Photography Guide

Golden Hour at Mount Rainier

Washington, United States — Glaciated volcanic peak rising above wildflower meadows.

Golden hour at Mount Rainier varies from 52 minutes in the morning to 51 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:47 in January to 07:45 in December. Glaciated volcanic peak rising above wildflower meadows. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.

Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour

MonthSunriseSunsetGold AMGold PMSunrise °Sunset °
Jan07:4716:4449m49m121° ESE239° WSW
Feb07:1017:3043m43m108° ESE252° WSW
Mar07:1919:1140m40m92° E268° W
Apr06:1919:5441m41m75° ENE285° WNW
May05:3120:3444m44m61° ENE299° WNW
Jun05:1221:0247m47m54° NE306° NW
Jul05:2820:5846m46m57° ENE304° WNW
Aug06:0420:1842m42m68° ENE292° WNW
Sep06:4519:2040m40m85° E275° W
Oct07:2518:2142m41m102° ESE258° WSW
Nov07:1016:3347m47m117° ESE243° WSW
Dec07:4516:1852m51m124° SE236° SW

Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.

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See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date

Frequently Asked Questions

When is golden hour at Mount Rainier?
Golden hour at Mount Rainier varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 52m and evening 51m during the peak month.
What time is sunrise at Mount Rainier?
Sunrise ranges from 07:47 in January to 07:45 in December.
What direction does the sun rise and set at Mount Rainier?
Sunrise bearing shifts from 124° SE in winter to 54° NE in summer. Sunset shifts from 236° SW to 306° NW.
What is the best time of year to photograph Mount Rainier?
For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest.
What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Mount Rainier?
Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 07:07. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Mount Rainier?
Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
Is Mount Rainier good for astrophotography?
Milky Way core visibility is limited from Mount Rainier due to latitude or light conditions. However, star trails and constellation photography are possible year-round during astronomical darkness. Use Heliora to check dark sky hours for your planned date.

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