The Pacific Northwest region of the US is slowly marching through spring and easing into the summer. The days are starting to get longer and warmer. Flowers are starting to bloom everywhere, adding a dash of color to the already lush green landscape. In a span of about 6 weeks, summer would officially begin out here, and would last for 3 months.

However, in the mountains, the duration of each season and the transition between each is much shorter. Above 6000ft, winter conditions last for more than half a year, and the other seasons of spring, summer and autumn cycle through in rapid succession in the remaining 5 months. It is this condensed cycle that makes the summer in the Pacific Northwest ever so precious - because there are just ever so few days to get out and enjoy the best of what the mountains have to offer.

Here are a few reminders of the dramatic mountain landscape that one can witness in its summer that barely lasts 8 weeks.

Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA