Comet Falls is one of the most impressive falls in Mount Rainier National Park, so it was definitely on my list of places to get to on my trip to the park. The most intimidating part of getting to it was the hike to get there.

The 1.7-mile distance was nothing, it was the 1,400-foot elevation gain involved that I knew was going to kill me! It had been a while since I had really been out hiking and I knew I was a bit out of shape. I emptied my bag of anything but the necessities to lighten the load and set out in a light rain. It was just the right conditions for waterfall photography.

After stopping to shoot a few times along the way (and many more to catch my breath!), I came to this view looking down the valley to Comet Falls. What a beautiful scene. The sun peeked out occasionally, but stayed behind the clouds long enough to capture a series of images, this one being my favorite because of the shape and the detail in the falls. I ventured closer to the falls after that, but it was difficult to scramble too far because of the rain soaked vegetation.

Click on the image to view it larger in the galleries. Fine art prints are available.