Natural History Wanderings

Mt. Rainier National Park reports

Currently Blooming

Last Updated: May 10, 2019

One day, just a mossy forest floor; the next, orchids! Calypso orchids (also known as “fairy slippers”) are tiny but colorful wildflowers found in the low elevation forests of the park. They bloom for just a few weeks in spring.

Please Note: As snow melts away, it may be tempting to skirt remaining patches of snow that are covering trails. However, by going off trail you are walking on and damaging the wildflowers that you may be coming to see! It is better to stay on trail even if that means crossing snow, particularly in the high-visitation meadows around Paradise and Sunrise.

Wildflower Reports

• Nisqually Entrance to Longmire (5/9) -skunk cabbage, coltsfoot, trillium
• Longmire (5/9) – skunk cabbage, coltsfoot, trillium, Calypso orchid, yellow violets, wild strawberry