Discover Nature, LLC

08/04/2024

False Hellebore, Veratrum viride, is a plant I find many folks find intriguing. The distinct pleated leaves, height and flowers offer much beauty in the subalpine environments. It has many names …. Indian poke plants, corn lily, American false hellebore ……

The roots are poisonous and the leaves are toxic. After a freeze, the plant becomes more edible for wildlife and humans. The indigenous people harvested the plant after a freeze and used it in small quantities for pain relief and as a topical to treat bruises, sprains and fractures.

06/27/2024

It’s time for the avalanche lily show! As the snow pack lessens, avalanche lilies create a chemical reaction to help melt the snow allowing their emergence. Blankets of these beautiful lilies are beginning and provide a food source to many. We’ve been seeing lots of black-tailed deer eating them on our hikes lately.

06/21/2024

Some of my wildflower friends are back along the roadways in What wildflowers are you enjoying?

First photo is Jeffery’s Shooting Star 💜
Second photo is broadleaf lupine 💙

06/10/2024

Happy This lovely view of Mt. Tahoma/Rainier is along the Emmons Moraine Trail on the east side of the Park. An easy and very rewarding hike.

04/18/2024

Sharing some wildflower love from the lowlands of the Salish Sea.

Photo 1 ~ chocolate lily or checker lily and your happy, hiker guide

Photo 2 ~ blue camas ✨ the bulbs are harvested by the local indigenous communities

02/25/2024

I’ve been thinking about trees a lot lately. The abundance of many species upon this precious earth, and how they give so much to life. How they stand so patient. How they communicate with each other including different species. How they give life as structure for many species, food, shade, and how they nuture us. I’ve witnessed this nurturing often with my guests, family, friends, and during my travels. In fact, some trips were made because of the trees in the area. What emotions do trees bring up for you? 

02/20/2024

Are you uncertain about ‘s upcoming timed entry program for the 2024 season? You can visit their Instagram feed for explanations.

Tomorrow is the first day to make reservations for visits from May 24 - June 30th. Reservations are needed if you are entering the Park from 7am - 3pm. This is for the Paradise Corridor only. Sunrise will open for reservations on April 1st. Entry tickets are purchased on Recreation.gov

If you have a guided day hike with me, you do not need an entry ticket. I have you covered 🤩🥾💚

If you have a wilderness camping permit, you are covered as well. 💚🏕️

If you are staying at the National Park Inn or Paradise Inn, you can enter anytime after 1pm without a timed entry ticket 💚🏩🌲

01/30/2024

I know ravens are clever and this beautiful mural confirms it even more!! The city of Tacoma has many lovely murals. Where is your favorite?

This was painted by Natalie Oswald and Joel Barber as part of the Tacoma Mural Project in 2013

12/14/2023

Waterfall Wednesday with a touch of winter at Myrtle Falls 🩵💙 The second photo is the same location last August with my guests from The Netherlands 🧡🧡

11/22/2023

A perfect gift for those that love experiences!

11/22/2023

Hypothermia and frostbite are subjects with which most winter outdoor enthusiasts will be familiar, so the question arises: How do birds survive? Why don't their feet freeze? The first part of the answer is relatively simple. A bird's body temperature is significantly higher (106 degrees) than that of a human. The second and most notable factor is that they are possessed of a "countercurrent" circulatory system in which the veins carrying cooled blood are intertwined with the arteries transporting warm blood from the body's interior. As much as 85 percent of the warmth from the outgoing blood transfers to that returning before it re-enters the body. This system of intertwined veins and arteries exists in both the legs and in the wings. Humans don't have this evolutionary advantage, so we need wear appropriate clothing to protects our extremities. ~cv (photo/C. Vecchio)

11/22/2023

Thanks for sharing this Mount Rainier National Park instead of dressing in layers, their blood vessels provide the warm layers!

Hypothermia and frostbite are subjects with which most winter outdoor enthusiasts will be familiar, so the question arises: How do birds survive? Why don't their feet freeze? The first part of the answer is relatively simple. A bird's body temperature is significantly higher (106 degrees) than that of a human. The second and most notable factor is that they are possessed of a "countercurrent" circulatory system in which the veins carrying cooled blood are intertwined with the arteries transporting warm blood from the body's interior. As much as 85 percent of the warmth from the outgoing blood transfers to that returning before it re-enters the body. This system of intertwined veins and arteries exists in both the legs and in the wings. Humans don't have this evolutionary advantage, so we need wear appropriate clothing to protects our extremities. ~cv (photo/C. Vecchio)

11/09/2023

Note the update to the Park's winter schedule for access to Paradise

News Release: Mount Rainier National Park announced updates today to the winter 2023-24 recreation access schedule. Beginning Nov. 15, the park will expand winter public vehicle access to the Paradise area to five days per week on a Thursday through Monday schedule.

The park has increased and reorganized staff and resources to provide more public access to Paradise compared to last year, when it was only able to keep the road open two days each week. However, ongoing staffing challenges mean the road will be closed to public access Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The Longmire area will remain open seven days a week barring any major storm events or emergency situations. Park staff will continue to revisit the Paradise access schedule should staffing levels change during the winter season.

The annual shift to nightly closures of the gate to Paradise at Longmire begins this evening.

Full news release https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/mount-rainier-national-park-expands-winter-recreational-access-for-the-2023-2024-season.htm

NPS arrowhead graphic ~pw

11/04/2023

Are you feeling the vibes of winter setting in? Planning your next National Park visit? Add more awe and wonder to your visit by hiring a local guide. You can find a list of authorized commercial operators on each National Park’s website. Need help planning your Mt. Rainier visit? DM me or click the link in my profile 🥾💚🌲

10/27/2023

A peaceful scene at Reflection Lakes. A transition to winter is taking place at Note that many roads are closed now and tire chains will be required to enter the Park beginning Wednesday, November 1st. The road to Paradise is closing nightly now. Check the Park’s website to find out if the road will be opened and have a wonderful, safe visit.

10/11/2023

10/11/2023

Same scene, different filter. Which one is your fav??

09/03/2023

Jennifer had an awesome day hiking her first trail on The Mountain yesterday. She and her husband moved here from Texas and she is so stoked to hike more in her new backyard 🥾💚💚💚

08/21/2023

A field of pasqueflower seed heads 💚 and Mt. Tahoma feeling proud

08/05/2023

08/02/2023

07/20/2023

Mt. Rainier’s wildflower show is ramping up 🩷❤️💚🩵💛. Where is your favorite place to enjoy wildflowers in the Park?
1 - Lewis Monkey Flower
2 - Lewis Monkey Flower and Cow Parsnip
3 - Magenta Paintbrush, Pink Mountain Heather and White Mountain Heather
4 - False Hellebore and Magenta Paintbrush
5 - Elephant Head Pedicularis 🩷one of my favs 🩷

07/15/2023

My guests from Alabama were delighted to show off ‘s beautiful felt flag. It made them feel like a local and they loved my sharing of David’s story of how started and all that he has accomplished. DYK that he gives back to our Parks with every purchase?

07/12/2023

Wildflowers of Mt. Tahoma. Every year I love welcoming the wildflowers back. To me, I’m welcoming dear friends back. Stay tuned for more pics of friends 🫶🏼

06/23/2023

This hike to Eagle Peak Saddle is a great 3.6 mile climb to stellar views. It was fun to share it with some of my Mountaineer friends today. We had views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt Hood, Mt Adams and Mt. Rainier.

I offer this as a private guided hike. Link in bio 💜🥾💜 7.8 round trip with just under 3000’ feet of gain

06/03/2023

always happy to share some trail love 💖🥾💖🥾

05/26/2023

The Ohanapecosh River on Mt. Rainier’s east side is a stunning river and easily enjoyed via the Eastside Trial. This trail is one of my favorite lower elevation hikes as we wait for the high elevation areas to melt out.

05/25/2023

Yeah for changing road status!! Both Hwy 123 and Hwy 410 will open this Friday!!! That's tomorrow!! Woot woot! It will be fun to see how much snow is around some of my favorite areas. And most definitely many, many thanks to WSDOT for all the work they did to make this happen. Mother Nature helped a bit too with warmer temps ...

It's been one of your most-asked questions the past several weeks, and here's the answer: SR 410 Chinook Pass and SR 123 Cayuse Pass will open for the season at 8 a.m. Friday, just in time for Memorial Day weekend! Here's a look at the west side and east side crews meeting at the arch. Big thanks to our crews for all their work on getting the two highways cleared!

05/16/2023

Did some scouting on Mother’s Day at Still lots and lots of snow at Paradise. Snow free trails around Longmire, new leaves catching sun rays, a sweet black-tailed deer and stellar blue sky.

Click the link in my bio to book your day hike this month or later in the season. I have several options if you want snow or no snow 😍🥾💖

05/12/2023

We are back home and still in awe and wonder. We had the most amazing opportunity to travel 8 days and 7 nights rafting 188 miles through 67 rapids down the mighty Colorado River. A long time bucket list and day one was topped off with my first sighting of California Condors in the wild seen on the Navajo Bridge in the first pic.

What a treat it was to experience other guides following their passion and making a difference in people’s lives. Thank you Rich, Jenny, Travis and Tater (Nate) 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰. Keep living the dream and have an awesome, safe season!! I’m truly ready for mine!!! Thank you and for making this dream a reality 🥰🥰🥰🥰