Beauty and majesty

So, my introduction to the state of Washington occurred a few weeks ago when I went on a five-day backpacking trip in the North Cascades with a group of friends. Overall, it was a great experience. Though the first couple days included such unpleasantnesses as hiking UP this . . .. . . in a pair of glorified sneakers and a poncho, the trip also gave me my first opportunity to wake up in the morning, roll out a tent, and see a view like this . . . . . . so I guess it was worth it. Also, this was one of the uglier plants we passed on the side of the trail:It's an incredible world God has given us.

P.S. The first two pictures are of Spider Gap and Glacier Peak (as seen from Image Lake), respectively.