Chehalis resident Brian Zylstra captured these images during a weekend trip to Stafford Falls. These photographs were taken from near the Eastside Trail in Mount Rainier National Park on Sunday, Aug. 21.
The Eastside Trail stretches more than 26 miles and can be accessed at five different points in the park, including the Ohanapecosh area.
“The upper section of the trail showcases a prime example of the park’s delicate subalpine ecosystem as it winds through the meadows and patchy forest surrounding Tipsoo Lake,” according to the park’s description of the trail. “The remainder of the trail follows the courses of Chinook Creek and the Ohanapecosh River. Outstanding examples of old-growth forest are seen in all life zones along the trail — subalpine, mid- mountain, and lowland forest. Take the spur trail into the Grove of the Patriarchs to view a cathedral of ancient trees, some over 1,000 years old. Enjoy the refreshing sights and sounds of numerous waterfalls cascading down the canyons. Late-season hikers might hear elk bugling in the forest amidst colorful fall foliage.”
Learn more about the trail at https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/eastside-trail.htm.
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