Growing up on Whidbey Island, we naturally stuck to the North Cascades for our weekend family hikes. It’s hard not to when you have close proximity to one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in your backyard. Now living in Seattle, it’s hard not to be drawn south to the 14.4k monster. For locals and tourists alike, Rainier unsurprisingly causes frequent gasps and jaw-dropping looks of bewilderment from most anyone who crosses her path. She even had her own Twitter handle at one point to alert all of her daily show…or no show.

A couple recent treks up around Sunrise and to Paradise were slap-in-the-face reminders of how lucky we are to be able to drive, hike, camp and bike around this beast. And, to simply stare and be in her presence each day.