Some images are just plain extraordinary — and often, the photographer has invested a great deal of time and effort to make that image happen. Photographer Dave Morrow describes the process of making this image from Mount Rainier National Park in early October 2012:

“I went up to Sunrise Point at Mt. Rainier last weekend with my buddy Keith. After a lame sunset, we waited for the Milky Way to come out. The placement was just perfect & the sky was pitch black! Time to jack up the ISO and shoot some stars… This was one of many from the night:)”

Visit Rainier on a beautiful day, and you’ll get a great photograph. Stick around for the sunset, and you’ll often get an exceptional photograph. Wait till the chill of October sets in on a clear night, and stand around fiddling with your camera for a few hours in the dark… and the results just might be extraordinary.

Photo by Dave Morrow - www.DaveMorrowPhotography.com

Soaring 14,410 feet into the sky, Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. It dominates the landscape, inspires our imagination, and challenges our senses. This active ice covered volcano is a symbol of the dramatic forces that shape our world. From its old growth forests and subalpine meadows to its glacier-clad peak, Mount Rainier offers many opportunities to explore its natural beauty.

Mount Rainier is also rich in cultural history. For thousands of years, tribal groups have gathered here. Designated a national park in 1899, many areas contribute to its National Historic Landmark District status.

Photo: William Lee - National Park Service