Mount Rainier: Where the UFO Phenomenon Began
On June 24, 1947, private pilot Kenneth Arnold was flying near Mount Rainier when he spotted nine luminous objects flying in formation at speeds he estimated at 1,700 mph — far beyond any aircraft of the era. His description of their movement — "like saucers skipping across water" — gave birth to the term "flying saucer."
This single sighting triggered the modern UFO phenomenon. But what most people don't know is that Mount Rainier continues to be one of the most active UFO hotspots in the world.
The mountain's massive electromagnetic field, created by its volcanic core and metallic mineral deposits, may act as a beacon — or a power source — for whatever these craft are. Military radar installations at Joint Base Lewis-McChord have tracked anomalous objects near the mountain's summit dozens of times.
Captain Ron has photographed strange lights near Rainier's summit on multiple occasions. "The mountain isn't just a mountain," he says. "It's a landmark — and not just for us."
Whether you're viewing from Olympia's Capitol campus or hiking the Wonderland Trail, keep your eyes on the skies above Tahoma.
