a sea of clouds with gorgeous sunrise colors

Magical Photos from an Overnighter Near Mt. Rainier

Author: Alec Sills-Trausch
Updated on

Summer in Washington is one of the most stunning places you can be in America. There’s incredible hiking, great whale watching, wildflowers are blooming, and the days last longer than almost any spots outside of Alaska.

It’s truly amazing. Today, we’re showing off photos from one of my favorite backpacking trips of the year to Summit Lake near Mt. Rainier.

Sunrise Over Summit Lake

A magical color of pink, yellow, and orange envelopes in the sky with clouds and trees at the bottom of the photo.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Summit Lake with Rainier in the background – just before sunrise

An early morning photo of summit lake with Mt. Rainier in the back. There's no colors yet, but some clouds, creating a reflection in the lake below.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

The Early Morning Glow

A background of a sea of clouds in the early morning light with dark trees in the foreground.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Purple Mountains Majesty

Mt. Rainier towering above the trees and small ridgelines. Rainier has a light pink glow on it from the rising sun.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Misty Mountains

Layers of mountains and trees with clouds hanging in the bottom of the photo.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Moody Conditions the Evening Before

Multiple layers of trees with fog, hiking some of the trees in the background.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Panorama of the entire morning view

A lake below with sunset colors in the sky and Mt. Rainier on the right hand side. There's a slight reflection in the water of trees surrounding Summit Lake.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch
A reflection photo of larches and mountains, in Copper Glance Lake. This Washington lake is near winthrop.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

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My Top Hikes in Washington: Lake Ingalls, Wing Lake, The Enchantments, Chain Lakes Loop, Yellow Aster Butte, Park Butte Lookout, Maple Pass