Bear Grass gone

waterfall detail

waterfa

Dewey Lake

new gateway

anenome--seed heads at this time of year at this altitude

paintbrush

Along the edge

Setting the scene for the next several days of photos

Hide n Seek

From many parts of the valley, Mt. Rainier is visible in part. Here peaking over the ridge.

Mt. Rainier--another angle

Always dreaming

Snow crystals macro

golden glow at sunset

Setting out again.

This is an old trip. Expect new ones soon.

It's a long way to Paradise.

This was taken about three years ago. The weather was similar today.

If it weren't so far in winter, we would have made a day trip for sure. In winter we have to go over the pass and around to the west entrance to get to Paradise--about 80 miles farther than the summer route and in winter conditions. It takes more than four hours.

Fork in the Road

This was last week on one of our hikes.

Chip attack

This bird is a Clark's Nuthatcher. We met him New Year's on the porch of  the National Park Inn at Longmire in Mt. Rainier National Park. 

The Clark's Nuthatcher and his cousin the Gray Jay are known far and wide by another name.

They are CAMP ROBBERS!

One summer I had one steal a strip of bacon while I turned to fry the eggs.

Doesn't he have a smug proud-of-himself look on his face?

They don't restrict themselves to camping season. 

They are around in the winter as well, here on the porch at the Inn, in the parking lots checking out the visitors' snacks, paying no attention to the  Keep Wildlife Wild, Don't Feed the Animals signs.

Trying to get at the homemade potato chips leftover from lunch.

Snow on the nearby peaks

creekside

Snow Arches