Mt St Helens, the Milky Way Galaxy, and an orange glow of light pollution from Portland, Oregon. This was taken 36 years after the Volcano blew on May 28th, 1980, from the Johnston Ridge Observatory which was obliterated during it’s explosion. Helens may not be competing for the tallest volcano in the Pacific Northwest, but it sure is the most unique and shows an epic and relatively recent geological event.

Paintbrush and Cascade Penstemons waking up during a summer bloom at Mt St Helens

Climbers begin their midnight ascent of Mt Rainier, 14,411 feet tall, amidst a meteor shower and the summer Milky Way scintillating overhead. Climbers start their ascent at night as the glacial ice is frozen and more stable.

A calm night among wildflowers, forest, and deer in the backcountry of Mt Rainier

Alpine meadows of Lupines and white puffy Bistorts under Mt Rainier

A bowl of fruity pebbles

Wildflower meadows around Tipsoo Lake

Sunrise on the South side of Rainier

Large bouquets of Bear Grass, Mt Rainier, light pollution from Portland, and the Milky Way

Alpine meadows and alpine glow. Sunrises near the Sunrise visitor center are wonderful.

Vibrant Indian Paintbrush wildflowers around the outskirts of Rainier

My girlfriend Hailey posing during a night hike at the 2nd Burroughs Mountain. This trail leads you up close & personal to the big volcano Rainier.

Twilight during a nice walk around the Sunrise area of Mt Rainier.

Mt Rainier and the Milky Way Galaxy shrouded in haze from nearby wildfires during a dry summer.

Bear Grass and Rainier basking in Moonlight, as I relaxed in this field waiting for the moonset and Milky Way to come out.

Backcountry night hikes around Mt Rainier, Washington.

One of my favorite views of the cosmos is the North face of Rainier- here we see the Milky Way rising over the night climbers making their ascent.

Jupiter and the Milky Way rise over Mt Baker, Washington.

Brave mountain climbers making their way past Little Tahoma Peak, around 1am as the Lagoon Nebula rises

A winter night spent in a lookout tower watching the Aurora over Mt Larabee and Canada, but from a mountain in Washington!