2023 Season Updates
The 2023 MeadoWatch season is coming to a close!
Season End Dates: Both the Reflection Lakes and Glacier Basin trails will be closing October 2nd, 2023
Campsite Close Dates: The last day to camp at White River (Glacier Basin) is September 25th and the last day to camp at Longmire (Reflection Lakes) is October 10th
Note: It is also important to note that Stevens Canyon Road which is often used to get between the Reflection Lakes trail and the Glacier Basin trail is closed Mon-Fri and is open Sat-Sun (and holidays) with 30 minute delays due to road work. Alternatively, you can take Skate Creek Rd/Forest Rd 52, which connects Ashford and Packwood. It is paved, but has some small potholes/areas of rough road.
Be sure join our listserv for season updates!
Season End Dates: Both the Reflection Lakes and Glacier Basin trails will be closing October 2nd, 2023
Campsite Close Dates: The last day to camp at White River (Glacier Basin) is September 25th and the last day to camp at Longmire (Reflection Lakes) is October 10th
Note: It is also important to note that Stevens Canyon Road which is often used to get between the Reflection Lakes trail and the Glacier Basin trail is closed Mon-Fri and is open Sat-Sun (and holidays) with 30 minute delays due to road work. Alternatively, you can take Skate Creek Rd/Forest Rd 52, which connects Ashford and Packwood. It is paved, but has some small potholes/areas of rough road.
Be sure join our listserv for season updates!

At MeadoWatch, our mission is to engage Mt. Rainier National Park visitors in scientific research to understand how climate change will influence the timing of flowering and seed production in the iconic high mountain meadows pictured above.
MeadoWatch uses a Community Science approach, and volunteers are essential to the success of our program. Every summer, participants hit the trails of Mt. Rainier to record wildflower phenology (the timing of flowering, fruiting and seed production) of some of the most beautiful alpine wildflowers in the world. We use this information to understand which climatic factors trigger flowering and seed production, and how climate change may alter the the timing of seed production. Ultimately, this information can be used to aid resource managers at Mt. Rainier National Park in making conservation and management decisions.
If you are interested in becoming part of MeadoWatch, visit our Get Involved and Volunteer Resources pages for details on opportunities. If you have questions, please drop us a line (mwatch@uw.edu).
MeadoWatch is Community Science project run out of the Hille Ris Lambers Lab and the Brosi Lab at the Department of Biology at the University of Washington and we work collaboratively with Mt. Rainier National Park.
We look forward to seeing you on the trail!
~Your MeadoWatch Team
MeadoWatch uses a Community Science approach, and volunteers are essential to the success of our program. Every summer, participants hit the trails of Mt. Rainier to record wildflower phenology (the timing of flowering, fruiting and seed production) of some of the most beautiful alpine wildflowers in the world. We use this information to understand which climatic factors trigger flowering and seed production, and how climate change may alter the the timing of seed production. Ultimately, this information can be used to aid resource managers at Mt. Rainier National Park in making conservation and management decisions.
If you are interested in becoming part of MeadoWatch, visit our Get Involved and Volunteer Resources pages for details on opportunities. If you have questions, please drop us a line (mwatch@uw.edu).
MeadoWatch is Community Science project run out of the Hille Ris Lambers Lab and the Brosi Lab at the Department of Biology at the University of Washington and we work collaboratively with Mt. Rainier National Park.
We look forward to seeing you on the trail!
~Your MeadoWatch Team