm of light and shadow changing throughout the seasons is captivating; in autumn, the shrubs turn red, and in winter, the landscape is enveloped in a silvery-white stillness.

Meltwater — The Headwaters of Mount Rainier

The glaciers covering Mount Rainier melt into snowmelt water during the summer, flowing down to the foothills.
The narrow stream seen in this photo eventually transforms into a broad river, part of the headwaters that nurture a rich ecosystem.

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2025.10.31

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