Mount Rainier : Crest of Serenity

Mount Rainier : Crest of Serenity 

                           - Pradeep Gupta 

Today  I traveled to Mount Rainier area from Sunrise Point side. To me it was a journey to a place which connect human with the crest of serenity, as long as you stay in the area, you simply forget your worries , tensions and mundane world surrounding you. In fact the serenity lingers for many days, weeks, months even after coming back. 

So what is so special about Mount Rainier ? It can be felt when one visit the area rather difficult to express in words. 

Well Mount Rainier is the tallest volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range in the Washington State of America , it is covered with thick sheet of snow year round, it is known as the most glaciated peak in the continental United States. It has the largest alpine glacial system outside of Alaska. This  has a topographic prominence of 13,210 ft (4,026 m), greater than that of K2, the world's second-tallest mountain, at 13,189 ft (4,020 m).

Basaltic columns and other remnants of early eruptions and lava flows reveal ancient geologic history of this Mount. Nine major rivers and their tributaries drain down the flanks of the mountain. They include the Nisqually, Puyallup , Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. Yet on the summit , steam escapes from the deep within the mountain’s core, is a reminder that it is still an active volcano.

Apart from these impressive technical details, what is so unique about Mount Rainier ? Well it has unique experience whether you be there in the Rainier area during night or day. If you spend night in the area, you can enjoy celestial view of planets and constellations which is very unique. During early hours of morning , from Sunrise Point one can enjoy view sun rising from the east and the early morning rays create magic of kaleidoscopic colors on the white screen of thick snow. 

Every season has its own charm of visit. During spring  time, snow gradually start melting first in the foothills, beneath the old growth forest variety of flowers bloom. Come summer, across the sub alpine region one can enjoy profuse wild flowers display and pollinating insects bring back life to the meadows some what very similar to valley of flower in Uttrakhand . And during summer as well as early fall various trails decks up  to welcome hikers. Birds and mammals forage on abundance before winter quickly returns. But winter has its own charm in the region it invites the ski lovers. 

My immediate reaction after seeing the mighty summit was - Oh it looks very similar to  the mighty Kailash ! In fact, locals , visiter as well as  hikers pay lot of respect and reverence, keep the area clean free from garbage that is the beauty . Without performing any kind of puja  or rituals the visiters enjoy loads of serenity and close encounter with nature at its best that is the magic of Mount Rainier !