Pacific Northwest Road Trip...
I had the opportunity to explore several areas of the Pacific Northwest recently on a 10 day road trip. Nana was hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Rainy Pass in Washington's North Cascades National Park to Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia, a distance of 79 miles. While she trudged through some of North America's most beautiful country, I took advantage of the location and photographed several iconic spots I had yet to visit...
North Cascades National Park...
Washington's Hwy 20 winds its way through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery anywhere as it passes through North Cascades National Park. While Nana and her friend trudged through this beautiful country on foot, I explored by car and photographed many new and wonderful locations. I also was able to visit the highest point in the state you can drive a car - Harts Pass and the Slate Peak Fire Lookout at an elevation over 7400'. This is the only point the PCT nears a road during this stretch. I was able to meet the gals on their second night on the trail and provide them with some BBQ'ed burgers, cold libations and good cheer!
Nana and Julie at the trailhead, Rainy Pass, Washington...
The PCT winds through the high elevation meadows near Harts Pass...
Hwy 20 through North Cascades National Park...
Colorful Fireweed leads the new growth in a burn area near Harts Pass...
Colorful Diablo Lake in the North Cascades...
Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan...
As I wandered north to position myself to be closer to the finish, I next explored the Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan areas. When I arrived, it was a perfect summer afternoon with wispy clouds. blue skies and lots of snow still present on the mountains. I fought the breezes for perfect reflections but managed to get a few shots when it calmed down enough...
Mt. Shuksan with some Fireweed in the foreground...
Mt. Baker basks in the afternoon sun...
Mt. Shuksan reflected in Picture Lake...
Mt. Baker reveals more of itself...
Mt. Rainier National Park...
After the successful conclusion of the hike, Nana, Julie and I wandered south from British Columbia to the Mt. Rainier area. We made our approach from the northeast entrance of the park near Chinook Pass and Tipso Lake. The weather was perfect as were the wildflowers. Mt. Rainier boasts one of the world's premier wildflower blooms in the parks and meadows on its flanks below timberline. We were not disappointed. The late spring storms made for a delayed bloom and spectacular displays everywhere you looked. It was like walking through the most beautiful garden you have ever seen, the smells heavenly. Unfortunately, as we made our way to the south side near Paradise, Mother Nature socked in the mountain for a couple of days but on day three, we were finally able to see it in all its glory. The fog and low clouds of the first 2 days did give me the opportunity to take some wonderful photographs of the flowers without the harsh light of the sun...
Tipso Lake wildflowers...
Wildflowers cling to the slopes below Paradise on Mt. Rainier...
Wildflowers cling to the slopes below Paradise on Mt. Rainier...
Mt. Rainer peeks through the clouds over Reflection Lake at dawn...
Mt. Rainier makes a brief appearance through the clouds at first light...
Wildflowers everywhere with the Tatoosh Range in the background...
The wildflowers were off the hook!!
Trail through the fog above Paradise...
Christine Falls...
Rolling meadows of wildflowers and the Tatoosh Range...
When the sun finally appeared, everything was just that much more beautiful!
Mt. Hood...
After Leaving Mt. Rainier, we headed south to Oregon and the Mt. Hood area. I had wanted to photograph this iconic peak reflected at sunset in Trillium Lake for some time. Conditions were very good with the exception of some drift smoke from one of the many wildfires plaguing the west...
Mt. Hood above Trillium Lake...
Mt. Hood at sunset above Trillium Lake...
Last light on Mt. Hood...
In the 10 days, I covered 2300+ miles and took many wonderful new photographs. All in all, it was a great trip and we made some new friends along the way!
Here's to good light!
Bill
North Cascades National Park...
Washington's Hwy 20 winds its way through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery anywhere as it passes through North Cascades National Park. While Nana and her friend trudged through this beautiful country on foot, I explored by car and photographed many new and wonderful locations. I also was able to visit the highest point in the state you can drive a car - Harts Pass and the Slate Peak Fire Lookout at an elevation over 7400'. This is the only point the PCT nears a road during this stretch. I was able to meet the gals on their second night on the trail and provide them with some BBQ'ed burgers, cold libations and good cheer!
Nana and Julie at the trailhead, Rainy Pass, Washington...
The PCT winds through the high elevation meadows near Harts Pass...
Hwy 20 through North Cascades National Park...
Colorful Fireweed leads the new growth in a burn area near Harts Pass...
Colorful Diablo Lake in the North Cascades...
Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan...
As I wandered north to position myself to be closer to the finish, I next explored the Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan areas. When I arrived, it was a perfect summer afternoon with wispy clouds. blue skies and lots of snow still present on the mountains. I fought the breezes for perfect reflections but managed to get a few shots when it calmed down enough...
Mt. Shuksan with some Fireweed in the foreground...
Mt. Baker basks in the afternoon sun...
Mt. Shuksan reflected in Picture Lake...
Mt. Baker reveals more of itself...
Mt. Rainier National Park...
After the successful conclusion of the hike, Nana, Julie and I wandered south from British Columbia to the Mt. Rainier area. We made our approach from the northeast entrance of the park near Chinook Pass and Tipso Lake. The weather was perfect as were the wildflowers. Mt. Rainier boasts one of the world's premier wildflower blooms in the parks and meadows on its flanks below timberline. We were not disappointed. The late spring storms made for a delayed bloom and spectacular displays everywhere you looked. It was like walking through the most beautiful garden you have ever seen, the smells heavenly. Unfortunately, as we made our way to the south side near Paradise, Mother Nature socked in the mountain for a couple of days but on day three, we were finally able to see it in all its glory. The fog and low clouds of the first 2 days did give me the opportunity to take some wonderful photographs of the flowers without the harsh light of the sun...
Tipso Lake wildflowers...
Wildflowers cling to the slopes below Paradise on Mt. Rainier...
Wildflowers cling to the slopes below Paradise on Mt. Rainier...
Mt. Rainer peeks through the clouds over Reflection Lake at dawn...
Mt. Rainier makes a brief appearance through the clouds at first light...
Wildflowers everywhere with the Tatoosh Range in the background...
The wildflowers were off the hook!!
Trail through the fog above Paradise...
Christine Falls...
Rolling meadows of wildflowers and the Tatoosh Range...
When the sun finally appeared, everything was just that much more beautiful!
Mt. Hood...
After Leaving Mt. Rainier, we headed south to Oregon and the Mt. Hood area. I had wanted to photograph this iconic peak reflected at sunset in Trillium Lake for some time. Conditions were very good with the exception of some drift smoke from one of the many wildfires plaguing the west...
Mt. Hood above Trillium Lake...
Mt. Hood at sunset above Trillium Lake...
Last light on Mt. Hood...
In the 10 days, I covered 2300+ miles and took many wonderful new photographs. All in all, it was a great trip and we made some new friends along the way!
Here's to good light!
Bill
posted by Bill Langton at
11:21 AM
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