WALL STREET JOURNAL VIEWFINDERS x MERCEDES

THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEELS LIKE A DREAM MOST DAYS. FROM THE SNOW COVERING ITS MOUNTAINS TO THE ABUNDANCE OF EVERGREENS BLANKETING THE FORESTS, TO THE FOG THAT WEAVES IN AND OUT OF THE TREES-- THIS PLACE IS A NATURAL PLAYGROUND-- AND THAT'S NOT EVEN MENTIONING THE RAINFORESTS, WARM DESERT OR SPRAWLING COASTLINE.

Growing up in Washington, I’ve been embraced by these natural surroundings and have spent much of my time roaming these lands. The past year, I moved to downtown Seattle, experiencing true city life for the first time in a 375-square-foot apartment. While the city has its perks—an abundance of restaurants, entertainment and social scenes—I can’t help but find myself daydreaming about escaping to Mount Rainier, its majestic 13,211-foot white and blue peak visible from the concrete peaks downtown.

In early September, Ryan and I admired Mount Rainier from the city as she glowed in the morning sun. “That’s where we’re headed,” I told him. With an assortment of cameras, we hit the road, fleeing the city limits to get our feet dirty on the trails. Below are some photos from our trip. Check the rest of the gallery and full story here -- via Wall Street Journal Viewfinders (@wsjviewfinders).