I don’t take selfies very often, but decided to make an exception on Saturday when I was seated on Dege Peak (elevation 6982 ft (2128 m)) with Mount Rainier prominently behind me. I must confess, though, that I started my hike at 6100 feet (1859 m), so it is not all that impressive, though my iPhone indicates that I climbed the equivalent of 54 floors that day.
On previous visits to Mount Rainier, I have always entered at the Nisqually entrance that allows you to go as far as the Paradise Visitor Center, which is located at an elevation of 5400 ft (1645 m). It is the most easily accessible entrance and is therefore crowded most of the time.
During Saturday’s trip, I entered the park via the Sunrise entrance, which is located 60 miles (97 km) from the Nisqually entrance. The Sunrise entrance is open only from the beginning of July, when the snow is finally cleared, to early September. The Sunrise visitor center, located at an elevation of 6400 feet (1950 m), is the highest point you can access by car in the park.
I never did make it to the visitor center parking lot, which was crowded. Instead I stopped at a parking area at 6100 feet (1859 m) and hiked along the Sourdough Ridge Trail that took me up even higher than the visitor center. The views were spectacular and I was alone most of the time.
The second image shows one of those amazing views of Mount Rainier from that trail. I felt like I was looking straight across at the snow-covered mountain, although in actuality the peak of Mt Rainier was much higher at an elevation of 14,411 ft (4392 m).
I captured the final image of Sunrise Lake by looking back in the direction that I had hiked. The beautiful little lake was located just below Sunrise Point, where my car was parked.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wonderful shots of a beautiful place. I used to haul out there every 4 days I always said if I left New England that is where I would land.
Lucky you. Great photography.
Looking good, Michael! Such beautiful pictures!
Oh how wonderful to see these spectacular photos of Mt. Rainier, Michael. I truly love this mountain, and it is almost never so clear and visually available with the weather that surrounds it. Your hike sounds equally as impressive, and fun to see you in the selfie.
Thanks, Jet. I was fortunate to have good weather the days that I visited Mt Rainier. During several the other days, clouds and/or haze really obscured the view.
Beautiful views Mike, loved.
What stunning scenery and a spectacular location. Thank you for sharing your hike with us.
Any idea what type of moth is this
Wow, what a gorgeous place, Mike–beautiful captures. Having a selfie on such a trip makes a great memory 😃
Thanks, Ellen. In the old days I might have used a tripod and self-timer. Nowadays, it’s a whole lot easier with a cell phone. 🙂
When I was growing up my dad had a camera with a timer that he would perch on the piano or a rock if we were outside. He often made it into the family shot before the time was up, but not always! Fun memories.
I love the memory. That’s the way that things used to be and many of us remember those old ways.