Emberlight on the Meadow – A Morning to Remember at Rainier

Anticipation on the Road to Paradise

Some mornings just feel different.

As I drove up toward Paradise, the sky had already begun to blush with color — a surefire sign that something special was about to unfold. That quiet thrill began to stir in my chest, the kind of feeling that makes you speed up ever so slightly, double-check your gear in the passenger seat, and steal glances at the clouds glowing above the treeline.

I knew this morning had potential.

The Rush for Composition

By the time I pulled into the lot, the clouds above Rainier were already starting to bloom with color. I scrambled out of the car, breath pluming in the cold morning air, fumbling to find the composition I had carefully scouted the day before.

There’s always a moment of frantic energy when you know the light is about to peak — and you’re not quite set up. Tripod legs clatter open. Gloves half on. Lens cap somewhere in the grass. And then…

The Emberlight Moment

Mount Rainier stood bold and radiant, its shoulders wrapped in drifting clouds painted in hues of lavender and flame. In front of me, the scrub oak burned gold, echoing the sky above. I paused for a breath — the light, the tones, the stillness — it all aligned.

Rainier is never a guarantee. The mountain creates its own weather, and many trips end in whiteouts or disappointment. But that morning? That morning was perfect.

This frame, Emberlight on the Meadow, is one of those images that feels like a reward not just for being there — but for loving the process.

Location & Gear

**📍 Location:** Paradise, Mount Rainier

**🧭 Trail & Access:** Skyline Trail

**🎒 Gear Used:**

- Canon R5

- 15–35mm f/2.8

- Really Right Stuff tripod