Mt. Rainier thrusts up to through the surrounding forests rising to over 14,400 feet out, dominating the landscape.

From this ridge, deep inside a wilderness many miles away from this iconic volcanic peak, these trees sit at the head of a long deep canyon, where past and present generations bear witness to Rainier’s enduring existence.

While backpacking through this wilderness we stopped here and camped for a night. As we settled in for the evening, a herd of white-haired mountain goats crossed the cliffs just below us, barely acknowledging our existence..