East Side of Heaven ?

Nope, this is the east side of Mount Rainier. After seeing others post their awesomely CLASSIC mountain photos, I decided I should add one of my own. Actually, this photo comes from a book published by the PAC NW Parks and Forests Association. The whiteness of Rainier's summit is one of its most alluring attributes. About 75,000 years ago the Mount Rainier volcano had reached its present size, but was burdened with huge masses of ice that entirely covered its flanks and reached down into valleys to the lowlands in great white tongues. (At the same time, a vast ice sheet blanketed much of western British Columbia.) There are 25 major glaciers on Mt. Rainier, and these glaciers owe their existence to regional climatic changes in years gone by, and years to come. On Rainier's distinctive east side, glacial moraines indicate that at White River Campground the ice was almost 3,000 feet thick !! Emmons Glacier is the only glacier seen well by autobound observers and climbers alike. View the glacier with ease from Emmons Vista, a short 0.2-mile walk from Yakima Park. (On Dec 14, 1963, a mighty rockfall occurred from nearby Tahoma Peak, sending about 4 billion cubic ft. of broken rock onto the Emmons Glacier.) Many trails that begin at Yakima Park (Sunrise) allow excellent views of the mountain's north-east facing glaciation. For instance, try a trip to Emmons Overlook (1.5 miles) or to the top of Third Burroughs Mountain, which is an ancient lava flow that filled the White River Valley. Just throw the kids in the car, and have a peek. You'll be so glad you did!