Mount Rainier National Park / USA (by Raymond Stiehl).
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How do you winter?
You might be thinking, “hey, it’s March and winter is over!”
That’s not quite true in the Cascade Mountains. As you go higher in elevation, it gets colder and more snow has piled up over the winter. At Paradise, we can get snow storms into June.
So while the temperatures are warming up, a little more sunshine, and days a bit longer, winter keeps a tight grip on the subalpine meadows like Paradise and Sunrise. The plants and animals are well adapted to the challenges of these winters.
For animals, there is a choice. Do you travel to warmer climates, stay and snow camp, or snooze through the cold temps? Rufous hummingbirds are our champions or long-distance travel, migrating to the south and even Mexico in search of warm temperatures and food. Pikas are big winners at snow camping. They store food in the homes under the rocks all summer so that they can stay active all winter eating their stores. Last but not least, black bears are great hibernators. While not technically sleep, the bears lower metabolism, heart rate and respiration to make their fat stores last until snow melts and food emerges.
So, how do you winter?
NPS Photo. Rufous hummingbird circa 1975. NPS/I Metzen Photo. Pika perched on rock in talus field near Lake Louise. 2018. NPS/Spillane Photo. Black Bear, which come in several colors, among plants and shrubs. 2016.
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“ Frolicking in Flowers “ // John Weatherby
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Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, United States: Mount Rainier National Park is an American national park located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state. The mountain rises abruptly from the surrounding land with elevations in the park ranging from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet. The highest point in the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier is surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and 91,000 acres of old-growth forest. More than 25 glaciers descend the flanks of the volcano, which is often shrouded in clouds that dump enormous amounts of rain and snow. Wikipedia
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