Mt. Rainier Wildflowers - In September!

For years I've wanted to go to Mt. Rainier when the wildflowers were blooming.  I'd heard that the meadows are breathtaking, and now I know the reports are correct.  Because of the late spring in the Northwest, the snow stayed late on the mountains, which pushed the peak bloom into September.  Often peak bloom is around a month or two earlier, depending on the elevation.

The lupines were lovely, accented with sunny yellow composites, and the fascinating seed heads from the Western Pasqueflower, (Anemone occidentalis).

 We got up early so we could make it to Tipsoo Lake, right along the highway at the eastern entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park.  Smoke from forest fires covered the mountain in a haze every day by noon.  I knew the mountain would look beautiful reflected on the lake in early morning light.

 The meadows were still dew covered.  The air was sweet with fragrance.

There were at least three different asters in the area.  I think this one is the Subalpine Daisy.

I found the seed heads from the Western Pasqueflower to be facinating, like a carefully styled hairdo.

The last time I saw Western Pasqueflower blooming by Tipsoo Lake was a few years ago, at the end of June.  I had no idea I'd find a fresh patch of blooms.  It was clear that up until just a couple weeks ago, these little plants had been sleeping under the snow.  But when the snow finally melted, these little flowers woke up, just as is they were raised from the dead, wrapped in robes of whitel

 Dew droplets sparked.

A new flower to me was Cusicks Speedwell (Veronica cusickii).  And now I think that Veronica is a lovely name, more blue the the sky.

 This pretty little aster was just opening.

 Lewis' Monkey Flower was in full bloom by all the streams.

I found my trip to Mt. Rainier to be a burst of spring and summer, in fall, refreshing me once again, even this late in the season. What a precious gift!

I wonder what the wildflowers will be like in the mountains of heaven?