Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, rising from dense lowland forests to windswept alpine tundra at its summit. At lower elevations near areas like Carbon River, Longmire, and Ohanapecosh, visitors experience lush temperate rainforests filled with towering oldgrowth trees, moss-covered trunks, and fern-lined river corridors. These moist environments support species such as black bears, elk, amphibians, and countless bird species. As elevation increases, the landscape opens into subalpine meadows, most famously at Paradise and Sunrise, where summer brings vibrant displays of wildflowers adapted to short growing seasons. These meadows are among the most photographed areas in the park and are especially sensitive to foot traffic. Above the meadows, the environment transitions into alpine terrain, where glaciers, volcanic rock, and permanent snowfields dominate the landscape.