Summertime Pacific North West Style By Liz Arnquist

Summer has finally made it to the Pacific North West (PNW)!

It is true: it always rains in the PNW. Except when it doesn't. For about two months it has some of the best weather in the world (75 and sunny, every day). Living in the PNW you learn to appreciate (well, tolerate) the rain, but when those sunny days finally come around you better believe we are all outside.

We got an early start and headed out to Mount Rainier National Park. Each year my friend hikes the Skyline Trail and this year I was happy to join. Skyline is a short hike with incredible views of Mount Rainier. As you wind up the trail that is dotted with wildflowers you get closer and closer to the glacier and it is a truly humbling experience. Upon reaching the ridgeline, the southward view includes Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. Anytime you can see multiple volcanoes is a good day!

We finished Skyline and had some time to check out another hike before we met our other friends for lunch. We decided to check out the quick hike out to Faraway Rock. For such a short hike, Faraway Rock has incredible views.

After making your way through the forest the trail quickly opens up to an outcropping above Lake Louise. There is nothing like mountain views and alpine lakes on a sunny day. It may rain for almost 10 months of the year but the sunny days really make it worth it!