Mt. Rainier -- A Place of Joy, Reverence, & Humility - 2025

Naturalist Course

Mt. Rainier -- A Place of Joy, Reverence, & Humility

LECTURES & 1 FIELD TRIP: Come learn about Mt. Rainier, its natural history, geology, and the social values it provides us. Tahoma, the highest peak in Washington, is surrounded by an incredible landscape filled with geological and ecological wonders. But maybe, from our perspective, Tahoma is the place that brings us joy, a sense of awe, and solace like no other.

Mount Rainier looms over the Pacific Northwest like a queen. She says to us, “Come sit with me awhile.” And we do.

This course will have two online lectures at 7:00 PM and a pick of one field trip per participant from six offerings. All field trips will open for registration simultaneously, giving all participants an equal shot at their preferred one.

Do you hike its trails and wonder about the place? When did that rock form, what is the name of that plant or tree, or maybe why things are different here than on last week’s trail? Sourdough Ridge is young; those rocks solidified shortly after this volcano was born. Rampart Ridge is even younger, but then the old man, Goat Island Mountain, saw all of these come about. What else might be lurking beside each footstep?

Oh, those flowers, the fragrances in July and August, are something to the mind. What about the trees, big ones in the valleys, but those on the higher ridges, so much to absorb? Birds, insects, and mammals all bring a flutter to the heart. Relationships are so vital to us and equally valid in the Cascades. Landscapes to trees, trees to birds, flowers to pollinators, predators, all about relationships, time, and so much more. Do some of these interactions send delight and amazement through your arteries?

Why do we return to our homes feeling like a new person after a day on these trails?

This version of the course includes two lectures and one field trip per person.

GOALS: Join us in this class and on the trail. Our goal is to

  • Feed your love, respect, and reverence for the wild
    • Outcome: Articulate your feelings about the park and how it influences you. Because the place is special, different groups have their name for the mountain: Tahoma, Takhoma, Rainier, and Ta-co-bet. We will discuss its character and how it affects us.
    • Outcome: Understand and feel your sense of “awe” as you experience or think about this section of the Cascades.
  • We will explore geology, plants, animals, and time to enhance our understanding of what we see and cultivate our enjoyment of these wildlands.
    • Outcome: Know and use apps, tree guides, flower guides, and others
    • Outcome: Be familiar with the geologic history of the park
    • Outcome: Know where to go to see some of what we discuss.
  • Build your sense of this planet and our time on it. Let the place make you humble like maybe never before.
    • Outcome: Have a general understanding of the formation of Washington, the processes that formed Mt. Rainier, and some of the events as seen in its landscape. Be able to talk about the park’s geology, timeline, climate, and change.
  • Cultivate your commitment to Mountaineers’ values of “leave no trace” and “do no harm.”

FIELD TRIPS

The park service will likely run the "Timed Entry" program again in 2025. Most of the listed field trips require a "Time-Entry" permit per vehicle to get through Sunrise Entrance. Last year, the July permits were available on 1 April, and the August permits on 1 May. Last year, it cost $2 per permit. Each car will need one, and multiple people can enter in the vehicle with the permit. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE A PERMIT OR MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO RIDE WITH SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS A PERMIT.  The trip leaders will already be at Mt. Rainier and unavailable to help with transportation. We will keep track of what the Park Service decides and keep everyone informed as best we can.

 

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
Mount Rainier: Lecture 1
Online Classroom
Wed, Feb 19, 2025
Registration closes Feb 17
20 participants
1 instructor
Mount Rainier - Lecture 2
Online Classroom
Wed, Mar 5, 2025
Registration closes Feb 17
20 participants
1 instructor
Field Trip Mt Rainer
Berkeley Park
Wed, Jul 23, 2025
Registration opens Mar 6; Instructor registration open now
8 participants
0 instructors
Emmons Moraine Trail
Thu, Jul 24, 2025
Registration opens Mar 6; Instructor registration open now
8 participants
0 instructors
Naches Peak Loop
Sun, Jul 27, 2025
Registration opens Mar 6; Instructor registration open now
8 participants
0 instructors
Eastside Trail
Wed, Aug 13, 2025
Registration opens Mar 6; Instructor registration open now
8 participants
0 instructors
First & Second Burroughs Mountain
Thu, Aug 14, 2025
Registration opens Mar 6; Instructor registration open now
8 participants
0 instructors
Sunrise
Sat, Aug 16, 2025
Registration opens Mar 6; Instructor registration open now
8 participants
1 instructor
Roster
Required Equipment

Computer with speaker and microphone, as well as connection to high-speed internet.

Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.