Wildflowers in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
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Come Rainier or shine
Under the glacial gaze of Mount Rainier in the state of Washington, USA, a carpet of wildflowers bursts into life. Every summer, the meadows around this mountain are coloured with vivid shades of blooming subalpine flowers: purple asters, pink coralroot and yellow tiger lilies are just some of the plants on show here. Also known as Tahoma, at over 4,300 metres, Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain in the state. It is covered by 93 square kilometres of glaciers and permanent snowfields, making it the mountain with the highest glacier cover in the lower 48 states.
Mount Rainier National Park is a 957-square-kilometre area that encompasses mountains, waterfalls, meadows and old-growth forests. As well as a range of flora, the park teems with life, from cougars and beavers to bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Mount Rainier National Park is a popular climbing destination, with some 10,000 people attempting to scale the mountain every year. Visitors can also enjoy hiking along a variety of trails. It's never sunnier in Rainier than in July and August, making it the perfect time to visit.