* The wildflowers continue to draw visitors to Paradise and Sunrise. While flowers might be past their peak at Sunrise, this is time to see them at their most colorful at Paradise.

Fans of avalanche lilies are in for a treat, since these delicate white flowers are in abundance this summer. Melinda Simpson, operations manager for Rainier Guest Services Inc., says it’s been years since she has seen so many lilies. She said on a recent hike along the Lake Trail on the ridge east of Paradise, the meadows were awash in white lilies.

* The 26th RAMROD bike ride, sponsored by the Redmond Cycling Club, will take place today, bringing about 800 cyclists to the roads in and around Mount Rainier.

Visitors driving in the park should expect some delays, congestion around designated checkpoints and support areas, and long lines of bicyclists on the roads.

The ride starts and ends in Enumclaw. It will head toward the park through Eatonville, the Alder Cutoff Road, Highway 7 and Highway 706 toward Ashford, then travel along Skate Creek Road to U.S. 12 at Packwood. East of Packwood, the ride goes north on Highway 123, within the east side of the park. Riders will leave the park on Highway 410 at the park’s northeast boundary and return to Enumclaw.

Drivers might encounter bicyclists walking their bikes up hills or riding slowly to maintain control . Drivers are asked to use extra care when passing bicyclists, and to do so only when there is sufficient road clearance and line of sight to do so safely.

* Park staff is warning visitors to be prepared for high streams and rivers due to snow melt and possible debris flows. The forecast calls for temperatures in the park to be in the upper 80s this weekend and next week.

Water released from glaciers gathers rocks and sediment to form “debris flows” that can affect valleys on the mountain flanks. Such flows behave like lahars, but are typically small enough they rarely travel beyond the volcano base.

Debris flows pose risks to park visitors and infrastructure, especially trails, roads and bridges.

Acting deputy superintendent Roger Andrascik said visitors should keep this in mind when traveling around glacial streams, especially up the West Side Road, Van Trump Creek and Christine Falls and the Winthrop Glacier.

When hiking in valleys on the slopes of Mount Rainier this time of year, or during intense rainfall, be alert for the signs of an approaching debris flow – ground shaking and roaring sound – and move up the valley wall to higher ground.

Jeffrey P. Mayor, The News Tribune