Sunrise Visitor Center
At 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest drive-to point in Mount Rainier National Park, placing you eye-level with Emmons Glacier and giving you an unobstructed, massive view of Rainier's northeast face. The classic composition here is from the open meadows just below the visitor center, where you can frame the mountain above rolling subalpine terrain, often with wildflowers in the foreground during July and August. A wide-angle lens works well for the full mountain and meadow scene, while a telephoto lets you compress the glacier details dramatically. Arrive before dawn to catch alpenglow hitting the summit in deep pink and orange tones, which can be spectacular on clear mornings. The road typically opens in late June and closes by October, so check conditions before you go. Shadows fill the foreground quickly once the sun rises high, so early light is worth the drive. (Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, United States)
