Returned from Banff National Park!

Hikers on the Plain of Six Glaciers trail in Banff National Park.

I've returned from a fantastic trip to Lake Louise in Banff National Park!  Also visited were Kootenay and Yoho National Parks!

The photography opportunities were excellent.  I spent considerable time at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but ventured many other places as well - including the Icefields Parkway, Takakkaw Falls, and up and down the Bow Valley Parkway.

Wildlife was plentiful.  I photographed black bears, grizzley bears and several large bull elk.

I will be editing images from this trip for quite some time, but hope to be able to share some soon!  Be sure and check back from time to time!

Visiting the Canadian Rockies!

Mount Assiniboine Reflection

I'm excited to be leaving for the Canadian Rockies in just a few days!  While I won't be visiting Assiniboine Provincial Park on this trip (pictured), I will in a subsequent trip in late September.

I do plan to photograph throughout Banff National Park and possibly Jasper National Park as well.  The opportunities should abound and I am excited!

I have visited the Canadian Rockies on several occasions.  I have hiked and climbed in most of the national and provincial parks associated with them.  However, years have gone by since I last enjoyed visiting one of my very favorite places.  Redemption!

I will be focusing on Banff National Park for this trip, primarily areas around Lake Louise.  I hope to venture into Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay as well, but they will be limited.  My photography will be mostly roadside and short dayhikes.

In late September I will be returning to these very parks - and more!  I will be backpacking into Assiniboine and Mount Robson Provincial Parks, as well as Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper National Parks.  It should be an exciting season.  I hope to return with many new images to share!

Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park

Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park

To enjoy the best that the Washington coast has to offer, one must be willing to hike away from the paved roads.  For those that do, incredible beaches and sea stacks await you - Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches, Strawberry Point, Toleak Point, Cape Alava, Third Beach - and more.

There is an exception, however.  Ruby Beach is simply a 0.25 mile stroll from the parking lot just off Highway 101 near the Hoh River entrance to Olympic National Park.  It offers incredible scenery, including up-close sea stacks, and makes for an excellent sunset destination.

This image was captured during a March visit while camped at the Hoh River Campground in ONP.  I had hoped to photographed the sea stacks, but this early in the year the best light was further to the south.  I'm happy with what I came away with.  Others appear to be as well, as this image was recently licensed to appear in world-wide circulated textbook!

You may view other images from the coast in my Washington Coast Gallery.

As always, thanks for looking!

North Cascades National Park Gallery Update

Glacier Peak above Image Lake at dawn.

July is here and I am busy planning backpacks for the coming months, as I'm sure many of you are!  Of course, with our late snow melt in the Pacific Northwest, many trips will have to be scheduled a little later than normal.  Do you have anything special planned?

Speaking of backpacks, I've finally gotten around to updating my North Cacades Gallery with images from an extended backpack I did last September.  The trip was a loop trip, beginning at Buck Creek Pass and continueing on to Image Lake, Cloudy Pass, Lyman Lakes, Spider Gap and Spider Meadows. It's a classic backpack and I now know why!

Fortress Mountain above flower meadows.

This special trip provided me with several new images which I am excited to share.  You may view my North Cascades Gallery, or visit any of my other galleries by visiting my web site at http://www.mountainscenes.com/.  I hope you enjoy.

More images will be coming soon.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July!