Faith | What he saw on Mt. Rainier had him stopped in his tracks
Scenic Washington state has a lot to offer.
One of our favorite day trip excursions has been Mount Rainier. Whether it’s showing it off to visiting family members or friends, or just taking the day to explore, it’s truly a beautiful sight on a clear day.
Several years ago, we visited the northeastern side called Sunrise. We planned to hike up to get a better view of Emmons Glacier which has the largest surface area of any glacier in the contiguous 48 states. My wife was very intrigued with the flowers and plant life along the way.
We’d been there before and I got bored with the slow pace. We agreed that I would hike ahead on the trail for a couple of miles then turn back to meet up with her. After about a mile, I noticed a large bear roaming slowly behind me crossing a meadow that I had just hiked through. It was only about 100 feet away!
On first impulse, I wanted to get closer for a better picture. I even took a half step towards the bear, but thankfully, mid-step I froze thinking to myself, “You idiot! What if the bear wants to attack?”
I immediately assessed my surroundings and concluded that it would be hopeless to run, so I froze. Another couple, a little further away, stopped and froze as well. We all watched for the next five minutes as the bear slowly meandered across the path and into the woods out of sight.
The whole time I prayed that my wife wouldn’t come around the corner of the path to the meadow and startle the bear.
As soon as I thought it was safe, I quickly headed back down the path to find my wife. She was about a hundred yards further down and as soon as I got there, I said, “We’re going back to the lodge—now!”
I explained why on the way down and showed her the picture I had taken. I have always regretted not taking more pictures that day, but after I took that one photo, I’m glad that I was more concerned for my wife and her safety.
We also greatly enjoy the Paradise side and the gondola ride, which goes up to the top of Crystal Mountain giving a restful, relaxing, beautiful view of Mount Rainier—safe from the bears. We also very much enjoy all the rivers and waterfalls coming off the mountain.
The Grove of the Patriarchs is awesome. It lies just inside the park and is about a mile or so, making it an easy round trip walking experience. Some of the trees are said to be a thousand years old, with one being about 50 feet in diameter.
Everything about the mountain reminds me of God’s awesome creation. The scenery, animal life, plant life, snowy glaciers and vibrantly clean water rushing down the mountainside. Its massive size and potential power that it has, if it ever decides to be an active volcano again, is awe-inspiring.
Just looking at the mountain reminds me just how small I am in the beautiful universe that God created. And yet, because of his unlimited power and love, he chooses to treat every one of us like we’re the most important person in the world.
Since none of us are perfect or without sin, God the Son came into this world to live a perfect and sinless life in order to sacrifice himself on the cross on our behalf, so that if we trust in him as our Savior and Lord, we can live in His heavenly kingdom forever.
I can’t wait to see what the scenery looks like there.
This story was originally published May 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.