A mountain creek winds down through a rocky alpine valley surrounded by towering evergreens on the southern flank of Mount Rainier National Park. In the distance, two jagged spires, Pinnacle Peak and The Castle, rise dramatically above the dark green forest canopy, part of the rugged Tatoosh Range that cuts across the skyline. The stream glitters as it flows over smooth granite boulders, catching dappled light that filters through the tall firs. The slopes are carpeted with late-summer foliage beginning to shift toward autumn, with bursts of yellow and amber contrasting against deep forest greens. Above, the sky glows a vivid blue, scattered with soft cumulus clouds drifting past the peaks. The overall scene conveys the wild serenity of the Pacific Northwest alpine environment.