The very warm light of a newly risen Sun casts spotlights on the cold summit of Mount Rainier. You can see the edge of the East Crater in the upper left. On the far side of that crater is the high point of this massive volcano at 14,411 feet. Center-left the Nisqually Glacier's icy flow can be seen descending steeply down this southeast face towards Paradise.
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The East Crater of Mount Rainier's immense summit can be seen edge on in this view from Sunrise under patchy sunshine. This outcropping of black rock contrasts with the Emmons (down and to the left) and Winthrop (down and right) glaciers as they flow down from the 14,411ft summit. The whole scene just looks precarious to me with enormous crevasses ledges and cornices. It seems as if you made a loud noise the whole mountain side could suddenly slide off like snow on an angled roof. Indeed coupled with an eruption that may well happen someday.
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A pocket of dead trees stands out in the dense forests surrounding the massive volcano that is Mount Rainier. Perhaps hidden from view here is a fumarole that has formed, causing the death of the trees in this spot. Whatever the cause, it was an interesting break in the gorgeous rolling forest on the slopes of Rainier.
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Mount Rainier stands tall as an enormous ice-covered volcano. Glaciers flow down from the summit in every direction, as Rainier is home to the snowiest place on Earth where snowfall is measured regularly (Paradise). Since Paradise is at just 5400 feet, one might consider how much more snow falls on the upper reaches of this mountain 9,000 feet higher, providing ice fuel for the many rivers of ice.
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Mount Rainier’s 14,411 foot summit towers 10,000 feet above the valley floor in the lower left of frame from this view near the Sunrise Visitor’s Center in Mount Rainier National Park. This was one of the most dramatic viewpoints I have seen of this sleeping volcano, one of the most dangerous in the United States. You can see the ribbon of the White River traced right to its source at the base of the Emmons Glacier. The extensive network of glaciers that flow down from the summit are a huge factor in the danger here. An eruption could melt ice, releasing tremendous lahar debris flows into the valleys and rivers beyond. Many of the campgrounds in the park have warnings about the potential danger. Fortunately Rainier sleeps, affording spectacular views like this one.
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