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Mount Rainier Milky Way Adventure

$895.00

Mount Rainier Adventure — 2 Nights (Sunrise & Subalpine Lakes)
Two alpine evenings at the roof of the Cascades: we’ll work the sculpted ridgelines and wildflower basins around Sunrise as golden light fades, then settle at a mirror-still subalpine lake (e.g., the Tipsoo Lake area at Chinook Pass) for blue-hour foreground plates and, weather permitting, the Milky Way lifting over Rainier’s icy crown. Expect crisp mountain air, lingering snow patches early season, and night skies that feel close enough to touch—perfect for reflections, clean stackable skies, and a natural blue-hour-plus-astro blend.

Mount Rainier Adventure — 2 Nights (Sunrise & Subalpine Lakes)
Two alpine evenings at the roof of the Cascades: we’ll work the sculpted ridgelines and wildflower basins around Sunrise as golden light fades, then settle at a mirror-still subalpine lake (e.g., the Tipsoo Lake area at Chinook Pass) for blue-hour foreground plates and, weather permitting, the Milky Way lifting over Rainier’s icy crown. Expect crisp mountain air, lingering snow patches early season, and night skies that feel close enough to touch—perfect for reflections, clean stackable skies, and a natural blue-hour-plus-astro blend.

Terrain & Walking

  • Maintained trails with packed dirt, rock steps, and occasional snow patches (early/mid summer).

  • Expect 1–3 miles total per night with 200–600 ft elevation gain at ~6,000–6,500 ft.

  • Lakeshores can be muddy/fragile—we stay on established paths and durable surfaces.

Clothing & Personal Prep

  • Layer up: breathable base, mid-layer fleece/puffy, windproof/water-resistant shell; temps drop sharply after sunset.

  • Hiking boots with good tread; microspikes may be recommended if snow lingers.

  • Warm hat, light gloves, extra socks; bug repellent (mosquitoes can be active at dusk).

  • Headlamp with red mode; 1–2L water and snacks.

Photo Gear Notes

  • Tripod (stable on rock/boardwalk edges; avoid meadow soils).

  • Lenses: ultra-wide to wide (14–24, 24–70) for sky + foreground; 70–200 optional for tele layers and alpenglow details.

  • No Pro Mist/CPL at night; CPL useful at twilight for glare control on lake reflections.

  • Lens heater for dew, several microfiber cloths.

  • Optional: small RGB/panel light for brief, low-level blue-hour accents (never toward wildlife/other visitors).

Conditions to Expect

  • Alpine chill and wind after sunset; sudden weather shifts are common.

  • Lingering snow on shaded slopes early season; wildflowers mid/late summer.

  • Reflections can be pristine at lakes if wind is calm; be ready to pivot if ripples pick up.

Safety & Etiquette

  • Stay on trail/boardwalks—fragile subalpine meadows recover slowly; no off-trail trampling for compositions.

  • Wildlife (deer, elk, fox, occasional black bear): give space; no lights toward animals.

  • Pack out everything; keep noise and light low to preserve the alpine night.

Physical Requirements

  • Comfortable carrying a 10–20 lb kit at altitude and walking 1–3 miles with moderate gain on uneven terrain.

  • Short pauses for acclimatization are normal at Sunrise elevations.

Meeting, Parking & Facilities

  • Primary meet at Sunrise area parking (seasonal hours) or Tipsoo Lake lots (details/GPX provided after booking).

  • Restrooms at Sunrise and Tipsoo (seasonal); none on trail.

  • Park pass required—bring your pass/payment method.

Weather & Contingency

  • If clouds sock in the peak or winds ripple the lake, we pivot to blue-hour alpine landscapes, long-exposure clouds, and tele abstracts, then watch for star breaks.

  • If conditions turn unsafe (thunder, high winds, closures), we adjust timing/site or reschedule per policy.

Cancellations (Summary)

  • Non-refundable retainer holds your seat; balance due 30 days prior.

  • Seat transfer allowed; refunds/credits depend on whether we can fill your spot (see full policy at checkout).

  • Instructor-initiated weather/closure changes → reschedule or credit/refund at our discretion, with safety first.