Don Geyer Events

Visiting Island Lake in the Wind Rivers

2012-01-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

Mount Fremont and Jackson Peak above a tarn near Island Lake

While filling some book and print orders recently, I noticed a couple of print requests from the Wind River Range - both from the same trip.

Some images require more blood and sweat than others, and these were such an example!

Let me tell the story.

We arrived at the Elkhart Entrance parking lot late in the evening. We moved all our gear from the back of my truck to the front cab, and crawled in under the canopy to sleep for the evening. We didn't sleep much. Shortly after 2:00 am, some local yahoos showed up and began trying to break into vehicles and vandalize them. They also defecated on the hoods of vehicles, targeting specific out-of-state license plates.

Fortunately, we were not the only ones sleeping in our vehicles, and soon car alarms began going off. With the added help of our voices and flashlights, the goons sped off. We were able to provide a description of their vehicle to the ranger in the morning, and received assurance that they would watch our vehicle in the coming days.

Evening light on Elephant Head.

With that headache out of the way, we packed our gear and began our trek up the Titcomb Basin Trail in the morning. We were only about 2 miles up the trail when it happened; I turned my ankle and crumpled to the ground in pain. I couldn't seem to walk it off, and the pain grew worse as I rested. In my mind, we had traveled too far (from Washington) to turn back. We still had 8 more miles to hike to get to Island Lake - our desired camp.

Eventually, with the help of trekking poles, I was able to force some weight onto the ankle and get back on it. We continued up the trail at a snail's pace, probably 1/3 of my normal hiking speed. I found myself focusing on stepping squarely each step; a tedious and disconcerting process.

We successfully arrived at Island Lake late in the day and found a nice campsite. It would be our home for the next few days.

With the ankle injury, there would be no wanderings into Upper Titcomb Basin or Indian Basin on this trip, as originally planned. I had explored both areas on a previous trip and desperately wanted to return for photography. Instead, I focused my photography around Island Lake in mornings and evenings, which offered some benefits and new learning experiences.

What did I do during the middle of the day? Mostly rest and soak my ankle. After all, I had 10 miles of hiking ahead of me to get back to my truck!

We still enjoyed our trip immensely. How could we not with such beauty all around us? After all, we were in the Winds! We experienced beautiful sunrises and sunsets, afternoon lightning storms, and beautiful rainbows.

I managed the return hike to my truck without issue, but was forced to cancel our trek into Cirque of the Towers due to the ankle. I have subsequently returned to both these places and am happy to report I have not experienced any vandalism or theft issues, only more incredible times.

If you wish to see more images from the Wind River Range, you may check out my Wind River Gallery.

Thanks for visiting!

2013 Calendar Images

2012-01-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

Garden Wall above Granite Park.

2012 has started nicely for me, with these three images being selected to appear in a 2013 calendar. I hope there will be many more such stories to share this year!

The first image is from Granite Park in Glacier National Park in Montana. It was taken on the first day of a 7 day backpack of the North Circle. The view is looking back along the Garden Wall towards Logan Pass - our starting point.

We were fortunate to catch the flowers in bloom, albeit slightly past their peak in most instances (not all). Granite Park, Fifty Mountain, Sue Lake Bench and Stoney Indian Lake all presented magnificent meadows in full bloom for us. Such a treat!

This hike is available as a day hike as well for those not wishing to commit to an extended stay. The Highline Trail along the Garden Wall can be hiked to Granite Park and back to Logan Pass, or as a one-way trip by doing The Loop and catching the park shuttle back up to Logan Pass.

Either way, it makes for a fantastic trip!

Haystack Falls

The second image is also from Glacier National Park, though a different trip.

Haystack Falls is located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road as it nears Logan Pass. It's a beautiful waterfall that catches the eye of most motorists as they pass. The cascade is framed by brick work as the road crosses the stream.

Care should be taken here if choosing to photograph the waterfall. This area has a high volume of traffic for most of the day and turnouts are limited. The best parking is a short walk away, and involves carefully walking the road back to the falls. I recommend visiting in late afternoon when most people have returned to their campsite for dinner. In fact, that is exactly when I took this image!

Another important consideration is to know the scheduled road closures for Going-to-the-Sun Road for road repair work. I believe the work is scheduled to last through 2013. Haystack Falls is beyond the gate and not accessible once the closure takes place.

To view more images from this wonderful park, including additional images of Granite Park and Haystack Falls, you may view my Glacier National Park Gallery.

Elowah Falls.

The final image is from a little closer to my home. It's of Elowah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon.

Elowah Falls is approached via a short hike from the John B. Yeon trailhead. It's about 0.75 miles to the falls on a pleasant forest trail. It can easily be combined with Upper McCord Creek Falls.

Elowah Falls is located in a large basin, offering many different compositions of the falls. Much time can be spent here, and should be. One can include the bridge, shown here, or use many other possible foregrounds, including rocks in the stream or plentiful vegetation.

I recommend combing this hike with visits to Latourell Falls, Multnomah Falls, Ponytail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls and more! There is a lot to see in the Columbia River Gorge, and one can easily spend a full day doing so. Don't forget Beacon Rock and Stonehenge on the Washington side!

You can view more images of Elowah Falls, as well as many other waterfalls of this area in my Columbia River Gorge Gallery.

Enjoy, and thanks for visiting!

Congratulations to the Northwest Exposure Photo Contest Winners!

2012-01-10T07:37:00.000-08:00

This year I once again served as a panel judge for Washington Trails Assocation's Northwest Exposure photo contest, joining my friend Dave Schiefelbein, Wade Trenbeath, Eli Boschetto and Kindra Ramos. It was a fun evening, made easier for us thanks to all the hard work of Kindra.

This is an event I really enjoy taking part in. I enjoy seeing the variety of images submitted, and seeing each photographers perspective on both familiar and unfamiliar subjects. There are a lot of talented photographers that take part in this contest.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The grand prize winner was Todd Mortensen for his fantastic image from one of my favorite Olympic beaches - Ruby Beach. Todd also won Editor's Choice for his spring image from the Columbia Hills.

The categories being judged included Nature & Landscape, Flora & Fauna, Hikers In Action, and Families On Trail. First, second and third place winners were selected.

To learn all the winning entries and to see these beautiful images, be sure to check out the Jan + Feb issue of Washington Trails magazine! If you are not a subscriber, you can find the magazine at REI and other outdoor recreation supply stores. Or better yet, go to http://www.wta.org/ and subscribe!

UPDATE: The complete list of winners and their images can now be viewed on the WTA's web site!

Only 3 Days Left for this Special Offer!

2011-12-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

Mount Rainier by Don Geyer

*Edit: This sale has ended.
That's right, time is running out!

I have teamed with veteran guidebook author Craig Romano to offer a special savings! For a limited time, you can purchase my Mount Rainer book and Romano's NEW Backpacking Washington book together for over a 34% savings!

These books together retail for $28.90. But we are offering them as a package for $18.95! There are only 3 days left to take advantage of this offer!

Craig Romano & Don Geyer - A Special Book Offer!

2011-12-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

Don Geyer and Craig Romano.

It's not too late! But this special offer will be ending soon!

I have teamed with veteran guidebook author Craig Romano to offer a special savings! For a limited time, you can purchase my Mount Rainer book and Romano's NEW Backpacking Washington book together for over a 34% savings!

These books together retail for $28.90. But we are offering them as a package for $18.95! Again, this is a limited time offer, so you need to jump on it quickly! You can learn more at www.mountainscenes.com/special.html!

Order yours today!

You can also learn more about these books by reading my previous blog post.

A Special Offer for the Holidays!

2011-12-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

"Mount Rainier" by Don Geyer

I have a special announcement in time for the holidays! I have teamed with veteran guidebook author Craig Romano to offer a special savings! For a limited time, you can purchase my Mount Rainer book and Romano's NEW Backpacking Washington book together for over a 34% savings!

These books together retail for $28.90. But we are offering them as a package for $18.95! Again, this is a limited time offer, so you need to jump on it quickly! You can learn more at www.mountainscenes.com/special.html!

Mount Rainier is a collection of my favorite photographs taken throughout Mount Rainier National Park, and includes my hints and recommendations about where, when and how to achieve successful photographic images of the park. I have broken my recommendations down by season, and even by weather. There is always something to photograph in the park! If you're not a photographer, you can simply enjoy the artistic images and the moods and emotions they elicit as you take a visual tour thru this beautiful national park. I try to explain the attraction of each area and the beauty such areas hold in certain seasons.

"Backpacking Washinton" by Craig Romano

Backpacking Washington is the most comprehensive backpacking guide to Washington State! Veteran guidebook author Craig Romano hits the trail again - this time to uncover amazing backpacking opportunities all over Washington's wilderness. Backpacking Washington details 70 routes, from the lush Hoh River Glacier Meadows to the open ridges of the Columbia Highlands and beyond. With an emphasis on weekend trips, routes range from overnight to weeklong treks and often include options for extending trips and choosing campsites.

Together, these books will make excellent gifts! Give them to the hiker and photographer you know, or keep one for yourself and give the other away. Hey, your secret is safe with me!

Again, you can learn more about this special offer at www.mountainscenes.com/special.html.

Thank you for visiting.

Buy Our Archival Quality Note Cards!

2011-12-05T20:09:00.000-08:00

The biggest selling item at my shows has been my note cards, especially as the holidays near. If you haven't seen these, they are very high quality cards - printed on acid free, 100% cotton fiber using archival ink. These cards will truly stand the test of time, and are suitable for framing!

I currently have eight sets available: Mount Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, North Cascades, and Olympic. Different sets are available of Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic, so it is worth checking them all out!

If you've been to my shows, you have been accustomed to purchasing individual cards as well. I am considering making these available online, at a future time.

These cards are perfect for "Thank You" cards, or just to keep in touch with a friend or loved one while adding a personal touch from the Pacific Northwest!

Which note card set is your favorite? You can view them at www.mountainscenes.com/notecards.html

Happy Holidays!

Come see us at the Kent Winter Craft Bazaar December 2nd & 3rd!

2011-11-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to be part of the 2011 Kent Winter Craft Bazaar, now celebrating its 28th year! Mark your calendars for this Friday and Saturday, December 2nd and 3rd, and come on down and see us at Kent Commons - right across the street from Kent Station! The address is 525 4th Avenue N. in Kent. Times are 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday, and 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday. We will be at Booth #6. Admission is $1.00. Map available here.

This will be our first time participating in this show, though we have been hearing about it for years. It's one of the originals in the area, and has quite the reputation!

This will also be our last show of the year.

Don Geyer's note cards - individual and sets.

I've done something new for this show. Of the dozens of new pre-matted prints I have prepared, I've included many from out-of-state destinations such as Yosemite National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Death Valley National Park, the Oregon coast, Painted Hills in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Skagit Valley tulips and more. I'll have way too many to display, so I plan to have more bins to house the remainder! Some of these images have appeared in various publications, while others are completely fresh and new!

Of course, I will still have copies of my signed book Mount Rainier, individual note cards, note card sets, postcards, and poster prints for sale as well.

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the things I enjoy most about these shows is the chance to meet new people and share stories, as well as catch up with old friends and aquaintences. As this will be our first time doing this show, I'm expecting to see mostly new faces.

So come on by and see us for our last show of 2011!

Come see us at the Renton Holiday Bazaar!

2011-11-16T08:24:00.000-08:00

The Renton Holiday Bazaar is back for its 16th year, and I am excited to be a part of it once again! I will have pre-matted prints, poster prints, individual and box set note cards, postcards, and my signed book, Mount Rainier available for purchase.

Come see us this Friday and Saturday, November 18th & 19th at the Renton Community Center, just off I-405 and the Maple Valley Highway. Hours are 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday, and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday.

One of the things I enjoy most about these shows is the chance to meet new people and share stories, as well as catch up with old friends and clients. This venue has been very successful for us in the past and we are looking forward to another great show!

Come by and say hi!

In Loving Memory of Richard Lee Geyer - May 15, 1941 - Oct. 27, 2011

2011-11-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

Dad hiking Ptarmigan Ridge in the North Cascades.

The e-mail caught me off guard. It was followed by a confirming phone call. My dad failed to return home from a hike on October 27th. It was now 9:00 am the next day, suggesting something was very wrong.

Dad set out to hike the Harry's Ridge trail at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. He picked this hike out long ago, and was excited to visit the area.

I immediately thought of the exposed section of trail where it skirts an outcrop, and wondered if he suffered a slip. I phoned the Skamania County Sheriff's office to report him missing. They confirmed his car was still in the parking lot, and began to mobilize their resources.

I threw most of my climbing gear into the back of my truck and, together with my brother, drove down to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Having had Mountaineering Oriented First Aid (MOFA) training, I was prepared to help out with the search and rescue any way I could.

Dad and I at camp on Ptarmigan Ridge in the North Cascades.

We arrived to learn there would be no search and rescue. Dad's body had already been located. He had suffered a tragic fall of ~ 40' and sustained a massive head wound. An autopsy revealed that he also suffered a broken leg, dislocated wrist, and internal bleeding. Though he did not die from the impact, he died very shortly afterward.

Wow.

We spent most of the day with the sheriff out in the wind and rain, answering questions, digesting information gathered at the scene, and trying to make sense of it all. I couldn't get my mind off my mom, and how we were going to break the news to her. She would be devastated.

Dad with his brother Arlie and me on Burroughs Mountain,
Mount Rainier National Park.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I shouldered a tremendous amount of guilt over my dad's accident. I introduced my dad to the mountains and hiking and backpacking. He fell in love with them and we went on many, many trips together. Safety had never been a concern with my dad on our trips. He knew his abilities and always stayed within them. Now I could only wonder if I had failed to prepare him in some way. After all, I had always been there for dad. This was only his second solo trip; his first being less than a year ago. Both were to popular areas where he would never truly be alone. Both were short day hikes.

When details of the autopsy were learned, it became clear that my dad's accident had nothing to do with lack of preparedness, but rather a decision he made while enjoying the moment. He was looking for an even better view. Bless him.

Dad and I at Death Valley National Park.

My dad had an incredible hike that day. Upon arriving at the parking lot that morning, he spoke to a volunteer worker who couldn't get over the excitement in dad's voice. It was a beautiful, sunny day and dad couldn't wait to get started on the trail. He photographed his entire hike, including a herd of elk he found along the way. I know my dad had a lot of fun this day. The final events of his life would not have happened if he were not having fun. He was enjoying the moment.

My dad and I enjoyed many hikes together throughout the state. Burroughs Mountain at Mount Rainier National Park was probably his favorite, though Glacier View in the Glacier View Wilderness was a close second. Other memorable hikes include Tolmie Peak in Mount Rainier National Park, the Elwha and Grand Valley in Olympic National Park, Park Butte, Ptarmigan Ridge and Cutthroat Pass in the North Cascades, High Rock in the South Cascades, and Norway Pass/Mount Margarett in Mount St. Helens National Monument. I'm sure I am forgetting several more.

Dad hiking Fall Canyon in Death Valley
National Park.

We also traveled out of state to such places as the Wind River Range in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, Glacier National Park, and his favorite - Death Valley National Park. Many memories from each of these hikes/trips will remain in my head forever. And I will always smile when I think of them.

My dad experienced a rejuvenation in life after he started hiking with me. He stopped smoking, started eating better, and began excersizing regularly. I never thought about this. It had to be pointed out to me by family.

I'm proud to have introduced my dad to hiking and backpacking. Dad was truly a different person on the trail, and you could see how much he enjoyed it. Being able to watch the sun rise and set from our tent in the backcountry was an entirely new experience for him. He loved it.

Dad enjoyed the forest as much as the mountain tops. His slow pace on the trail would sometimes frustrate me, and I would encourage him to pick it up. He never understood my hurry, and wondered why I didn't slow down and smell the flowers more. I would try to convince him that the higher views ahead were worth hurrying for. I never won this argument.

Dad's tragic fall took place at a location where I have photographed from many times. These images will always have special meaning to me now. They are of his last view.

I am equally proud to know that some of my most popular images to get published have been from trips I did with my dad. He was always tickled to learn of a new image use agreement, and we would relive the memory of that trip.

Dad on Lillian Ridge, Olympic National Park.

I can't speak highly enough of the staff at Johnston Ridge Observatory. Todd, Roger and all the others - too many names to remember. We were offered courtesies beyond any and all expectations. They were a class act and I am indebted to them.

I would also like to thank Skamania County Sheriff Deputy George Barker for his kindness and thoughtfulness. He was more than an officer on this day. He was an understanding friend.

Rest in peace, dad. You are missed and loved by many. Especially me. I love you.

Photographing the Enchantment Lakes

2011-10-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

Prusik above frozen Gnome Tarn.

The Enchantment Lakes are one of the most beautiful destinations our state of Washington has to offer. The high alpine lakes are set in granite basins surrounded by larches that turn brilliant gold in fall, and towering peaks above. They attract photographers, hikers and climbers from around the country.

You must have a permit to visit this fantastic place, which encourages one to plan in advance. Of course, if you're feeling lucky, you can roll the dice the morning of by playing their lottery system. Don't get caught without a permit; the rangers patrol the area and strictly enforce the permit policy.

Once the legal obstacles are handled, one must face the physical challenge of the approach, and decide which approach is best for them.

The Snow Lake approach gains 5,700' in ~9.5 miles. Aasgard Pass, a favorite among many, has 1,000' less elevation gain and shorter distance, but uses a climber's path to ascend over a nearly 8,000' pass before descending to the lakes. Neither approach can be classified as easy.

The Enchantment Lakes are best visited from late July through mid-October. Late July-early August will often find the area mostly snow-covered, though peaks are very accessible. Late August and September are the best hiking months; the area is mostly melted out and the weather generally continues to be nice. This is a great time to explore and scramble in the upper basin. October offers the turning of the larches, as well as the seasons. It's common to have a dusting of snow on the ground, making off-trail travel in the upper basin tricky. Though photographic throughout the summer, October offers a photographer's paradise when the larches can be timed right. Unfortunately, the weather can be unpredictable and present challenges. One must be prepared for winter conditions, or to even cancel their trip altogether.

Larches above Sprite Lake.

My first October visit to the Enchantment Lakes several years ago hit the larches at their absolute peak, and had fantastic weather from beginning to end. I thought this was the norm. My second visit found poor conditions with snow and heavy clouds. I had to cancel my third visit entirely due to a prior system that dumped heavy snow in the area, and was forecast to last the duration of my visit. I've learned to never take the Enchantments Lakes for granted again!

This year we once again had a system move in ahead of our visit, bringing temperatures in the 20's, and snow. Nine inches of fresh snow were reported at Lake Vivian the day of our entry. As such, we elected to to approach via Snow Lakes. This would offer us a seemingly easier approach under the conditions, as well as an easier bail route should we need to beat a hasty retreat.

Camp near Sprite Lake.

We hiked in under sunny skies, knowing the forecast was for a short window of nice weather before a new system was to threaten our final day.

We arrived at Lake Vivian to find the few backpackers there had been tent-bound the previous day during a blizzard. Reports were that nobody was camped higher.

We continued on to Sprite Lake, arriving after 9 hours of hiking and 5,700' above our starting point. The snow awaited us as promised.

Prusik Peak Reflection near Leprechaun Lake.

October Photography

Photography options abound throughout the Enchantment Lakes. But if looking for larches in October, the best option is the lower lakes; Lake Vivian, Leprechaun Lake, Sprite Lake, Perfection Lake, Inspiration Lake and Gnome Tarn provide excellent showings of larch. Larch can be found higher, but their numbers are greatly reduced. A central camp to easily access all these areas is recommended.

My Recommendations:

Prusik Peak above frozen Gnome Tarn.

Lake Vivian: I have not photographed Lake Vivian, though having passed by it many times, I believe it to be very photogenic. It offers a lake set in granite amidst larches, and a unique perspective of Prusik Peak above. I'm not sure Prusik is very photogenic from this side, however. I would probably tend to focus on the lake itself. I hope to spend time photographing near its outlet stream, as well as up high from an obvious overlook along the trail. I've always found myself passing through this area during the middle of the day, and camped too far away for a comfortable visit.

Leprechaun Lake: I've always liked Leprechaun Lake. It is lined with larches and offers excellent views of Prusik Peak and The Temple. It's a large lake and subject to windy conditions. I would suggest the chances of catching a reflection as slim to none. However, don't despair! Locate the trail that explores the peninsula of the lake. At the very end are some tarns, one of which catches a beautiful reflection of the peaks above in late afternoon/evening, which is when the best light arrives.

There are many other excellent compositions to be had around this lake. Be sure and check out the south shore. A fun exploration to get there can begin from Sprite Lake. More on that later. There are also some beautiful tarns between Leprechaun Lake and the climb to Sprite Lake, and an interesting stream.

Upper Basin from Gnome Tarn.

Sprite Lake: Sprite Lake is a small gem of a lake encircled by larches, just shy of Perfection Lake. It's quite pretty and often photographed. If offers a small waterfall at its inlet from Perfection Lake, sandwiched between larches. Its outlet stream lines up to perfectly frame Prusik Peak. There is excellent photography to be had from each and every side of this heavenly lake, which can hold an early morning reflection. From this location, don't miss first light on the buttress above Perfection Lake to the west - it can turn a brilliant red in the right conditions, and reflects nicely if the water cooperates.

Wandering east off-trail from the lake, several tarns can be found, and much exploration around them. I've spent an entire day playing in this area, and using it as a shortcut to access the south shore of Leprechaun Lake below by traversing around a knoll.

Prusik Peak above frozen Gnome Tarn.

Sprite Lake is also the popular jumping off point to visit Crystal Lake. There is no camping at Crystal Lake, but it is a beautiful lake in a granite cirque with lots of interesting rock features and some larch - well worth visiting.

Perfection Lake: Perfection Lake is a very large lake with a prominent buttress to the west, and larches all around. The basin at its head offers excellent groves of larch, and also serves as the junction with the Prusik Pass trail, which gives access to Gnome Tarn. Campsites with incredible views can be found along this lake. Goats are common residents here, as they are above.

Prusik Peak above larches and Perfection Lake.

There are many excellent vantages immediately around this lake for photographing, the best at or near the lake's head in my opinion. For higher and much more encompassing views, follow the Prusik Pass trail up to Gnome Tarn, then gain the ridge above for unobstructed views back down to the lake, as well as Inspiration Lake and into the upper basin.

Other high views can be found by following the trail up to Inspiration Lake and locating the side-path near its outlet stream at the far end (before the steep climb). For even higher views, continue with the steep climb up beside the waterfall. At the top, take the side path east to the top of the prominent buttress seen below from Perfection Lake. The views are superb!

Photographer and upper basin of Enchantment Lakes.

Inspiration Lake: Inspiration Lake is set in a deep cirque. It's very scenic with larches lining its shoreline. Isolation shots work well here. Also, larches can be reflected in the lake. Views from above the inlet waterfall are also very nice, allowing the inclusion of Prusik Pass and even Prusik Peak (though the later requires some work to successfully compose).

If you are staying at Inspiration Lake, make sure to follow the outlet stream to views of Perfection mentioned above.

Prusik Peak above Gnome Tarn.

Gnome Tarn: Gnome Tarn offers the iconic image of Prusik Peak from the Enchantments.

For the easiest access to this lake, go to the junction at the head of Perfection Lake and take the Prusik Pass trail.

Many compositions can be had around this small tarn. It holds a reflection of Prusik Peak well. Add larches in season and the scene becomes...well, enchanting!

This scene is best photographed shortly after sunrise, once light has had a chance to light the rock of Prusik and the larches below. If you arrive at or before sunrise, continue up to the ridge top to get above the larches to the south, and catch first light on the peaks of the upper basin - breathtaking!

Photographer in the Upper Enchantments.

The Enchantment Lakes are an incredible place to visit and photograph. I would recommend budgeting at least five days for your visit, giving you an approach day, three full days to enjoy, and an exit day. More days would be even better.

Having painted this area in such glorious light, I must also take time to stress some safety considerations.

Understand the physical challenge required to get into the Enchantments and make sure it is within your ability. Both routes are physically demanding.

Choose your gear carefully and be conservative. Ounces add up quickly. I recommend a wide-angle and medium range zoom lens, along with polarizers and GND filters for your camera gear.

Be prepared for the weather and elements. The Enchantments can offer winter conditions at any time of year, and do. October can be particularly cold. During my visit, a group of photographers coming over Aasgard Pass in a blizzard learned this the hard way. It ruined their trip. Meanwhile, we found ourselves wearing all of our layers, all of the time!

I hope to have some of these images from my latest trip available on my web site soon. In the meantime, feel free to check out images from previous Enchantment trips, or peruse other galleries of my web site.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line.

As always, thanks for visiting!

Washington Trails Association's 2011 Northwest Exposure Contest

2011-10-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

Prusik Peak and Larches.

If you haven't done so already, be sure and submit your favorite images for the WTA's 2011 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest! This is a really fun contest with categories that fit almost every style of photography.

Images must be taken in Washington, and they must be from the hiking trail/backcountry (no backyard photos).

I will once again be serving as a panel judge for this contest, and am looking forward to reviewing another year's worth of fresh and exciting images. I hope to see yours too!

The deadline for this year's contest has just been extended to October 17th.

For more information on this contest, please visit the WTA's web page.

Edit: The WTA just created a profile page for us judges. Visit it to learn more about us and what we are looking for in a photo.

Buck Creek Pass/Spider Gap Loop

2011-10-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

Fortress Mountain above pink heather on Flower Dome.

The Buck Creek Pass - Spider Gap loop is considered one of the premier backpacking trips in Washington, and with good reason. Glaciers, high passes and lakes abound along this fantastic trek. Throw in a side trip to Image Lake (a must!) and this classic is raised to an even higher bar. Do this trip during flower season and it will add to your enjoyment and photography. This is an outstanding flower hike in season!

I elected to do this trip in the reverse route than most people for several reasons. The first was that I was starting my trek on Labor Day Weekend, and assumed Larch Knob, the obvious first night camp, would be crazy busy (I later learned it wasn't). The second was that I preferred walking the Phelps Creek Road downhill back to my truck rather than uphill.

Glacier Peak from Buck Creek Pass.

So, leaving my truck at the Buck Creek TH, I began my ascent to Buck Creek Pass on the extremely dusty trail. This was a 9-1/2 mile day with 3200' elevation gain. There aren't many highlights along the lower section of trail; it's pretty much a matter of just grunting up to the high country and camp.

From the upper camps at Buck Creek Pass, the views of Glacier Peak are excellent. In fact, the volcano can even be photographed from this location in the morning hours. The downside to these camps is that they are much more dusty than the lower camps, and further away from water and the privy.

Fortress Mountain above lupine on Flower Dome.

Fortress Mountain receives the best evening light in the area, so a stroll to Flower Dome is a must in the evening for photographers. Maps are incorrect that the trail stops short of the top. Also, the trail doesn't mess around; it gains elevation at an aggressive clip.

From Flower Dome, views of Fortress Mountain are excellent, and the flowers are expansive! I found the best vantage to be from the NW corner of the meadows. However, I recommend hiking to the top, then scouting from above to find your photography location of choice.

The morning hours are all about the trail toward High Pass and Triad Lake. At 6,800', Liberty Cap makes an excellent destination for views. However, the best flower photography is found much lower down - less than 20 minutes from camp at Buck Creek Pass.

Glacier Peak above Image Lake.

Triad Lake is a highly recommended destination while in the area. In fact, if I could recommend only one side trip from Buck Creek Pass, it would be Triad Lake. For even better views, find a safe line of travel to High Pass.

From Buck Creek Pass, the trail descends to a crossing of Small Creek, then climbs up and over Middle Ridge. Atop the ridge, an unmarked side trail ascends up to Sheep Camp. This is reportedly a magnificent camp and based on what I saw, I would have to agree. Next time!

From Middle Ridge, the trail descends to a crossing of Miners Creek and then climbs towards Suattle Pass and the junction with Miners Cabin trail.

The Miners Cabin trail begins by traversing a steep hillside in trees to and cliffs. Just pass the remains of the miners cabin is the junction with Miners Ridge trail, which switchbacks up to Ladyslipper Camp and then traverses beautiful open meadows of flowers in season, all the way to Image Lake. Photographers can spend some serious time along this section of trail.

Soon one arrives at Image Lake and the rolling green meadows all around. Bears are not uncommon here, especially on the higher slopes.

Evening light on Fortress Mountain.

For more flowers and excellent views of Fortress Mountain, hike back to the junction with the Canyon Lake trail. Hike it a very short distance and find an unmarked boot path leaving it and heading uphill. It soon becomes a very distinct trail, traversing flower meadows as it climbs to Point 6758. This is an excellent evening destination for photography.

Image Lake stands a better chance of holding a reflection in the evening than in morning. However, Glacier Peak receives only a sliver of light on it's upper slopes from this vantage. In my opinion, compositions of the lake and Glacier Peak are better served in the morning.

Sunrise on Glacier Peak above Image Lake.

Many choices and vantage points around Image Lake are available to the photographer. Indeed, one may wish to spend a couple of days in this area to compose from multiple locations.

A trail navigates around the shores of the lake, placing the upper slopes of Glacier Peak immediately above the trees to the south for an interesting composition.

Up higher, a horse bypass trail navigates high above the delicate areas around the lake and offers a much different perspective. This vantage offers more of the mountain and forests of the Suattle drainage, as well as a more encompassing view of the lake and surrounding meadows. A trail on the north side of the lake connects these two trails.

Glacier Peak above Image Lake.

I found this area to be best photographed at sunrise, and then again in mid-morning once the lake and meadows receive sunlight. Light comes fast to this basin, so don't wait too long.

Once the sun has climbed high in the sky and the photography is done, sprawl out and relax in this beautiful setting!

From Image Lake, one must retrace the trail back to the junction and continue on toward Suattle Pass. A junction just before Suattle Pass gives the hiker a choice of taking the highly scenic shortcut to Cloudy Pass. If conditions allow, I recommend it.

Dumbell Mountain above Lower Lyman Lake.

The views from Cloudy Pass are impressive. Arriving at the pass and seeing the view of Lyman Lakes for the first time is an eye-opener - much more so than seeing them from Spider Gap, in my opinion. There are campsites at and around the pass. From the pass, a trail ascends up Cloudy Peak, offering many scenic campsites along the way and opening up views to Glacier Peak and north to Buckner, Goode and...the list is too long!

Camp above Cloudy Pass below Cloudy Peak.

This area was also the buggiest of my entire trip. After setting my camera up on my tripod, I counted 12 horse flies on it within moments during mid-afternoon. They were nasty! In the heat of the day, I had to cover up in clothes. I tried to hide from the flies in the shade, but the mosquitoes were there waiting to swarm me - in the middle of the day.

After a couple of hours of this annoyance, a couple of strong, extended gusts of wind blew through the pass. When they stopped, I realized the large horse flies were gone. They never returned. It was the strangest thing.

The picture to the left shows my camp, as viewed from a knoll above the pass. It's deceptive. My camp is actually about about 50' or so above the pass. Still it gives you a good sense of the area. You can also see the path climbing the far slope to higher camps and views on Cloudy Peak.

I spent the evening photographing Dumbell Mountain above Lower Lyman Lake from a knoll to the west of the pass. I really enjoyed this vantage.

In the morning I ventured up to a shoulder on Cloudy Peak, where Glacier Peak could be viewed through the V gap of Cloudy Pass and over Middle Ridge. Lyman Lakes Basin didn't receive the morning light I thought it might. The minor ridge to the west of Cloudy Pass and below Fortress Mountain did though.

Fortress Mountain above Cloudy Pass (my camp is just to the left of
snow patch, bottom right corner).

Cloudy Pass is a wonderful area to hang out and explore (less the bugs). Water is available just 1/4 mile below the pass if a water source cannot be found up higher. I had the pass all to myself the night of my stay - well, except for the deer that visited me throughout the night.

From the pass, the trail descends through open meadows, then forest, to Lower Lyman Lake. Near the lake's outlet stream is a junction, with the trail to Upper Lyman Lakes crossing the outlet stream and ascending the slopes beyond.

Reflection near Upper Lyman Lakes.

Soon the trail leaves the forest and climbs through open meadows. Bonanza Peak emerges to dominate the skyline to the east, while tarns catch the reflection of the ridge to the west serving as a backdrop to Lyman Lakes. There is a lot to see and explore in this area, and a visit to the first upper lakes is a must.

Again, I was surprised to not see a soul in this area during my visit. In fact, I didn't run into a single hiker after leaving Cloudy Pass until ascending to the Spider Gap col. I would guess a weekend would be much different.

Reflection near Upper Lyman Lakes.

Finally, the much anticipated upper lake is reached and it is as advertised with the Lyman Glacier spilling into the lake below the icy walls of Chiwawa Mountain and icebergs floating in the lake. One can only reflect back to older generation pictures of this glacier when it was much greater in size. But the sight is still impressive.

This upper basin is an area that doesn't receive much light outside of mid-day. Clouds would definitely help with photography here. I had none, so I played with isolating the glacier and lake. Still, the light was harsh and I would have preferred some high clouds to help diffuse the light.

The basin is also quite large and demands much exploring. Definitely find the moraine trail along the shore of the upper lake. You can follow this as far as you wish toward the Lyman Glacier and snow bank at the south end of the lake. Find a spot atop one of the many large boulders and find time to relax and reflect.

Yours truly at Upper Lyman Lake.

The route over Spider Gap is very straightforward and easy to navigate in nice weather. The descent of the Spider Glacier down to Larch Knob was equally easy. I highly recommend spending a night at Larch Knob! Again, this is an area set in the deep valley of Phelps Creek and only receives mid-day light. Seven Finger Jack and Mt. Maude receive evening light, but lack visual interest from this perspective without the help of dramatic clouds, in my opinion.

From Larch Knob it's a steep descent down to Spider Meadows via many switchbacks, but the trail provides a birds eye view of the valley below, which are quite impressive. Spider Meadows offer a pleasant stroll through flowers in season. Beyond the meadows, the trail is uneventful back to the trailhead, with the possible exception of crossing Leroy Creek in early season. Then a 3 mile road walk back to your vehicle greets you.

Camp at Larch Knob with the Spider Glacier in the background.

I was surprised not to see any bears on this trip. Buck Creek Pass was crawling with hunters, but in years past I have seen them around Image Lake and Suattle Pass. I also expected to see one or two around Lower Lyman Lake. But it was not to be.

I found my 24-70mm lens to be my only lens used on this trip. I carried my 17-40mm, but it never saw the light of day. I left the bigger glass at home, as I typically due on such extended trips. The weight isn't worth it.

I highly recommend this extended backpack! I would budget 6-7 days to really enjoy all it has to offer. I would not consider anything less than 4-5 days.
As always, thanks for visiting!

WTA Hike-a-Thon Winners

2011-09-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the winning photo entries for the Washington Trails Association's 2011 Hike-a-Thon! Their prize? A private day or weekend (to be determined) of photography on the trail with me!

I hope the winning contestents are looking forward to this as much as I am!

This should not to be confused with the WTA's 2011 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest, which I will be helping judge again next month. I hope you all got your entries in!

Washington Trails Magazine

2011-09-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, be sure and pick up a copy of the Sept - Oct issue of Washington Trails Magazine. It includes my article, "Finding Lost Pass" with accompanying photos. Lost Pass is located deep in the wilderness of Olympic National Park, and is a real treasure. You may view the online version of my article here.

Want to see more images from this fantastic location? Check out my Olympic Gallery!

Glacier Peak Wilderness Backpack

2011-09-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from an extended backpack in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades - 6 days total! The weather was excellent, the bugs were bad, the miles were long, and the photography was great! I met a lot of new people, and am excited to learn how the rest of their trips went. Lots to share soon!

Mount Rainier Gallery Updated!

2011-09-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Mount Rainier above flower meadows near Skyscraper Pass.

It seems funny to be excited about alpine wild flowers the first week of September, but that is exactly the case here in Washington! A late snow melt has delayed the emergence of wild flowers in most areas, testing the patience of many. The good news is that our patience is now being rewarded. If you haven't gotten out to see them yourself, I highly recommend you do so!

I recently updated my Rainier Gallery, adding many new images from my recent time spent at Mount Rainier National Park, including images from Sunset Park, Shriner Peak, Skyscraper Pass, Yakima Park, Reflection Lakes and more. Lot of flowers, meadows and sunrises! Check it out if you get the chance!

As I write this I am preparing for a week long backpack in the North Cascades, and hope to come back with many images and stories to share. Stay tuned! And enjoy this upcoming window of nice weather in the Pacific Northwest!

Flowers Finally Arrive at Mount Rainier National Park!

2011-08-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

Mount Rainier above flower meadows in Yakima Park at Sunrise.

Yes, it's true! Flowers are finally starting to make an appearance at Rainier, much to the pleasure of photographers who's patience has been tested with the late thaw of 2011.

Sunrise is particularly breathtaking right now, with flowers pretty much at peak. The same can be said of nearby Skyscraper Pass on the Wonderland Trail and Grand Park (bring your bug spray!).

On the south side of the mountain, flowers around Reflection Lakes are coming along nicely, and will probably peak in the coming week. Paradise and Mazama Ridge are still sporting much snow, though avalanche and glacier lilies were both on display last weekend, along with patches of western pasque near Myrtle Falls.

Mount Rainier above flower meadows near Skyscraper Pass.

Opinions vary on the flowers show at Paradise and when/if it will happen. Our warmest days are behind us. Late August and September bring cool nights, laying the groundwork for the emergence of fall colors. The last week of August was the popular prediction for flowers in the Paradise area. While gorgeous displays of lupine can be seen near the parking lot, they are a long way from emerging in the meadows above. I believe it will be the first week of September for the flowers to show.

My friend and fellow photographer Greg Vaughn recently spoke with Ron Warfield, retired Assistant Chief Naturalist at Mount Rainier National Park. Ron offered some interesting insights, including his opinion that flowers will not be as prolific this year. While I tend to agree, I can say that Sunrise surprised me with a very strong showing last week (go now!).

Mount Rainier above Reflection Lakes.

One of the downsides of such a late bloom for photographers is the grass, which has now grown tall enough to compete with the flowers. This was very noticeable at Sunrise.

If you are planning a visit to Rainier in the coming weeks, plan to arrive early to beat the crowds. I read reports of the park temporarily denying entrance last weekend due to reaching full capacity. Definitely plan ahead.

Have flower information on the park that you wish to share? I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to add a comment or send me a note.

See you on the trails!

Back from Mount Rainier National Park!

2011-08-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I've spent the last week at Mount Rainier National Park and surrounding area. I hiked a section of the Wonderland Trail from Sunrise to Carbon River with my kids. I explored Upper Palisades Lake (turning my ankle on the way in). On the south side of the mountain, I wandered the trails around Paradise and Reflection Lakes, and enjoyed a hike to the top of High Rock in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

I hope to post pictures soon!

Sunset Park and Golden Lakes, Mount Rainier National Park

2011-08-09T15:01:00.000-07:00

Mount Rainier reflected in a tarn in Sunset Park.

There is a reason that photographers from around the world are drawn to Mount Rainier National Park. For starters, it is easily accessed and offers some of the most superb flower meadows our state has to offer. It also serves up a heavily glaciered volcano as its center piece.

There is a side of the park that offers a little more solitude from the easily accessed areas of the park, though one must be willing to put in the extra effort to earn it.

Away from the bustle of Paradise, Longmire and Sunrise exists the fabled land - the west side. Emerald Ridge, St. Andrews Park, Klapatche Park and Sunset Park and Indian Henry's Hunting Ground (though Inidan Henry's can also be approached via Kautz Creek near Longmire) offer scenery unsurpassed in the park, with a fraction of the people. (with the Carbon River Road closure, this can now also be said of the north side)

Mount Rainier reflection in partially frozen tarn at Sunset Park.

Most of these locations are accessed via the West Side Road. Closed at Dry Creek, 3 miles from its start, the West Side Road requires hoofing it or bicycling further up to the trailhead of choice.

Because of the closure of the West Side Road, Golden Lakes and Sunset Park are now more easily accessed from the Paul Peak trailhead on the Mowich Lake Road. However, be warned; "more easily" does not translate to "easy"!

The trail descends 1,100' from the Paul Peak trailhead (or 2,400' from Mowich Lake - same trail distance) to the north and south forks of the Mowich River. This elevation must be regained on the way out. The south fork can be tricky if not impossible to cross in early season until the bridge is put in place.

Once across the south fork, it is a 2,400' climb in 4 miles to Golden Lakes in Sunset Park - 10 miles from the trailhead. Mosquitos can be nasty here in season. Bears are common.

Mount Rainier above Sunset Park.

From Golden Lakes, wander south along the Wonderland Trail around a ridge to open slopes of Sunset Park and numerous lakes. For the best views, find the abondoned trail to the former Sunset Lookout site (despite a ranger telling me it no longer existed, it very much existed. It may not be obvious at the junction with the Wonderland Trail, however. This section was under snow during my visit). Cross-country travel is easy here as well.

As the name would imply, evening and sunset are the very best time to visit here, offering brilliant light on the mountain as the sun sets to the west. (don't forget your headlamp for the return to camp).

Finish the evening off by beating it back to camp at Golden Lakes and watching the lights of Puget Sound grow ever brighter as dusk turns to dark.

Photographers will want wide angle and mid-zoom lenses here. A 2-stop graduated neutral density filter is also a must. The difficult part of photographing here is that the sun sets directly behind you durning the summer months, making it very challenging to keep your increasingly long shadow out of your composition.

I hope you get a chance to visit this wonderland.

Caution: If approaching from the Paul Peak trailhead, do not leave valuables in your car. Though quiet this year according to the rangers I spoke with, this trailhead has a history of vandalism and break-ins, thanks in part to its location at the edge of the park's boundary and close proximity to an ORV area. Some hikers elect to start from Mowich Lake - same distance travel, but ~1,300' more elevation gain on the way out.

For more pictures, please visit my Mount Rainier Gallery!

Shriner Peak in Mount Rainier National Park

2011-08-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Early light on Mount Rainier

Shriner Peak is located on the east side of Mount Rainier National Park and affords an excellent vantage of sunrise on the mountain. Because its approach is mostly on southern aspect slopes, it tends to melt out earlier than other high trails in the park.

An attractive feature of this peak is that it offers a small campground on its summit! That's right fellow photographers - no wandering in the dark with headlamp to capture sunrise, it's right in front of you!

Morning alpenglow on Mount Rainier

Another fun feature of camping on this summit is that it is the one location I have found in the park that offers a spectator's seat to both the Disappointment Cleaver (DC) and Emmons climbing routes. Awake around midnight and you can see a trail of lights beginning their ascent of both climbing routes!

You can leave your wide angle lens at home for this one. A better choice is 24-70mm and even 70-200mm. Don't forget opportunities for evening light on Mount Adams and the Goat Rocks to the south!

Early light on on Mount Rainier and Cowlitz Chimneys

I've offered detailed trip reports at both NWhikers and WTA. This is a hot, dry trail on a sunny day, so bring plenty of water. The only water source is 1 mile, and ~800' below the summit. Two campsights with a view await those willing to work for them!

For more images from Mount Rainier National Park, be sure and check out my Rainier gallery!

Prints for Sale!

2011-07-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Print of Mount Rainier and Reflection Lakes.

Prints of Mount Rainier have long been my most popular and best selling. And I realize, as I prepare this particular custom print for a client, that this has been my most popular of the bunch.

On this morning, I arrived at Paradise Meadows before sunrise, only to find the clouds as thick as pea soup. On a whim, I drove down to Reflection Lakes to take my chances. There were no views of the mountain, or anything else for that matter, for the longest time. Then all of a sudden, the clouds and fog parted to reveal our Pacific Northwest crown jewel, just moments before this image was taken.

All images on my web site are available as custom prints. Simply take note of the image number listed in red and click on "Purchase Print" for pricing. It's that simple!

Also, please check out our testimonials. We take great pride in our customer service and print quality. While you're visiting, you may even wish to check out our selection of note cards or my book, Mont Rainier.

Thanks for visiting!

Awesome! Brochure - Mount St. Helens

2011-07-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

2011 Awesome! brochure.

I was originally approached by Visit Mt. St. Helens for one of my published St. Helens images. After a face-to-face meeting and learning the scope of the project, I set up a light box that included many more images. One of the images was of my daughter on The Boundary Trail, a hike we did only last year.

My efforts were rewarded. Instead of a single image sale, it turned into a package deal - which included the image of my daughter hiking for the cover. Can you say proud dad? I also think it is a strong image in the layout used - very strong in fact; a child selling the attraction, and the composition well laid out (thanks Saskia!). Of course, I may be bias!

Many other images were included in the brochure (see my previous post).

If you get down to Mount St. Helens - and I strongly recommend that you do, pick up a copy of the brochure. It gives helpful information on lodging, recreation, attractions, tours, eating, and more!

I would like to personally thank the staff of Visit Mt. St. Helens for considering me for their brochure - a project to be proud of!

Interested in more? See my previous post for more images!

You can view many more images of Mount St. Helens in my Central Cascades Gallery.

As always, thank you for reading my blog!

Visit Mt. St. Helens!

2011-07-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

Awesome! brochure.

Next time you visit Mt. St. Helens, make sure you pick up a copy of the 2011 Awesome! brochure published by the Mount St. Helens Cowlitz County Tourism Bureau. It offers a wealth of information on recreation, lodging, tours, dining, etc. (also, check out their web site)

The brochure includes several of my images, starting with the cover photo of my daughter hiking along the Boundary Trail (pictured below). The inside cover, shown to the left, was taken last summer on Johnstone Ridge during the height of flower season.

Other images include:

Mount St. Helens at sunrise.

Mount St. Helens from Johnston Ridge.

Hiker and Mount St. Helens.

If you wish to view more of my images of Mount St. Helens, please check out my Central Cascades Gallery! Hope to see you on the trail!

Bears will be Bears!

2011-06-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I lifted the title from my son's Yosemite National Park t-shirt! It seemed appropriate. After all, 'tis bear season in the Pacific Northwest. Currently, bears are commonly being spotted along the Hoh River, Quinault River (duh!), Elwah River, Dosewalips River and Skokomish River in Olympic National Park (probably many more areas, too). They are also making their presence known in Mount Rainier National Park, especially around the White River CG.

I thought I would share some images from last weekend. These won't be up on my web site for some time, so you are part of the limited audience that will see them. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Conditions at Mount Rainier National Park

2011-06-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Black bear near White River CG.

I hiked up to Glacier Basin in Mount Rainier National Park on Saturday, and learned several things:

There is a LOT of snow up there yet, even in the White River campground. Patchy snow begins on the Glacier Basin Trail just past the Emmons Moraine Trail junction (1 mile) and becomes continuous around 5,200' (with some long stretches of solid snow before then).
Climbers are still finishing direct on the Emmons Glacier. No need to visit the Winthrop.
The Glacier Basin Trail has benefited from a lot of work since my last climb of the Emmons, in which we had to follow temporary flagging around/over/under fallen trees, through slide alder and brush, and often through the creek. It is a Cadillac of a trail now - thanks MRNP staff!
Bears are out! Numerous bears are present around the White River CG. I photographed two along the Glacier Basin trail, somehow missed a brown yearling wandering around the closed campground, and spent nearly an hour photographing a large bear roadside near the White River Road junction.

The park has just announced that they will be opening Sunrise on July 1st, just in time for the holiday weekend. However, they will be offering limited services as much is still buried up there. The Sunrise Day Lodge and gift shop will be open. The trails are covered in deep snow, so plan accordingly.

Paradise still has a large amount of snow as well - 14' as of 6/22. Check out the webcam.

No opening dates have been announced yet for the Mowich Lake Road or Paradise Valley Road. Did I mention that there is still a lot of snow up there?

Yosemite National Park in Spring

2011-06-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

Rainbow at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls.

I had planned this trip to Yosemite months in advance. I targeted my visit for the first week in April to coincide with spring break for my daughter, but also to hit the flower show at their peak. I spent a lot of time researching the area, referencing several different hiking and photography books, following Michael Frye's blog, (a personal favorite) and even exchanging some e-mails with Michael, who lives in the area.

I had my itinerary set long before leaving, and was excited to return to this fabulous park. What I didn't plan for was the crazy spring that mother nature had instore for us!

El Capitan reflected in snow melt pond.

Flowers? We arrived at Upper Pines Campground to 2' of snow on the ground, and found the campground hosts offering shovels to campers to dig out tent spots! This was going to be an interesting week indeed.

I spent my first evening checking out the views from Tunnel View. The scene was made interesting with ample snow and some low level clouds, but the light never really materialized. It would prove better during subsequent visits.

My first morning was spent at Sentinel Beach for sunrise. Snowshoes would have been helpful in the deep, soft snow. Fortunately the walk was fairly short. After photographing reflections of El Capitan in the Merced River, I found a small reflection pool in a side channel of the river, still mostly snow covered. I would not be able to get to this location a couple days later.

Evening light on Half Dome.

Half Dome was the focus of my evening jaunts, and even daytime scouting trips. It's such a spectacular and prominent feature of the valley that I found it hard to notice much else as the sun began to go down. There are many excellent locations to photograph Half Dome from in the valley.

The week spent in the valley was mostly sunny and warm and the snow melted fast. However, evenings still remained quite cold, with temps dipping below freezing. Our campground went into the shade early - around 3:30 or so, and became cold very fast. The family quickly learned that tagging along with me on my evening photography ventures, where the sun stayed out as late as 7:00, was a much better option than freezing in camp!

Upper Yosemite Falls

Upper Yosemite Falls is a head turner no matter where you are at in the valley it seems. There were numerous vantages to photograph the upper falls from. I photographed the falls mid-morning from Swinging Bridge and some nearby meadows. But I think my favorite location was actually from the side of the road near Curry Village. This vantage allows you to see more of the basin, which was still covered in snow during my visit.

Another excellent place to photograph the falls from is on trails from the opposite side of the valley. However, snow prevented access to these during our visit.

In late afternoon, Bridalveil Fall became the waterfall attraction of choice, photographed from a road pullout in the valley, the TH parking lot and lower trail to the fall, and my favorite - Tunnel View.

Cathedral Spires reflection.

Another morning favorite was a tarn alongside the road that perfectly captured the reflection of Cathedral Spires. I only spent one morning photographing here, but came away pretty happy with my results.

I found mid-morning to be the best time to photograph this reflection. I arrived at first light, but found the scene most captivating with the shadows gone and everything fully lit by the sun. I worked both horizontals and verticals with this scene - and liked them both.

Being alongside the road, I was never alone at any time here. However I did not experience any compositional conflicts with other photographers. It was an enjoyable morning to be out photographing in the valley, especially at such a serene setting. The water held its reflection the entire morning.

El Capitan reflected in Merced River.

I returned to Sentinel Beach to find conditions much different from my previous visit. Much snow had melted, making the gated road walk much easier. It also entirely changed the physical characteristics of the beach itself. The "snowmelt pond" that I had previously captured El Capitan's reflection in was now a deep channel of the river itself, and was not still at all. As a result, the river bar that I used to photograph reflections from was now inaccessible.

While I briefly had some company during my first visit to this beach (a couple I had actually met the evening prior at Tunnel View), I had it all to myself on my return visit. However, I had better clouds and reflection opportunities during my first visit - just another reason why it is so beneficial to visit the same location multiple times to increase your chances of success.

Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View at sunset.

Tunnel View was an interesting location to shoot from. I never shot from the viewpoint proper. Instead, I followed the recommendation of Michael Frye's book, "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite" (the definitive book on photographing Yosemite, in my opinion)and hiked a short ways up the trail to a prominent viewpoint. Though I climbed the described amount of elevation, I never located the abandoned road his book mentioned. However, I did still locate a viewpoint that I much preferred over that at the road.

I spent a few evenings at Tunnel View, and really only got decent light on my last visit. I scouted Tunnel View almost every evening, however. It was interesting to watch the crowds. On clear, sunny days, evening crowds would be small with rarely a single DSLR present. Throw some clouds in the afternoon sky and the heavy duty tripods would show up in force! It was very easy to distinguish the professionals from the amatures, and easy to predict simply by looking towards the sky!

Half Dome reflected in a tarn.

On my last evening I stumbled upon my favorite location to photograph Half Dome thus far. I pulled over to the roadside east of Yosemite Falls where I had seen numerous tripods set up each evening. I prefer to include interesting forefronts in my compositions, so this location hadn't really caught my interest previously. However, I didn't want to repeat locations on my last night; I wanted something new and different.

I set up my tripod roadside and pulled up a chair to wait for the special light to strike Half Dome's face, but was totally bored with the composition. I noticed a foot path nearby heading out into the meadow and decided to go for a walk. I found a nice reflection shot in a tarn with some interesting tufts of grass to put in the forefront. Bingo! I was in my happy place! Unfortunately, the dramatic light I hoped for never came as a system was moving in and a cloud bank to the west blocked the sun's final rays. So many things have to come together for that perfect image. While we photographers control some of these, many we do not.

A coyote hunts in the snow-covered meadows near Curry Village.

A new system was forecast to dump 12 - 18" of new snow in the valley the next day, potentially closing the roads accessing (and more importantly, exiting) the park. Temps were expected to dip into the low 20's. Not wanting to be trapped, we packed up that morning and began our long, indirect drive home. Even as we left, chains were required on both Highway 120 and 41. These roads were closed a short time later.

We were blessed with a special sighting along the way however - a coyote hunting and successfully catching its morning breakfast in the meadows near Curry Village. It was very fascinating to watch.

If you've liked the images appearing on this page, then you will be happy to know that you can view them and many more in my new Yosemite National Park gallery!

Some final comments about our visit:

Bicycles were an excellent way to get around in the valley. I did much of my scouting during the day on bike, riding the entire valley loop on multiple occasions. I highly recommend bringing them.

The shuttle buses offered an effective way to get around as well, but were much longer and restrictive. They were also quite full during mid-day and seats were at a premium. Understand they were still on their limited spring schedule during our visit. I still believe they serve an excellent purpose and recommend using them - we did!

I had hoped to catch up with my friend and former Mount Rainier climbing ranger, Mike Gauthier during my visit. Mike is now serving as Chief of Staff for Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately for us, he was back up in our home state of Washington enjoying some down time during this particular week - next time, Gator!

Kings Canyon National Park and John Muir Wilderness

2011-06-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

Mt. Agassiz and Palisades reflected in Dusy Basin.

The Eastern Sierras are one of my favorite playgrounds. I have returned multiple times to this wonderful area to enjoy what it has to offer - namely, rugged peaks and granite lake basins, with lots of off-trail exploration possibilities.

My first backpack in the John Muir Wilderness was over Piute Pass to a high lake in Humphreys Basin below Muriel Peak. A storm blew through that evening, and cleared out just at sunset for amazing light on the peaks and clouds. We were fortunate to stay dry, but did not get so lucky the following night.

On the same trip we spent a multi-day trip hiking over Kearsarge Pass to Kearsarge Lakes, then over Glen Pass to Rae Lakes. From Rae Lakes, we spent time exploring Sixty Lakes Basin. Bears were a problem in this area, though we didn't experience any problems personally. The scenery was fantastic, and I hope to return to Rae Lakes again.

Cloudripper Peak reflected in Sixth Lake at sunrise.

I returned to the Eastern Sierra on subsequent solo trips. From Lake Sabrina, I enjoyed a backpack to Blue Lake and on to Emerald Lake - located a short ways off trail. I had the lake all to myself, despite regular foot traffic on the main trail.

My trek up to Sixth Lake below the Palisades was also spent camping by myself, and included some memorable reflection shots taken at sunrise, including Cloudripper Peak as seen above.

Venturing once again to the Palisades, I backpacked over Bishop Pass to popular Dusy Basin. Again I found a secluded tarn off the beaten path, shared only with a lone coyote who sang to me throughout the evening. On this trip I also visited nearby Knapsack Pass and climbed Columbine Peak.

All these images and more can now be seen in my new Kings Canyon National Park and John Muir Wilderness Gallery. Please, enjoy!

Where's Don?

2011-06-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been several weeks since my last update. Typically, I am chomping at the bit to share the latest news and events going on with my photography. Lack of postings certainly does not mean things are slow - quite the contrary. I've been busy with submissions to various publications. It's tedious and even boring work at times, but has the potential for an exciting outcome, which makes it all worth while. I do hope to have news pertaining to some calendars and a tourist travel brochure to share soon.

"I need a cup holder"

Other things have been keeping me busy as well. Yep, that's a boot on my foot in the picture to the left. As some of you know, I fractured my ankle in early April while hiking in Redwood National Park. I would like be able to tell you how I was traveling off-trail on an extremely exposed and dangerous traverse when the accident occurred, but it was actually a simple hike with family. Takes the sexy right out of the story, huh?

Two miles from the trailhead, I rolled my ankle and heard a "pop". I knew instantly. I still had to walk the two remaining miles back to the car - not much fun.

Back home, x-rays confirmed an inversion fracture of the fibula in two places at the ankle joint. An inversion fracture is when the tendon, instead of stretching or tearing, pulls away chips of bone.

So, I was introduced to a walking boot for six weeks. Not so much fun. No more runs, bike rides, or even walking with the kids around the neighborhood. Instead, I got to sit around and rest my ankle and throw on a few pounds.

I've been out of the boot for a while now, and just finished with my physical therapy. I had an excellent physical therapist in Nicole Nelson, and highly recommend her to anyone in the Fairwood area.

I am now on a home exercise program thanks to Nicole, working hard to strengthen my ankle and prevent this injury from happening again. I have been biking for a few weeks and recently just started running again. I have a lot of work ahead of me to get back in the shape I was in before my injury. But it will happen!

Fill-in coaching the Fireballs.

I'm also the father of two very active kids. Our son Brendan is taking swim lessons at nearby Lindbergh Pool and is improving immensely with each lesson. Kids get to a point where they all of a sudden "get it" and their abilities take off. Brendan is getting it. Much like his sister did before him. It's fun to watch.

Equally fun is being heavily involved with our daughter Karissa's soccer team. She has only been playing since last fall, but is strong, competitive and fun to watch. I help out with each practice, have filled in as a substitute coach (thanks, Coach Aaron), and have unofficially served as team photographer.

Needless to say, I'm very proud of my kids and excited to be a part of their activities and watch them grow and excel in them. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

So there you have it, some behind the scenes so to speak of my life outside of photography, hiking and climbing.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programing...

Mount St. Helens - Norway Pass and Mount Margaret Backcountry Area

2011-05-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Mount St. Helens from Norway Pass.

Mount St. Helens offers excellent hiking with worthy destinations all around the mountain. One of my favorite areas is the Mount Margaret Backcountry area near Windy Ridge. The area provides classic views across Spirit Lake to St. Helens.

Bear Camp offers excellent camping, and is situated close enough to Mount Margaret to serve as a base camp for a hike to this magnificent summit. Watch for elk herds in the area!

One of the highlights early in the hike is Norway Pass. A great wildflower area, this pass affords excellent views down to Spirit Lake and Mount St. Helens.

The image above is not my favorite image from the area - not even in the top 5. But it has been popular for publications. It has appeared in a couple different wall calendars (one multiple times), and is currently the image for the month of May in Smith-Western's Mountains of Washington wall calendar. It will also be appearing in the June issue of a national magazine publication.

I hope to have more Mount St. Helens news to share very soon - stay tuned! In the meantime, you can view more images from this monument at in my Central/South Cascades gallery.

As always, thanks for visiting!

Photographing the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park

2011-05-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

Sliding rock at southern end of The Racetrack

The Racetrack is probably the most intriguing feature in Death Valley National Park, involving sliding rocks on the barren playa. You've surely seen the pictures. They are very recognizable as the rocks leave a long trail behind.

Located between the Cottonwood Mountains to the east and the Nelson Range to the west, the Racetrack is exceptionally flat and level (only 1.5" height difference between its southern and northern end). It's dry for almost the entire the year. But when heavy rains do arrive, water rushes down these mountains onto the playa, forming a shallow lake. It's short-lived as the hot desert sun quickly evaporates the water, leaving a surface of soft, slick mud.

Sailing stones on north end of playa.

The sliding rocks, or "sailing stones", slowly move across the slick surface of the playa with the aid of strong winter winds, leaving a track behind them. This phenomenon has never been witnessed or filmed, likely because the remote playa is not approachable under such conditions.

These stones only move once every 2 to 3 years, and their tracks last 3 to 4 years. Stones with rough bottoms tend to leave straight tracks, while smooth-bottomed stones wander.

Interesting, huh? Most photographers think so!

There is a challenge to visiting this playa, however. It is very remote, accessed via a very rough 28 mile road. The Racetrack Road is best suited for high-clearance vehicles. Flat tires are a common occurrence. The road can be heavily washboarded, rattling suspensions, and must be driven slowly. I would budget at least 3 hours for this drive. Storms and flash floods can make the road undrivable.

Teakettle Junction.

The Racetrack Road is an interesting and scenic drive. Flowers can line the early stretches of road in spring. At about 9 miles in, the road passes through a Joshua tree forest with many photographic opportunities. Legendary Teakettle Junction is reached 10 miles further. Past Teakettle Junction was the roughest stretch of road during my visit - 9 miles of extremely washboarded road to the Racetrack. These poor conditions continue to Homestead Dry Camp, in case that is your destination.

Excellent photography can be had in both morning and evening at the Racetrack. Morning is considered the better light, but I achieved my best images while scouting the evening before. The southern end of the playa tends to have the most rocks, while the north end sports The Grandstand, which makes a fun compositional backdrop if rocks are present. There were no rocks near The Grandstand during my visit, to the shock of several photographers who had just visited the year prior.

Sliding rocks on the Racetrack.

Morning light happens fast here, so definitely spend time scouting the playa the day before for the best rocks and tracks. You will also find that the rocks come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes can be photographed in pairs.

Enjoy your visit and travel safely!

This is my last installment on photographing in Death Valley National Park. I hope you've enjoyed my recommendations and tips, and that I have inspired you to visit this wonderful place yourself. If you would like to see more images, please check out my Death Valley gallery.

Thanks for reading. And as always, feel free to send me a note with any questions you may have that I have not answered here.

National Geographic Geotourism Map

2011-05-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

Recently I was preparing tear sheets for some upcoming mailings and I was reminded of this cover image for a National Geographic geotourism map.

The geotourism map series promotes tourist spending in a way that puts their money back into the local economy and helps to sustain and support the community. An example would be to eat at locally owned and operated eateries instead of chain food restaurants.

This image was taken at Spray Park in Mount Rainier National Park in early summer. The white flowers are avalanche lilies, one of the first flowers to bloom after the winter snow melt. I would typically target mid-July for such an image, but it will be much later this year due to the high volume of snow in our mountains.

This image also appears in my book Mount Rainier.

Photographing Fall Canyon in Death Valley National Park

2011-05-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hiking Fall Canyon.

Fall Canyon is located just north of Titus Canyon (a highly recommended drive!). It is one of the most spectacular canyons in Death Valley National Park.

The trail starts from the parking lot at the base of Titus Canyon, where the road is gated for one-way traffic coming the other way. The trail leaves to the north and traverses to the wide fan of Fall Canyon, with excellent views down to the valley below along Scotty's Castle Road.

From its mouth, Fall Canyon is a deep gorge with amazing walls. The canyon gets deeper and the walls more and more impressive the further into the mountain you go.

At several places within the first 3 miles, the wash squeezes through impressive narrows that force one to crane their necks to the walls above. The canyon walls climb vertically for hundreds of feet, and are topped by even higher walls. Vertical compositions work well at these spots. I also recommend a warming filter.

Hiking Fall Canyon in Death Valley
National Park.

The walls are colorful, and include shades of blue, tan, dark brown and red. As the sun's angle changes throughout the day, so do the vibrant shades of the rock. The reds grow deeper in the evening as the sun sets, turning flaming red for the final show.

At about 2.5 miles, the canyon is blocked by an 18 foot fall that poses a considerable challenge to the best of rock climbers. This is a very scenic spot for photography of the steep walls and seemingly insurmountable fall. Seemingly? Yes, there is an easy way around. Simply backtrack about 300 feet to find a path climbing upward to the south. It climbs steeply up a chimney to the south, then mellows out as it climbs a ledge over a high spot and descends down to above the fall.

The next third of a mile contains the tightest narrows of the canyon, and are very photogenic. The deep, dark, polished rock through this windy passage is extremely scenic, and the best part of hike!

I recommend focusing on vertical compositions to capture the feel of the towering walls above. I believe that adding a subject matter for purpose of scale also works well. Abstract patterns in the rock can also be played with. Normal and wide-range lenses work well here.

At a quarter mile above the first fall, the canyon opens up until mid-canyon is reached in about 3.5 miles. I did not venture up to mid-canyon, but have friends that thoroughly enjoyed it as a backpack (and continued further). The lower canyon makes for an excellent half day excursion with endless photography opportunities. Which ever way you choose to enjoy this area, do just that - enjoy!

If you wish to view more images from this area, feel free to visit my Death Valley gallery.

May/June Issue of Washington Trails Magazine

2011-04-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

May/June Washington Trails Magazine

Washington Trails Association (WTA) originally started out as Signpost magazine in 1966. They have created Washington's largest volunteer trail maintenance program, and work actively to protect our trails and wilderness. If you're not familiar with them, I strongly encourage you to visit their web site. They offer a wealth of information for hikers, including current trail and road conditions, current issues affecting our trails and wilderness, information on volunteer programs, magazine subscription, and more.

I've been involved with WTA for many years. My "Early Light on Prusik Peak" image won First Place in Landscape in their 2006 Pacific Northwest Photo Contest. Since then, I've contributed images to their magazine and web site, and served as a panel judge for their annual photo contest.

The new May/June Washington Trails magazine includes one of my images of Mount Rainier on its cover. This image was taken just last summer from Spray Park in the evening hours as light softened on the mountain. It was a beautiful evening to be in the mountains.

More of my images appear within the magazine. They include an image of the Quinault River taken from Pony Bridge (Olympic NP), and also a couple that accompany an article penned by Eli Boschetti, offering suggestions for backpacking in Mount Rainier National Park.

If interested, you may view more images in my Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park galleries.

As always, thanks for visiting!

Photographing Devil's Cornfield in Death Valley National Park

2011-04-22T07:02:00.000-07:00

Arrowweed at Devil's Cornfield

What trip to Death Valley National Park is complete without photographing a weed patch? As funny as that sounds, arrowweed is a fantastic subject matter in the evening hours, catching the sun's soft rays as sunset approaches and turning a brilliant gold while casting its soft blue shadows.

Devil's Cornfield is located along CA190, about half a mile west of the Scotty Castle Road junction. Parking is limited to pullouts alongside the road. Though arrowweed is present on both sides of the road, the larger, more interesting stacks are located on the north side of the road, bordering the Mesquite Flat Dunes.

The area is certainly interesting, and offers much wandering and exploring for the "perfect" stack or line of stacks. Erosion has played a key part in shaping the soil, exposing the roots and shaping the stacks of the arroweed. Despite this intrusion, the plants thrive thanks to the underground waters of Salt Creek. Coyotes and other wildlife can be seen the area.

Devil's Cornfield and Kit Fox Hills

As evening light arrives, the arrowweed stacks turn golden and the Kit Fox Hills to the east create a superbly scenic backdrop. The light on the arrowweed is quick-lived - it changes fast. Before you know it, they are in the shadows and you find yourself with a smile on your face, having witnessed another fantastic moment in Death Valley, and hopefully having captured the moment.

I arrived to this location with low expectations. I left thoroughly impressed. Don't overlook this gem!

Normal to wide-angle lenses best serve this area. Be sure to bring a polarizer and GND filters if planning to include the Kit Fox Hills in any of your compositions.

More images from this area can be viewed in my Death Valley National Park gallery.

Photographing Mesquite Flat Dunes in Death Valley National Park

2011-04-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

Mesquite Flat Dunes at sunrise.

The Mesquite Flat Dunes are often referred to as Stovepipe Wells Dunes due to their close proximity to the town. They are located about 2.2 miles east of Stovepipe Wells, to the north of CA 190.

The dunes are a popular draw to hikers, photographers, sand dune surfers, and more. As a result, the dunes can get tracked up in a hurry, much to the frustration of photographers.

Though evening can provide excellent photography result with colorful skies to the north, sunrise is the ideal time to photograph the dunes. The biggest reason for this is simply the tracks in the sand. As the dunes are very popular during the day, evening finds the area victim to the evidence of all these visitors. If you are lucky, overnight winds will erase such evidence, allowing you a fresh start in the early hours.

Sand ripples at Mesquite Flat Dunes

Clear skies at sunrise offer numerous photographic opportunities. Early light turns the dunes golden, and ripple patterns in the sand are highlighted with shadow definition. Light is best 15 to 30 minutes after sunrise.

As the sun rises shadows become more pronounced and one can play with negative space between the dunes and line patterns.

I recommend finding an area not recently visited by others, and looking for a prominent spot with lots of texture and offering views of higher, more prominent dunes for you subject matter. This will give you lots of options and you will be surprised at how quickly time flies!

As the sun rises higher in the morning sky, you can wander down into the depressions and find other interesting compositions. Rock "tile" and mesquite trees and offer additional elements to play with. They can be an additional element to your composition, offer isolation opportunities, or in the case of the rock "tile", offer very fun abstract possibilities!

Mesquite Flat Dunes in spring.

In contrast to clear mornings, overcast light flattens out the dunes and will diminish the contrast that defines shapes, texture and patterns.

Be sure and keep your eyes open for critters and animal tracks. Sidewinder, deer and coyote tracks can be fun to encounter and offer interesting photo ops. Lizards are also a common sight.

All lenses should be made available during your visit to the dunes. Normal range and wide angle lenses will allow you to play with the ripple patterns in the sand and add depth to your composition. Zoom lenses will allow you to isolate distant dunes and work around tracked up sand. They will also allow you to play with shadows and negative space.

I recommend taking an evening walk to scout the area you wish to photograph, then return in the morning to shoot. Again, cross your fingers for overnight winds to erase the previous days tracks. When planning your visit to the dunes, try to time it after a windy day or night, or even during a windy morning (make sure to protect your camera). My visits were during calm conditions and I found the amount of tracks to be extremely frustrating.

Return from Yosemite and Redwood National Park!

2011-04-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from Yosemite and Redwood National Park, and hope to have some images to share soon from this fun trip! I will also resume my posts on photographing Death Valley National Park. So much to do!

As always, thanks for your interest and I hope you will find the information I share to be informative and insightful.

Photographing Badwater in Death Valley National Park

2011-04-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Badwater salt polygons and
Black Mountains

Badwater is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and a popular draw for most people visiting Death Valley National Park. The salt polygons are a curiosity draw, offering a unique viewing experience and a chance to walk amongst a different landscape than most are accustomed to. Oh heck, they are cool!

Don't expect to be alone here in the evenings, but seek solace in the fact that the any crowds are easy to leave behind. How? By simply walking further out into the salt pan. The further you walk, the better the polygons become as you leave the wandering foot prints behind. By the way, evening light is fairly forgiving towards light footprints.

Most likely you will encounter other photographers along your walk, and it is fun to set your tripod up near one for some pleasant conversation and story sharing. Since you will be shooting either north or south and the foot path is east-west, it's pretty difficult to be in each others way.

Sunset over Badwater salt polygons

Definitely consider the effects of the salt on your camera gear and clothes. They are very real and corrosive. Refrain from letting any of your camera gear come in direct contact with the salt, and be certain to clean your tripod feet and legs immediately after your shoot. Knee pads and/or a small sitting cloth is also recommended so that you don't have to kneel or sit directly on the salt.

The salt polygons are excellent to photograph in mornings or evenings. Evenings offer afternoon light on the Black Mountains to the east. Mornings offer brilliant light on Telescope Peak and the Panimint Range.

Early light on the Panimint Range above
uplifted salt crusts near Badwater.

Arriving in late afternoon, you will likely find many tourists near the parking lot and for the first 1/4 mile or so of the walk out on the salt pan. Beyond, the numbers will dwindle. As sunset approaches, they will mostly disappear and you will find only a handful of other photographers around.

Early mornings will also find you with limited company.

Just a 1/4 mile south of the Badwater parking lot the road rounds a Sharp bend and offers a wide shoulder for parking. A short walk leads the curious photographer to some very interesting uplifted salt crusts. I found these extremely photogenic with lots of compositional options incorporating the Panimint Range and Telescope Peak.

I spent two mornings here (alone), and two evenings at Badwater. I found this arrangement to work out well. I definitely recommend visiting this area multiple times during your visit. Another location, referred to as "devils fortune cookies" is located only a short distance further south (not obvious from the road, so you will need to scout).

Early light on Telescope Peak and the Panimint Range above
uplifted salt crusts near Badwater.

Normal range and wide-angle lenses are excellent for this area. Consider graduated neutral density filters a must, and a warming filter a friendly addition.

Badwater is located 18 miles south of Furnace Creek along CA 190. Allow yourself extra time for the walk out along the salt polygons or to scout the uplifted salt crusts. Most importantly, enjoy!

More images may be viewed in my Death Valley Gallery if interested.

In closing, I must qualify all the information you just read above. During the winter of 2010/2011, floods apparently dissolved much of the polygons and salt crusts. My friend Jon Cornforth visited the area this spring and reported them to be gone, and that their return is expected to take a few years. I would encourage you to contact the park directly for specific information if planning a visit.

I will be leaving for Yosemite National Park and Redwood National Park shortly. I will continue my Death Valley posts upon my return, and hopefully have new images from my trip to share!

Photographing Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley National Park

2011-03-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

Evening clouds over Devil's Golf Course.

The Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley National Park is one of my favorite photography destinations in the park. The area is just so interesting and different than anything I have previously experienced. It's as if you've stepped onto another planet.

This magnificent place is accessed from the Badwater Road, 13 miles south from Furnace Creek. The area closest to the parking lot is not very attractive, having been trampled by many feet. But wander out a short ways and this will all change. The rounded salt crystal mounds will turn to sharp, serrated formations that are much more interesting.

Be warned: the salt crystals are very sharp and abrasive. Sturdy boots, gloves and knee pads are highly recommended.

I was surprised at how little traffic Devil's Golf Course received during my visits. It gets no where near the traffic that Badwater receives. I found most visitors to be car tourists who quickly read the information signs, took in the immediate surrounding of the heavily abused area near the parking lot, then sped off to their next destination. Very few remained longer than 10 minutes.

I spent a couple of evenings photographing this area, and found myself all alone at sunset both times. During my second evening another photographer did show up and explore areas close to the parking lot. After appearing frustrated, he packed up and drove off just before the prime light appeared!

Sunset over Devil's Golf Course.

Devil's Golf Course is a great location for wide angle and normal range lenses. Getting low with your tripod can be a little challenging, both in the positioning of your tripod legs and being able to get low enough to compose your shot through the view finder. Don't expect to be comfortable! But do expect the rewards to be worth it.

A telephoto lens would be useful to play with the patterns, though I did not do this. Do you get the feel that there is just so much potential here?

Graduated neutral density filters should be considered mandatory. I would also consider a warming filter if you don't have access to this during post-processing.

I found evening to be the best time to photograph here, though mornings could still be rewarding as well. Though the southern sky is typically considered the most rewarding for pinks and interesting colors, both images appearing here are actually of the northern sky. Also, watch the Black Mountains at sunset and the Panimint Range at sunrise as these respective mountain ranges catch the suns special light.

I highly recommend making Devil's Golf Course part of your itinerary during your next Death Valley National Park visit.

2011 Washington State Visitors' Guide

2011-03-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Good friends Alan Bauer and Kim Brown
on Steamboat Rock.

I have an image appearing in the upcoming 2011 Washington State Visitors' Guide. I was excited at the publisher's selection, because it includes two of my good personal friends, fellow photographer Alan Bauer and one of my favorite writers, Kim Brown.

This image is from the first trip that Alan and I did together, and was full of fun memories. One of those memories was unexpectedly meeting Kim at the trailhead, and her joining us on our trek up Steamboat Rock. This was also the trip I first met another friend, Karen Sykes - who reviewed my book Mount Rainier for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Did I mention how fun this trip was?

Oh, but it get's even more interesting!

2011 Washington State Visitors'
Guide

Unbeknownst to me when agreeing to submit this image, it would accompany an article written by another friend and accomplished writer, Craig Romano - a mutual friend to all of us!

If you get a chance, check out the free online version.

Here's to more future trips and projects together!

Death Valley National Park Gallery

2011-03-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Early light on Manly Beacon from Zabriske Point

I've just gone live with my new Death Valley National Park gallery! This gallery is comprised of images from a trip I did almost exactly one year ago, and includes images from Zabriske Point, Dante's View, Badwater Salt Pan, Devil's Golf Course, Mormon Point, Ashford Mill, Artist's Point, Golden Canyon, Furnace Creek, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Stovepipe Wells, Devil's Cornfield, Fall Canyon, The Racetrack, and more.

Puting this gallery together brought back a lot of memories for me, and I hope you find an image or two that touch you or maybe kindle your desire to visit this wonderful national park yourself.

Sliding rock at The Racetrack

I'll resume revisiting the photography aspect of each destination I visited within the park in my next posts. If you missed them, you may view my previous posts of Artist's Palette and Zabriske Point.

I wish to take the time to say Thank You once again for your interest in my photography and endeavers. As always, I am happy to answer your questions - either about photography or helping plan your own visit to any of the wonderful places I share on these pages.

Spring Appearances Cancelled

2011-03-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

Just a note: I've elected to cancel my scheduled spring appearances in order to focus on some business projects. I will surely have shows to announce later in the year - stay tuned. Thank you for your understanding.

Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches - Olympic National Park

2011-03-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

Point of the Arches at the south end of Shi Shi Beach

Winter isn't the time that most people think of visiting the coast. After all, there's snow in the mountains and plenty of skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing to do. However, winter does offer some advantages (including having all those people in the mountains skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing!). The sun is further to the south in the winter months, offering softer light for a larger part of the day, and low and high tides tend to be more extreme. With this knowledge in hand, a photographer can employ much creativity while exploring options not necessarily available to visitors later in the season.

Sunset at Point of the Arches

Of course, there are some downsides to visiting in winter as well, starting with temperatures. My visit took place with snow in the forecast and temps in the 20's. For Shi Shi in particular, this made the approach interesting with an icy boardwalk section and an icy crossing of Petroleum Creek. Couple cold temps with the moisture present in the air, and it is very easy to get chilled to your core. I strongly recommend a layer system and several extra pairs of socks.

As for camping, make sure you set your campsite in the trees. While camping on the beach can be an attractive option in the summer, I can tell you firsthand that not much, if any, of the beach is safe in winter. High tide can make much of the beach impassable in the winter months.

Sunset at Point of the Arches

From a photography standpoint, if you have visited Shi Shi in the spring, summer or fall, you may have some adjusting to do when planning your compositions. Did I mention that the sun sets much further to the south? Much further than I anticipated I will admit. Still, as long as you plan for this, there can be rewards.

The tidal pools around Point of the Arches are some of the best I have seen on the Washington coast. Though they can be enjoyed in all seasons, the extreme low tides of winter make even more of them accessible and allow for further exploration. But don't spend all of your time looking down. Bald Eagles can be regularly seen flying overhead and even perching in the trees above the arches themselves. Sea otters are also a common and fun sight.

Point of the Arches at dawn.

Campsights near the Point of the Arches can be ideal for quick and easy access. Camps around Petroleum Creek afford a nice composition of having the winter sun set behind the sea stacks, with its light seen through two separate arches.

Raccoons must be reckoned with. I've never experienced them in previous visits, but they were certainly present during my last visit. Though I had a visitor at my camp near the point, they seemed concentrated around the campsites at the very north end (beginning) of Shi Shi Beach. Remember that a hard food container is required (see the Olympic National Park web site).

For lenses, I found my 24-70mm most useful for landscape, and 70-200mm with 2x extender for tidal pools and wildlife. Though I brought my 17-40mm, it never saw the light of the day on this visit. Graduated neuatral density filters and polarizers are also important.

I hope you get a chance to visit our coast during its "off season". I think you will enjoy it.

If you are interested in further viewing, I have other images from this area as well as Rialto Beach, Hole in the Wall, Ruby Beach, Strawberry Point, Toleak Point, Cape Alava and more in my Washington Coast gallery.

2011 Greater Seattle InfoGuide

2011-02-21T11:32:00.000-08:00

I've worked with Vernon Publications for many years now, and have contributed images to several of their publications. Recently, I was proud to learn that one of my images had made the cover of their 2011 Greater Seattle InfoGuide. The image was taken only a couple months ago from Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill - my first visit to this park. I also have several images appearing within its pages, including an image of Qwest Field at sunrise taken from Dr. Jose Rizal Park on Capital Hill, an image of the city skyline from Hamilton Park in West Seattle, and an image of Point of the Arches at Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park.

The InfoGuide is a great publication to pick up if you are looking for things to get out and do, and is available at most hotels and tourist destinations around the greater Puget Sound area.

Photographing Yellowstone National Park

2011-02-16T19:46:00.000-08:00

Canary Spring

Yellowstone National Park is an amazing place for photography. There is so much variety available that something is bound to capture the interest of most shutterbugs. The park has very distinct features, offering geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, terraces and mud pots. Each of these features require a slightly different approach with the camera.

Castle Geyser and rainbow.

One thing to keep in mind as you visit the hot pools and geysers of the park is that hot water in cold air creates steam. For this reason early morning isn't the best time to photograph the pools or geysers. Steam can make the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs quite interesting, however (still, you may wish to return later in the morning once the sun has warmed things up).

Morning is a great time to photograph wildlife throughout the park, reflections in the Firehole River and around Fountain Flat, and of course both Upper Falls and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.

Lower Falls and rainbow.

Rainbows can be a regular occurance at both Lower Falls and Upper Falls during morning hours. Timing depends on weather (clear skies) and season. Plan on between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Vantages that should be on your radar include Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Upper Falls Viewpoint and Artist Point. These are all spectacular!

To my disappointment, Tower Falls was not available during my visit. Nor was Gibbons Falls - both due to construction.

Rustic Falls, north of Mammoth Hot Springs, is quite nice. But it is north facing so the sun never hits all of it. It is best photographed on a cloudy day for even light.

Another waterfall worth checking out is Undine Falls, in the north section of the park. This might be a better autumn picture.

Crested Pool

Mid to late morning and late afternoon and evening is the best time to photograph the geyser basins. Light is kind to you and the temperatures are warm enough that steam will not hinder your photos. The colors surrounding the pools change with the light. My personal favorites were Grand Prismatic Spring, Crested Pool, Chromatic Spring and Emerald Pool.

Sunny days are best for geysers. Mostly blue skies allow for contrast and definition of the eruption. Overcast days cause the plumes of water to blend against the cloudy sky and detail is lost.

Old Faithful

Angle is another important element, and the one that I believe most people underestimate. When shooting the geysers, take into consideration the direction of the wind and location of the sun.
Obviously, you don't want to be shooting in the direction of the sun. Likewise, you don't want to be down wind of the erupting geyser! Understanding the direction the geyser will erupt will allow you to plan your composition, rather than be reacting to the elements.

Know the estimated schedule for each geyser's eruption ahead of time. This will put you in the best possible position to succeed. Schedules are available as handouts at the visitor center, posted at most of the geysers, and available on the park's web site.

One last word on the geysers is to study interesting forefronts that will add uniqueness to your composition and make your image stand out.

White Dome Geyser at sunset

Sunset can also be a fun time to shoot the geysers. Again, knowing their schedule is important. Here, White Dome Geyser was scheduled to erupt shortly before sunset. However, it was an hour late and its eruption timed perfectly with the evening light, allowing the setting sun to turn its plume pink!

I hope you have enjoyed these basic hints for photographing Yellowstone National Park. Feel free to contact me with your questions if planning a visit of your own. I am always happy to help!

Many more images are available for viewing in my Yellowstone gallery.

Visiting the Oak Creek Wildlife Area

2011-02-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

A bull Rocky Mountain elk stands watch.

The Oak Creek Wildlife Area encompasses 47,200 acres in Yakima County, just outside the town of Naches, Washington (15 miles west of Yakima). It's a winter viewing and feeding area for both Rocky Mountain elk and California big horn sheep, and was established to resolve the conflict between these animals in search of winter food and private land owners, orchard growers, and livestock producers.

Rocky Mountain elk issues a challenge to nearby bull elk.

The California big horn sheep feeding area is located just off Highway 12 at the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 410, just west of Naches. Feeding time is around 10:00 am, so arriving around 9:00 am is recommended. As with the elk, the animals become playful and frisky as meal time nears, and this is the best time to view and photograph their behavior. The males in particular like to display dominance, and are often challenged when they do so!

Rocky Mountain elk playfully spar.

Cold spells are the best time to view these animals. The colder, the better. Nice, sunny days with temperatures in the 10's or low 20's is ideal. If the weather has experienced a recent warm trend, it can mean food available up high and only limited numbers will descend to the feeding area - usually only females. Or, in the case of my most recent visit, they won't show up at all.

Rocky Mountain elk stand alert.

The main elk feeding station at park headquarters is located just a short distance up Highway 12 from the intersection with 410. There are other feeding areas, including at the intersection (easily missed if not observant), but the feeding station at park headquarters is the only one to offer a formal parking lot, visitors' center and guided tours.

A Rocky Mountain elk anticipates feeding time.

The elk begin congregating early here, even though feeding time typically isn't until 1:30 pm. The descend from the surrounding hills much like the sheep, and lounge in the large field - slowly migrating towards the feed barn as the morning wears on.

I recommend arriving here around 10:30, right after the feeding of the big horn sheep (once they are fed there isn't much reason to stick around). The first tour truck departs at 11:00 am. They then run every hour, or half hour depending on the demand. Sign-ups are in the visitors' center and can fill up fast. You can also call ahead and reserve your group's spot on the trucks. Information is available at their web site, as well as information and directions to other viewing spots within the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

Guided tour at Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

The tour trucks each hold a little over a dozen people. They drive out into the middle of the herd and park for 15-20 minutes, engine off. At this point people can move around freely on the truck for optimum viewing. I highly recommend the tour as a means to get closer to the animals and to be able to photograph them in a more natural setting (vs. having fences and barns in your background). The tour guides are always very informative too, and I have learned something new on each visit. Though the tours are free, please don't forget to offer your donation. It's your money that keeps this program going.

Oak Creek feed truck prepares for food drop.

The starting up of the loud diesel feed truck is like a dinner bell to the elk, and "cheaters" will approach the truck as the workers prepare their load. The bundles of hay are dropped via a conveyor belt as the truck drives slowly across the field. It is fun to watch the elk follow the truck across the field in anticipation of the next drop!

This is a winter feeding program only, and numbers of animals can vary from year to year depending on the harshness of winter. Numbers were way down this year during my visit, sporting only 670 elk vs. the 1,000+ I have seen other years. However, this decrease actually made it easier to photograph them, offering easier isolation of the animals.

A feed truck makes it's way through the herd at Oak Creek.

January and February are the best months to view these animals. December is too early due to its closeness to hunting season; the animals are still quite nervous and stressed. It is not uncommon to see maimed animals. A three-legged cow has been present the past four years. Unable to run or even walk fast, I'm amazed at her resiliency.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area is a place you want to visit and take the family. I return each year with my kids in tow, and they absolutely love it. Try it - you'll be hooked!

Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park

2011-02-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

Mormon Row is located just off Antelope Flats Road, and consists of four abandoned old barns. The barns serve as excellent foreground material when photographing the Cathedral Group of the Tetons, which consists of Grand Teton, Owens and Teewinott.

Spring is actually considered to be the best time to photograph these barns. The mountains still have interesting patches of snow on them, and the side lighting is stronger for better detail. Autumn sees much flatter light at sunrise.

Of course, my visit took place during autumn, so I had to deal with the hand I was dealt. I still enjoyed photographing from this location - enough so that I returned for sunrise after shooting in late-morning the previous day. The barn up top is probably the most photogenic of all the barns, and makes a great sunrise to mid-morning subject.

I found mid to late morning to also be quite interesting, and for more than just the barns. There are also numerous fences, gates and corrals available to frame the Cathedral Group with.

One can easily spend a full morning at Mormon Row, and still have reason to come back. Maybe you will photograph the barns on the north side of Antelope Flats Road one day, and the ones to the south on another day. Or maybe you will simply return with fresh ideas to try after reviewing your initial images. However way you choose to explore this historic area of Grand Teton National Park, enjoy!

I have recently completed my new Grand Teton National Park gallery, and have made it available for viewing. It includes my visits to Schwabacher Landing, Oxbow Bend, Triangle X Ranch, Mormon Row, and many places in between!

Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park

2011-02-02T13:16:00.001-08:00

Oxbow Bend is considered to be one of the prime photographic destinations within Grand Teton National Park. Located just 3 miles inside the entrance, it's still waters can offer a beautiful reflection of Mount Moran and surrounding peaks, and can be the scene of dramatic sunsets should clouds be present in the evening.

This body of water was formerly a portion of the Snake River that has been bypassed and has formed a lake. The results are very pleasing to the eye and attract photographers and tourists alike!

Photographers would do well to arrive early for sunrise. After my experience at Schwabacher Landing the day prior, I made certain to arrive at Oxbow Bend 1-1/2 hours before sunrise. I was alone much of this time! I would still recommend an hour early (as I would with any sunrise). The great thing about Oxbow Bend is that it offers a very large area for photography, unlike Schwabacker Landing. Photographers can set up in the parking lot or along the 1/4 mile of road to the west. Personally, I recommend staying close to the parking lot. I also found my best shots to be from mid to late morning. Early morning light in autumn is very flat here.

Plan on spending much of the morning here as there is a lot to do! After first light on Mount Moran, you'll have some dead time until the foreground begins to light up. As the morning moves on, I recommend moving further up the road.

There are many other posibilities as well. Above the road to the north is a trail that is frequented by horseback riders. Wandering along and near this trail offers all kinds of compositions not available from the road.

If your lucky, you might even come across a guided horse tour as I did. I created several compositions of the group of riders, but really like the isolation of this lone rider.

There are many other wanderings available in the area as well. Don't be in a rush to get back to camp!

When you are done, don't miss driving 1 mile further up the road to Jackson Lake Junction and visiting the viewpoint. While it doesn't offer much for photography, it's a pretty incredible panorama.

Next up: Mormon Row!

Buck-and-Rail Fences in Grand Teton National Park

2011-01-31T16:53:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of history still present within Grand Teton National Park. Heck, this was cowboy country and the tradition is still carried on for commercial purposes within the park's boundaries.

Part of the photogenic history within the park can be captured by incorporating the ever-present buck and rail fences into your composition. These fences can be found in several locations, but are most abundant along Highway 191. Here the fences line the west side of the highway and make excellent forefronts for the majestic Teton Range towering above.

One of the best locations is near the Triangle X Ranch turnoff, where the fence descends into a gully and back up the other side. This adds for some intriguing and attractive diagonal elements to your composition of the Cathedral Group.

There are many other scenic locations along this highway to include the fences in your composition as well, including a spot just before reaching the Cunningham Cabin turnoff. Here, several groves of aspen add attractive color in autumn. There are many cottonwoods that also grace the west side of the highway.

Granted, I haven't visited this area in the spring, but I found autumn to be my personal favorite season for photographing this area with the dried brown grasses and yellow color in the shrubs and trees. OK, so autumn is probably my favorite time to photograph the park in general!

Mid to late morning serves as the best light for photographing this area as the light can be quite flat in early morning. Also, keep a watch out for horseback riders, which can add a new element to your composition. With all the ranches nearby, trail riding in guided tours is quite popular, and offers an historic story to your images.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy this magnificent area sometime soon. It really is a special treat.

Snake River Overlook - Grand Teton National Park

2011-01-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

The Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park is a grand panoramic view of the range, made famous by a fantastic image captured by Ansel Adams. At that time, the full "S" of the river could be viewed. Today that is not possible with the growth of the trees, but is still a very worthy place to set up your tripod.

This particular morning started off on the wrong foot. I lost my watch the previous morning while shooting at Oxbow Bend, and borrowed a watch to wake up with. Little did I know, its batteries were dying. Waking up to the sound of other people in your campground is never a good thing for a photographer!

Once I realized what had happened, I raced off to the nearest location from camp - Snake River Overlook. Granted it was a place that interested me and was in my plans to shoot, just not this day! I arrived in plenty of time for sunrise, and was surprised at how few people were present. In fact, there was only one other photographer there when I arrived - a stark contrast to Schwabacher Landing.

Pre-sunrise conditions were quite nice here, however early morning light is flat. This is a better late morning destination when shadows add some depth to your composition.

Snake River Overlook is also an excellent place to capture dramatic sunsets. Unfortunately, I was awarded clear blue skies each evening and was unable to capitalize on this knowledge. Next time!

Schwabacher Landing - Grand Teton National Park

2011-01-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park offers excellent reflection shots at sunrise and late morning (early morning finds the light rather flat).

It's also on nearly every photographer's radar, so don't expect to be alone! I arrived over 1-1/2 hours before sunrise, only to notice headlamps already descending the trail from the parking lot. Upon arriving at the pond I wished to shoot from, a few photographers were already set up in total darkness, certainly having scouted the location the day prior (having arrived at the park late the previous evening, this was not an option for me).

I set my tripod up next to them in the dark, unable to see anything - including my subject! I quickly became involved in conversation with them, and much joking and camaraderie ensued. In fact, I ran into one of the photographers again at Oxbow Bend later in my trip, and then again in Yellowstone the following year!

While we photographed first light on the Tetons, the droves began to arrive (I've never understood late arrivals). Though I've found most photographers to be very courteous and respectful, you do run into a bad apple now and then. This was one of those times. Though the photographer next to me and I had our tripod legs intertwined so nobody could get between us, a late arrival still repeatedly tried and we were forced to take issue with her. She was part of a workshop - an irresponsible one.

The morning that unfolded before us was a beautiful one, and I felt fortunate to have been a part of it. Fall colors were peaking during my visit, which did not come by accident. I had actually delayed my trip by a week at the last moment when I realized they were running later than normal. This preparedness in my trip planning did not go unrewarded!

I will have many more trip posts from this magnificent national park as I prepare my new Grand Teton National Park web gallery - stay tuned!

New Wind River Range Gallery!

2011-01-17T16:51:00.000-08:00

I have always loved the Wind River Range in Wyoming. In fact, I'm quite amazed much of it isn't a national park as its scenery would certainly rival other locations with such acclaim. Of course, once you've spent time in the area and absorbed the local culture, your realize what a difficult battle it would be. You see, this is cowboy country, and many people still make their living off the land. They don't take kindly to the perceived threat of government regulations.

I have visited the Wind Rivers many times, and have repeated trips to both Island Lake/Titcomb Basin and Cirque of the Towers. Both are amazing. My last visit found me venturing to the east side of the mountains and investigating the Cook Lake area as well. Though I did some quick exploring, I certainly can describe my visit as incomplete at best.

My favorite area is of course Cirque of the Towers. This is a popular rock climbing area for obvious reasons, and attracts serious climbers from all over the world. Only the big walls of Yosemite rival it for sport climbing in North America.

But its about more than rock climbing - it's about beautiful rock spires in a grandiose setting. It's a place where one can spend many days and never tire of the surroundings, whether exploring the many side trips available to the motivated hiker, or simply enjoying the inebriation one falls victim to within the supreme setting of the cirque itself.

Another favorite of mine is Island Lake and Titcomb Basin, approached from the Elkhart Entrance near Pinedale. This is a fantastic destination with a lot of exploration available - whether it's wandering up toward Dinwoody Pass, exploring neighboring Indian Basin (recommended), scrambling up Fremont Peak (third highest peak in Wyoming), or maybe experiencing the many lakes along the Highline Trail. Of course, there is always staying put and enjoying the reflections in Island Lake as well! As with Cirque of the Towers, I recommend multiple days to enjoy this area. Anything less than 4-5 days is cheating yourself of the experience!

I've included many images from the area in my new Wind River Gallery and hope you will find time to visit, if only a moment. Maybe it will motivate you to visit the area for yourself. Or possibly it will tug at your curiosity to investigate other, more creative options. Or just maybe, you will simply find an image that touches you in a special way.

As always, thank you for your interest in my photography and taking the time to read my blog.

Next up? Quite possibly Grand Teton NP. Check back!

New Glacier National Park Gallery

2011-01-11T16:28:00.001-08:00

My new Glacier National Park Gallery is live! These images cover a span of nearly 15 years, and are comprised of at least six different trips to the park (at least that I can count!).

My first time visiting the park was a two-week visit comprised of overnight backpacks - nothing extended. I visited the likes of Gunsight Lake, Otokomi Lake, Cracker Lake, Sperry Glacier, and some destinations up in Waterton National Park.

My second visit was mostly peak-bagging adventures, knocking off the likes of Gould, Siyeh, Gunsight, Flinsch etc., and some day hikes with my wife to Iceberg Lake, Garden Wall, etc.

My third visit was with a good friend, but fell victim to weather. We did get a visit in to Comeau Pass, Sperry Glacier and another visit to the summit of Gunsight Peak, however. We camped near the Sperry Chalet, which was closed for construction.

My fourth visit was a backpacking trip with my wife up the North Fork - a trip to Boulder Pass and Hole-in-the-Wall (see previous post). This trip included the most bear sightings I have ever experienced in the park - all black bears, except for the young grizzly at Hole-in-the-Wall.

My fifth visit was to backpack a variation of the North Circle with a climbing friend. We hiked the Garden Wall to Granite Park (where I took the first photograph above), continued on the Highline trail to Fifty Mountain, then we made it interesting! We climbed over the shoulder of Mt. Kipp and followed the Chaney Glacier route down to Sue Lake. From there, we continued our cross-country trek to Stoney Indian Pass and Stoney Indian Lake, then continued the North Circle route to Mokowanis Lake and up to Elizabeth Lake before crossing thru Ptarmigan Tunnel and descending to Many Glacier - an incredible trip!

Finally, last summer I visited the park with family, focusing on mostly roadside photography. However, my wife and I did the Garden Wall trail one-way, exiting at the switchback. Later while staying at Two Medicine Lake, I did the Dawson-Pitamakan loop, visiting No Name Lake and climbing Flinsch Peak along the way - all this with a broken toe! The toe hurt quite a bit on the Garden Wall hike, but was pretty much a non-factor on the Dawson-Pitamakan trip.

I plan to have more gallery updates to share soon! I'm still deciding which is next, but am leaning toward the Wind River Range. We'll see - check back soon!

Boulder Peak in Glacier National Park

2011-01-09T18:09:00.001-08:00

While working on images for my upcoming Glacier NP Gallery, I revisited a trip to Boulder Pass and Hole in the Wall that I did with my wife back in 1997. I was shooting Fuji Velvia in those days - long before the age of digital.

While camped at Boulder Pass, I jaunted up Boulder Peak in the evening and enjoyed this view of the Boulder Pass vicinity and out to Hole-in-the-Wall. I never thought to stitch these two images together until this morning - 14 years later!

Despite a bad wildfire just outside the western boundaries of the park during our visit, we had a great time. Our trip included seeing many bears around Upper and Lower Kintla Lake, as well as a young Grizzly around our camp at Hole in the Wall.

This was my third trip to Glacier, and I have been back several times since then. Recently I completed a variation of The North Circle, traveling cross-country from Fifty Mountain to Stony Indian Pass via Sue Lake. It was a most excellent trip!

Last summer, I visited again with family and enjoyed photographing areas around Logan Pass and St. Mary's Lake. Despite having a broken toe, I also did the Dawson-Pitamakan loop, with a side trip to No Name Lake and repeat climb of Flinsch Peak.

Earlier trips have taken me to the likes of Gunsight Lake, Cracker Lake, Otokomi Lake, Iceberg Lake, Comeau Pass & Sperry Glacier, and climbs of Mt. Gould, Mt. Siyeh & Gunsight Peak.

Glacier National Park has always been a favorite of mine, and I am sure I will return again with further ambitions.

I hope to have my Glacier NP gallery up in the coming days - stay tuned!

Dr. Jose Rizal Park - Wow!

2011-01-05T06:55:00.000-08:00

Dr. Jose Rizal Park has amazing views of the Seattle skyline from the south, as well as Safeco and Qwest Field, and Elliot Bay.

This was my first visit to the park, and I was pretty much blown away by the views. And this was inspite of having only visited Kerry Park a couple days prior. Both parks are very nice vantages.

The first view that gets your attention is obviously the view of the city and the freeway wrapping around it. At night (or early morning in my case), headlights and taillights create colorful streams of ribon during long exposures. The above image was exposed at 15 seconds, f16.

Qwest Field is a close second in the running for your attention from this park, at least at night. The colorful blue roof serves as a beacon south of the city. In stark contrast, Safeco Field is simply a dark structure with no lights.

Also cast in bright lights in the south industrial area are the cranes serving the Port of Seattle along Elliott Bay. I found them an interesting scene, especially once the Olympic Mountains began to emerge closer to sunrise. The cargo ships can be scene docked with full loads just beyond the Qwest Event Center Parking Garage. This composition was squeazed between Qwest Field and Safeco Field.

Vertical isolations were also fun to play with from this vantage. The black building in this composition is the Columbia Center - tallest buidling in Seattle and second tallest on the west coast at 987 feet. Originally, it was supposed to be even taller. But FAA regulations would not allow the proposed height of 1005 feet due to its close proximity to Sea-Tac Airport.

The building has an observation deck on the 73rd floor that is open to the public (for a fee) on weekdays only. The views are supposed to rival those from the Space Needle - some say better. Though the panorama is not 360, they are reported to be excellent of the city and of Elliot Bay. This attraction has been added to my bucket list.
As the western horizon starts to turn a pastel pink moments before sunrise, Qwest Field again becomes an attractive scene. At least it did in my mind. I took many shots of this scene in varying light - including first sunlight on the stadium itself. However, I think the subtleness of this one makes it my favorite.

Panoramas of the city scape are also possible from here. The panorama below consists of three images stitched together for a fairly complete representation of this vantage. I wish I would have thought to take these images about 10 minutes earlier when the pink hue dominated the sky. Next time.

Dr. Jose Rizal Park is located on Beacon Hill, just off of Dearbon Street (the exit to take off I-5). The approach from the south is a little indirect due to one-way streets and freeway obstruction, but it is worth the effort! Check it out next time you are in the area!

New Year's Eve from Kerry Park!

2011-01-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

2010 ended on a high note for me. I finally visited a park that has been on my list for the last several years - Kerry Park. Wow! There is a reason for it's popularity. Actually, I should say reasons - plural.

Kerry Park is one of, if not the, supreme view of the city skyline that Seattle has to offer, and includes the bonus of Mount Rainier off on the horizon. The visual is magical.

Access to the park was pretty straight forward and easy, even on such a day as New Year's Eve. It is certainly a popular spot, but as with many tourist locations, people come and people go. Too crowded for you? Wait 10-15 minutes.

Actually, the people were a large part of the experience for me. They were from all parts of the country, and the world. The entourage of guests came on foot, on bikes, personal vehicles, small tour buses, and even stretch limos. And everyone I talked to were inebriated from the views and enjoying the moment.

It was fun sharing stories with people from Georgia, while offering to take pictures of a family from South Carolina. The spirit was festive!

Kerry Park is not very large. In fact, the "park" is mostly down below viewpoint, and requires a steep descent to visit. Kerry Park as photographers know it is more of a paved viewpoint, roughly 100 feet long. The best vantage if from the far west (right) end near the steps that descend to the play area and basketball court.

I saw very few photographers during my visit. Much fewer than expected, anyway. And I could count the professionals on a single hand.

I recommend arriving at Kerry Park about an hour (or slightly more) before sunset. Not so much for the potential crowds (and it will help), but for some of the best lighting. I found the vantage from Kerry Park best while Mount Rainier and the foreground still had some light on them, and then well after sunset when the city lights transformed the setting.

The scene becomes much different after dark, both through the lens and the number of people standing around you. The city lights change the setting from one of stretching panorama under a pink hue of the evening sunset to one of festive nightlife. Both are quite intoxicating. It's a scene that is hard to pull away from. But as the skies grow darker, you realize the best images to be had are already on your flash card and it is time to move on.

A visit to Kerry Park at sunset should be a must on every visitor's list. I strongly recommend it.

The park is located on Queen Anne hill, just west of Queen Anne Ave.

There are other magnificent places to view the city as well, including Alki Point and other vantages from West Seattle. Make sure you check them all out!

Next, I will share yet another new vantage of the city that I found quite impressive. Stay tuned!

Views from Discovery Park

2010-12-31T13:49:00.000-08:00

The last day of 2010 and how did I spend my morning? Visiting a location I have never been too - Discovery Park in Seattle!

To top it off, it was pretty much an accident. I left home this morning to visit the piers on the Seattle waterfront, only to realize that I had forgotten my wallet at home, and thus had no means to pay for parking (there were some other obvious concerns too, which will go without saying).

So I continued along the waterfront towards the Magnolia Bridge, visiting Elliott Bay Park, Magnolia Park, and finally, Discovery Park.

Discovery Park is a lot bigger than I imagined. And those rabits...

I followed the loop trail from the south parking lot towards the water and soon found some nice, uncompromised views of the Olympics. Despite the cold, there was still a lot of haze in the air.
It was fun seeing the Olympic Mountains in all their winter splendor, and from a new vantage point. I definitely have reason to return!

Tonight and tomorrow I hope to continue my streak of visiting new places around the city. Stay tuned!

Oh, and have a fun and safe New Years!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-27T07:50:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Snoqualmie Falls and Flooding in the Snoqualmie Valley

2010-12-14T06:47:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. It's the rainy season in the Pacific Northwest, and the time of year that rivers crest near or even above their banks. The Snoqualmie River is one of such rivers, as is the nearby Tolt River.

Yesterday the Snoqualmie River crested above flood stage, measuring 33,600 cubic feet per second at Snoqualmie Falls (46,000 cubic feet per second in the lower valley).

Of course, this is not even close to the river's volume during record flooding in 2009 when I composed this night image of the falls from the observation deck. Access to the falls was difficult with many road closures, and the drive a little unnerving while driving over a bridge very nearly at the level of the rushing water!

December typically marks another fun time to see the falls as well - during cold, freezing temperatures! Of course, this can happen in January and February too.

Unfortunately, the lower trail to the viewpoint near the base of the falls is now closed for reconstruction, and will be until 2013. However, I think the best views of the falls are from the upper observation deck anyway, which are still accessible.

Snoqualmie Falls is impressive to see at any time of year, plummeting 268' with shear power and strength. It is one of many waterfalls along the three forks of the Snoqualmie River, which also include Kanim Falls (200'), Nellie Falls (150'), Twin Falls (135'), Franklin Falls (135'), and many, many more.

Snoqualmie Falls is the most accessible of all the falls, with a paved trail from the parking lot and restrooms and gift shop. When was the last time you visited? Might it be time?

For more images, be sure and check out my Snoqualmie Falls Gallery on my web site!

Mount Rainier - A Nice Christmas Gift!

2010-12-08T06:25:00.000-08:00

Living so close to Mount Rainier National Park has given me many opportunities to enjoy this wonderful national treasure. I have hiked nearly every trail within the park, and climbed to its lofty 14,411' summit multiple times.

So when Hancock House Publishing approached me about doing a book on photographing the park, how could I say no?

Mount Rainier offers excellent photography opportunities year round, and to enjoy this mountain in every season is truly a special opportunity.

Mount Rainier is a collection of my favorite photographs taken throughout Mount Rainier National Park, and includes my hints and recommendations about where, when and how to achieve successful photographic images of the park. I have broken my recommendations down by season, and even by weather. There is always something to photograph in the park!

If you're not a photographer, you can simply enjoy the artistic images and the moods and emotions they elicit as you take a visual tour through this beautiful national park. I try to explain the attraction of each area and the beauty such areas hold in certain seasons. Let's face it, you don't have to be toting a camera to appreciate the beauty of our wilderness! Hopefully, my images and descriptions will convince you to visit this wonderful park soon!

Mount Rainier is available for purchase for only $9.95 plus S&H, and would make an excellent Christmas gift!

Also, feel free to check out my Rainier gallery, whether to purchase a print, poster, or just to peruse for your enjoyment!

Note Cards Now Available for Purchase Online!

2010-11-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

That's right! The note cards that I have been selling at my shows are FINALLY available for purchase from my web site!

If you haven't seen these, they are very high quality cards - printed on acid free, 100% cotton fiber. These cards will truly stand the test of time, and are suitable for framing!

I currently have eight sets available: Mount Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, North Cascades, and Olympic. Different sets are available of Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic, so it is worth checking them all out!

If you've been to my shows, you have been accustomed to purchasing individual cards. I am considering making these available online as well, but am still deciding. Hey, I can be influenced - shoot me an e-mail!

Early Light on Prusik Peak

2010-11-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

This image has been a pretty popular one for me. It has won a few photo contests, has been displayed in the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle, has appeared in the pages of the Washington Trails Association magazine, and has served as a cover for a national magazine.

It has also been a very popular print, especially at my latest show. So, I have just added it to my note card series! I haven't made these available for online purchase yet, but plan to do so soon. My note cards have been a very popular item at my shows and I am excited to make them available to all!

Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show - Final Day!

2010-11-21T09:14:00.001-08:00

The final day of the Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show was quite busy for us! Thanks to all those who came out! We saw many familiar faces and met lots of new and interesting people.

Several of the prints shown in this image were sold, including my favorite one - Prusik Peak. Note cards were also a big hit - especially the box sets. I'll have lots of work to do before my next show!

I would like to extend a special 'Thank You' to the Jennifer and Shirley, who ran the event and were incredible! This was easily the most organized and publicized event I have been a part of. Kudos to them! We definitely plan to be back next year.

Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show - Day 1!

2010-11-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

We had an excellent time at the Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show today, and enjoyed seeing many friends and family throughout the day! This one will definitely remain on our list for future appearances!

It was fun to meet many aquaintences too, from many places of internet interaction (including this blog). It was particularly fun to see Don Duncan, whom I met on a recent hiking/climbing trip, and learn that we have several friends in common. Small world!

Tomorrow is the final day of this show, and is expected to be busy! No matter, we still have time to meet you. Come on down!

Renton Community Center
1715 SE Maple Valley Highway

It's right off I-405!

Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show

2010-11-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

The Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show is now in its 15th year, and I am excited to be a part of it for the first time. It's held at the Renton Community Center on Maple Valley Highway, just off I-405.

The event takes place November 19th & 20th (Fri - Sat), and admission is free! Hours are 11:00 to 6:00 Friday, and 9:00 to 5:00 on Saturday.

Please come by and say hello! I will have on display for purchase my matted prints ready for framing, rolled poster prints, both individual and boxed set note cards (perfect for the holidays!), postcards, the 2011 Mountains of Washington Calendar, and signed copies of my book Mount Rainier.

The address is:

Renton Community Center
1715 SE Maple Valley Highway

For more information, go here.

Hope to see you there!

Updated! New for the holidays - Poster Prints!

2010-11-07T06:29:00.001-08:00

I'm excited to share my newest product with you - poster prints! These 12x18 standard sized prints were created by my good friends at ADG Printing in Lynnwood just in time for the holidays and my upcoming shows! They represent 6 of my most popular images from my home state of Washington, and some personal favorites as well.

About the Images:

The image of Mount Olympus above was taken during a September backpack to High Divide in Olympic National Park. I have climbed Mount Olympus several times, and it's always held a special place in my heart. This image was made possible by unseasonably late-blooming lupine.

2010 wasn't the strongest year for wildflowers, but I was still fortunate enough to enjoy a couple of evenings in Spray Park at peak showing. This is one of my favorite hikes in Mount Rainier, and always impresses me no matter the season. I was also fortunate to witness a bear grazing in the upper meadows, as well as a couple of mountain goat. The challenging part of evening photography is descending down to the to the parking lot in the dark - there is no camping at Spray Park.

Reflection Lakes might be the single most popular location for photography in Mount Rainier National Park. On this morning, I arrived at Paradise Meadows before sunrise, only to find the clouds as thick as pea soup. On a whim, I drove down to Reflection Lakes to take my chances. There were no views of the mountain, or anything else for that matter, for the longest time. Then all of a sudden, the clouds and fog parted to reveal our Pacific Northwest crown jewel, just moments before this image was taken.

Possibly the supreme flower gardens in Mount Rainier National Park are those at Paradise Meadows and Mazama Ridge. The displays can be breathtaking, and attract photographers from around the world. I have bumped into many well-known photographers here, and always enjoy the camaraderie. On this particular morning, I enjoyed shooting and exchanging beta with John Shaw, and later met Jamie and Judy Wild near Edith Creek.

Mount Shuksan reflected in Picture Lake in the North Cascades is one of the most iconic images from my state of Washington. It is located near the end of Highway 542, otherwise known as the Mt. Baker Highway. On any given fall weekend, photographers can outnumber just about anything else in the area. Best enjoy this scene on a weekday should you choose to visit. There are also many hiking opportunities in the area, including incredibly scenic Ptarmigan Ridge from road end at Artist Point. Better plan on spending the entire day here!

Finally, there is Mount St. Helens - a mountain that still impresses all these years after its violent period. This view is from near the Johnstone Ridge Visitors' Center. I left home in the afternoon under clear, sunny skies, but knowing that a system was forecast to move in sometime in the evening. As I drove south on I-5, a marine layer was busy pushing inland and I wondered if it would prevent me from shooting evening light on the mountain. By the time I arrived at the visitors' center, clouds mostly filled the sky. Though initially discouraged, I walked around and noticed an interesting light filtering through the clouds. I found this composition and set up shop. The skies grew dark and the mountain disappeared shortly after I captured this image. I guess this image is special to me mostly because it reaffirmed the importance of patience and persistence - two important ingredients in nature photography.

These poster prints will be in stock this coming week and available from my web site soon, along with my book Mount Rainier and the 2011 Mountains of Washington wall calendar. Check back very soon!

Update: These prints can now be viewed on my web site! They can be purchased for $12.95 ea., though the order form currently doesn't submit - hey, I'm working on it! Feel free to e-mail me if interested. If living in the Puget Sound area, I have an appearance coming up in a couple of weeks, which I will be announcing shortly - and you can buy them in person!

2011 Mountains of Washington Calendar

2010-10-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Mountains of Washington calendar is officially out! It is available at many retail stores, including Fred Meyer and Rite Aid from first-hand knowledge. It looks like your's truly was generously given the months of March and May. The May image of Mt. St. Helens actually served as the cover in their 2009 calendar (yes, it is a repeat image).

I hope to have more product news to share in the coming weeks - check back!

Update!

This calendar will be available for purchase at my shows and from my web site. Details coming soon!

Painted Hills Unit - John Day Fossil Beds National Park

2010-10-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

One of Oregon's most recognizable locations, the Painted Hills are a photographer's delight, offering an array of contrasting colors, appearing to have been "painted" on the hillsides. The colors change with the light throughout the day - from gold and orange to deep reds at twilight. Add some storm clouds in the sky and the scene becomes even more intense!

The Painted Hills Unit are located 9 miles from Mitchell, and 75 miles east of Bend. Flowers here typically peak in late April or early May. I missed them on this particular trip (giving me reason to go back!).

I've recently added a new gallery of these images to my web site, to include the Sheep Rock Unit, as well as a new Smith Rock State Park gallery. It was fun to revisit this trip and relive the memories. I hope you enjoy.

Enjoy the Fall Colors!

2010-10-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

Fall is one of my favorite seasons for photography, and for many reasons. The days are cooler, foliage and needles are turning brilliant colors, and the crowds are few. There are also a lot of different opportunities.

If you enjoy reds, then the berries are for you! Their foliage can start turning in mid-September in the North Cascades - especially around Mount Baker. Early October is more likely around Mount Rainier and other areas of the Central Cascades. The nice thing about these plants is that they can pretty much be found throughout the Cascades, both east and west side.

If you like the gold of larches, then the high country east of the crest is for you, begining in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and stretching north. Though colors can emerge in late September, early to mid-October is the better bet. Some of the most renouned areas for lyall's larch in the Cascades are the Enchantment Lakes, Ingalls Lake, the Rainy Pass area of the North Cascades and further east into the Methow. There are many other possibilities as well (see my Ice Lakes trip in the Entiat Mountains below).

As colors fade in the high country, they are just begining to pop in the lower elevations. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is an excellent visit in late October, as are the many river drainages of the Olympics - Sol Duc being my favorite. Closer to Seattle are destinations such as the Japanese Garden on Lake Washington or the University of Washington campus.

I hope this gives you some ideas for the coming weeks for places to get out and enjoy nature's show. I hope to visit Tipsoo Lake and the Paradise area at Mount Rainier in the coming days. For those of you who have my book Mount Rainier, you know these are a couple of my favorite areas for fall colors at MRNP!

Where will you be going?

Ice Lakes, North Cascades

2010-10-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ice Lakes are a pair of beautiful alpine lakes sitting in a high cirque above the Entiat Valley. Lower Ice Lake sits at 6,822', while Upper Ice Lake rests at 7,200'.

The hike up the Entiat is long - 28 miles round trip to the lower lake, with not much in the way of views until near the end.

I elected instead to hop the ridge from the Chiwawa River side, hiking up Phelps Creek and Leroy Creek, following the Carne Mountain high route south and climbing over the south shoulder of Mt. Maude.

The approach from Phelps Creek involves ~4,100' of elevation gain, and involves off-trail travel and route finding skills. Throw an overnight pack on and this makes for a pretty good day! I actually lost the trail at a stream crossing below a waterfall in Leroy Creek Basin, and climbed an unecessary 800' or so into the upper basin, only to have to descend again via a loose boulder field to cross the deep "cleft" feature coming down Mt. Maude. From here cairns mark the way back to trail, which leads up to the notch in the ridge at 6,800'. From the notch, a steep climber's path climbs to the pass south of Mt. Maude at 7,600', where one can look down on Upper Ice Lake and make the easy descent down to camp.

There was only one other party camped at the upper lake when I arrived, and though I saw a few people during my 3-day stay, the numerous camps remained mostly unoccupied. I saw no one at the lower lake until the last evening, when two tired hikers arrived at sunset from the Entiat.

I bivied on a rock rib above the upper lake and spent my first evening exploring the area. Specifically, I tried to locate the trail down to the lower lake that is depicted on the Green Trails map. I was unsuccessful.

The next morning I awoke early and was surpised to see the upper lake holding a reflection. Upper Ice Lake is rather large - probably three times the size of lower lake. Large lakes in general can be very challenging for reflection shots as their waters aren't typically still.

The stillness in the water didn't last for long, and soon I descended the outlet stream to Lower Ice Lake. Along the way I found a tarn holding a nice reflection (seen above).

Past the tarn, I followed the trail down to Lower Ice Lake, in view almost the entire way. The trail follows the south side of the lake past numerous scenic campsites, again all empty during my visits. At the far east end, I found a nice reflection shot (right) and found reason to relax and watch the morning sun shadows slowly begin to disappear.

I continoued around the northeast side of the lake and located the trail that climbs up to Upper Ice Lake. It was quite easy to follow actually, and was much more pleasant than following the outlet stream. It pretty much disappears up high, so it is no wonder I wasn't able to locate while exploring my first night near camp.

I returned to the lower lake once again in the afternoon for more photography, again finding myself alone. I photographed until about 6:00 when the shadows took over the basin, then returned back to camp for the evening.

That night I fell asleep once again under stars, but was awakened at 1:30 am with rain drops on my face (I often sleep with my bivy open). By the time I opened my sleeping bag and sat up, the rain drops had turned to snow fluries. Within moments, they were gone. I experienced a couple more quick showers throughout the night, but they never lasted more than a couple of minutes. Still, they signaled a change in the weather for the next day - my exit day.

Some photography notes on the area:

Lower Ice Lake does not receive first or last light. It is best photographed mid-morning and mid-afternoon. It is the more scenic of the lakes with many more larches, an isthmus and an island.

Upper Ice Lake is excellent for first light. The water held a reflection my first morning, but did not on the second. The larches are much fewer at the upper lake.

Upcoming Appearances

2010-09-27T10:50:00.001-07:00

I have received a few inquiries as to my fall show schedule this year. I am currently working on confirming my fall appearances and hope to share with you soon. I'm also hoping to have some new product announcements in the coming weeks - stay tuned!

Update: I will be offering my work at the 2010 Renton Holiday Baazar at the Renton Community Center, November 19th & 20th. Details to follow closer to the dates!

Dawson-Pitamakin Pass in Glacier National Park

2010-09-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

The Dawson-Pitamakin Trail begins at the Two Medicine Lake Campground and climbs to the Continental Divide at Dawson Pass, where incredible views out to the rugged spires of the South Lewis Range await. It then traverses below Flinsch Peak and follows the divide north around Mount Morgan to Pitamakin Pass before descending via the Dry Creek Drainage back to Two Medicine Lake.

This is a highly scenic trip that deserves more than the single day I was able to give it. The loop trip totals 19 miles, and it is very easy to tack on more with various side trips, such as No Name Lake pictured to the left, or maybe Upper Two Medicine Lake.

I got an early start to my hike, heading out shortly before first light. Several years ago I did the hike to Dawson Pass on a climb of Flinsch Peak and there were numerous bear warning signs posted along the trail - a definite attention getter when hiking solo! Fortunately, such was not the case for this visit (again, solo).

I made a quick side trip to No Name Lake, a very scenic lake set to the backdrop of cliffs in a deep cirque. After a short break, I retraced my steps back to the main trail and followed it up to Dawson Pass and the scenery that awaited me. From the pass, the South Lewis Range stood tall to the southwest, with Mount St. Nicholas dominating the group. High clouds were beginning to creep in from the west.

I oscillated over climbing Flinsch Peak again throughout my hike. I was sporting a broken toe, and had a lot of miles ahead of me. The climb consists of steep, loose scree with some class 4 below the summit. I decided to side with caution and focus on the hike. But on its upper slopes, the temptation became too much. Up I went!

I kept my visit on the summit brief as a system was clearly moving in. I descended upon a herd of bighorn sheep lazily sprawled about the meadows below. The weather was deteriorating fast now. As I traversed below Flinsch Peak toward Mount Morgan, I was certain to get wet as the skies grew black. However, it never materialized.

Just below Mount Morgan, I passed some backpackers who were equally nervous about the the weather. Coming from the other direction, they were heading into it. Their destination was No Name Lake for the evening. Lucky!

I rounded Mount Morgan and traversed to Pitamakin Pass, passing several groups of day hikers - one pair in cotton t-shirts, shorts and sandals with aspirations of completing the 19 mile loop trip. They had a lot of miles ahead of them in deteriorating conditions.

At the pass a bear warning sign greeted me. Fortunately, there were no signs or sightings of it on this day.

I had hoped to photograph Flinsch Peak above Oldman Lake from at or near the pass, but it was less than appealing under gray skies (I was now east of the divide now where skies were less threatening). Instead, I continued my uneventful descent down Dry Creek and back to Two Medicine Lake, completing a 22 mile day with my added side trips. It was a good, though exhausting day.

St. Mary Lake - Glacier National Park

2010-09-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

St. Mary Lake is located on the east side of Glacier National Park, and is the second largest lake in the park (Lake McDondald being the largest). It was created by the widening of the St. Mary River.

The lake is probably most famous for its view from the Wild Goose Island viewpoint, shown here. On a perfect morning, one can catch the reflection of the surrounding mountains in the still waters of the lake. On such mornings, photographers line up side by side in anticipation.

I arrived at the viewpoint on such a morning, after driving over Logan Pass from Avalanche Campground on the west side. In comparison, the viewpoint is only a 1.5 mile drive for those staying at Rising Sun! Fortunately, I was still first to arrive and set up.

Within moments, several other photographers arrived and set up next to me. They were all very pleasent people and a lot of fun to share the morning the with, as is typically the case.

I learned that one photographer in particular had been trying to capture the lake's early reflection for over a week, but had experienced only windy conditions. This morning we were blessed with perfectly still water, so my timing was fortunate. Throw the excellent clouds in just begging to turn pink at first light, and it was a bonus!

To add to our experience, we also enjoyed a full moon to the south. The first image above shows it creating a "halo" as it dips behind the distant peak about 20 minutes before sunrise.

Soon the sky began to turn a brilliant pink as the clouds caught the first gentle rays of the sun - always a glorious experience. This was the highlight of the morning and the sound of camera shutters reflected this (pun intended)! As the sun rose, the cloud layer thickened and the morning turned overcast. Of course, we photographers retreated knowing we had witnessed a spectacular morning, evident by the smiles on our faces.

Just down the road a ways is the trailhead for St. Mary and Virginia Falls at the south end of the lake. Both are just a short hike from the road; 1.2 miles for St. Mary Falls and 1.8 for Virginia Falls. Both are worth the effort!

St. Mary is by far the most popular of the two, and can become quite crowded at certain times. Still, as long as one has some patience, opportunities will present themselves.

As with most waterfalls, cloudy days are best for photography to minimize contrast. Excellent compositions can be had from the bridge, as well as the rock on the far side. (Be careful on the rock though, it can be slick when wet. During my visit, a young lady slipped and fell into the swift current, requiring a rescue.)

During slightly diffused light, photographers must be aware of the potential of the railing shadow across the water during morning hours. Sometimes it can be faint and not so obvious if one isn't watching for it.

Virginia Falls is a mere 0.6 miles further up the trail and is also quite scenic. Compositions abound for photographers courtesy of a path that descends down to lower vantage points. Unfortunately, the sun decided to make an extended appearance during my visit and the scene became much too high in contrast with dark shadows and the brightness of the sun glarring off the water. Did I mention the benefit of photographing waterfalls on cloudy days?

The St. Mary area is a must visit for anyone spending time in Glacier National Park. Don't miss it!