When I say “subalpine meadow monitoring,” I can guess the image that appears in your mind. The first time I heard about our season-long project, I was picturing rolling green Sound of Music hills, complete with frolicking and wildflowers and birdsong. And while we do...
I didn’t realize how much I would miss the mountain until I left for a few days. The quiet, the green, the omnipresence of the mountain watching over us even when we can’t see her. The people, the simplicity of the daily routine, the distinct...
PART 1: FRAGILITY When you visit Mount Rainier, odds are that you go up to the Paradise area of the park. Known for its showy wildflowers and mountain views, it is one of the most highly visited sections of the park, and has the impacts to...
Mount Rainier is ringed by fields and meadows of subalpine ecosystems. The stark outline of the glaciers and ancient lava flows are an incredible contrast to the mass of color and life that, somewhat surprisingly, thrives at 6,000 feet. In late summer, even after a...
My favorite part of my Mosaics in Science internship so far has been my work environment. Yes, I love the people I work with in the Park – and they are all incredible. However, I also can not get enough of the breath-taking ecosystems I...
As I begin my Mosaics internship, I am realizing I have a lot to learn. My internship focuses on rare carnivores in Mount Rainier. The rare carnivores in the Park that I will be working with are the Cascade Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes cascadensis), Wolverine...
Mt. Rainier played host to a wonderful summer season of meaningful connections and vibrant beauty. The experience could not have been more perfect. The ribbon that tied this beautiful gift together was the entire staff, in particular, the team of interpreters I had the pleasure...
Established as a national park in 1899, before the National Park Service was created in 1916, Mount Rainier National Park is a prized jewel of the Pacific Northwest. 2 million people visit annually, most coming between the months of July and August. Ranger programs began...
Less than a year ago, I was selecting classes for my spring 2018 semester with the intent to graduate. I was 2 courses away from graduation. Due to the unavailability of a second class in spring and summer, graduation was postponed until fall. What was I...
It's a great hike!" About seven and a half miles round-trip, 3000 feet of elevation gain. No problem. You'll only reach the saddle, but you can do a ten-minute scramble to reach the peak. "A scramble?" I thought to myself. Being from Florida, I'm not familiar with mountain...