Western Landscapes 2021 Wall Calendar

 My new 2021 wall calendar is out!  It includes images from all over the western U.S. and Canada, including Mount Rainier NP, Olympic NP, North Cascades NP, Death Valley NP, Canyonlands NP, Assiniboine PP, Yoho NP and more!

You can purchase this calendar here!  Right now you can save 15% by using the code WINTER15!  This is only for a limited time!

I've been creating these calendars to share my travels for several years now, and the project just keeps getting more exciting for me each year. 

In fact, it's hard to choose which images to include as I have so many favorites and keep building on them.

You can view these images and more by visiting my website at www.mountainscenes.com.  Prints are available.

As always, thanks for looking and enjoy the holidays!  Stay safe!

2019 Mount Rainier Wall Calendar

2018 Mount Rainier wall calendar

Great news!  My new 2019 Mount Rainier wall calendar is now out and available for order!  It includes some of my favorite images from around the park, including Paradise, Tipsoo Lake, Spray Park, Mazama Ridge, Moraine Park, Sunset Park, Tatoosh Range, and more!

The calendar is available for purchase for $10.99 plus shipping.

I am also working on another Western Landscapes calendar for 2019, which will include images from all over the western U.S. and Canada.  I hope to have an announcement in the next day or two of its completion!

If you wish to view more of my work, please feel free to visit my website at www.mountainscenes.com.

As always, thanks for looking!

Wall Calendar Images

Mount Steel reflected in Lake La Crosse.

This is the time of year that I become busy with calendar image requests.  Of course, calendar companies are working 1-2 years in advance.  2014 calendars were printed and on store shelves 6-9 months ago!

Here are a couple more images that will be appearing in 2015 wall calendar - both from Olympic National Park here in Washington.

The first one is from a fantastic solo backpacking trip I did into La Crosse Basin over a five day period, entering via the N. Fork Skykomish (Staircase) and exiting out the Hamma Hamma.  There was a forest fire in the vicinity, which often make for dramatic sunrises and sunsets.  One may also access the area via the Quinault and Enchanted Valley.  Any way you choose, it is a minimum two days to reach this lovely basin.  But it is well worth the effort.



Mount Olympus from High Divide.

High Divide is probably the best area to view Mount Olympus that is accessed by trail (my favorite place is very much off trail).  It is most commonly accessed from Sol Duc, though some approach it from the Hoh.  A favorite is to do a loop trip from Sol Duc, hiking up to Heart Lake, then venturing over to fantastic Seven Lakes Basin.  There are fabulous campsite in both locations.  But the even better ones are up on the divide itself, offering exceptional views of Mount Olympus and Mount Carrie.

High Divide is an excellent destination in late July/early August for flowers, or late September/early October for fall colors.

I'll share more information about the calendars once they go to publication, which won't be long from now.  Stay tuned!

For more images of Olympic National Park, be sure and check out my Olympic Gallery, which includes these images and more.

I'm not sure whether I'll have another update before Christmas, so please allow me to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all now.  I hope you are afforded the opportunity to spend time with family, enjoy good food, and find something special under the tree!

Don

2014 Wall Calendars

2014 Mountains of Washington Wall Calendar.

I know it seems a little too early to be thinking about 2014 calendars.  Heck, we aren't even halfway into 2013 yet!  But in order to get such products on store shelves in time, planning and production must start early - often 2 - 3 years in advance.

Next year I find my work appearing in several wall calendars.  But the one I am most pleased about is the line produced by Smith-Western Co., a local company out of Tacoma.  I have worked with them for many years now, and have enjoyed an excellent relationship with them.

In 2014, I will have four images appearing in the pages and on the cover of their Mountains of Washington calendar, and one image in their Washington calendar.  The wall calendars are too large for my scanning capabilities, so you will have to settle for a picture of the pocket calendar version (same calendar as the wall version, only smaller)!

These calendars should start appearing on store shelves soon, if they haven't already.  In years past, I have seen them in Fred Meyer, Bartells, Rite-Aid, the Space Needle, and more.  Keep your eyes open and help support local business!

I haven't made up my mind yet whether I will sell these on my web site again.  The problem we run into is that shipping is so darn expensive - almost the price of the calendar.  I will likely have them available at my shows later in the year.

I hope everyone is having an excellent spring!

2013 Calendar Images



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 combining 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!

2011 Mountains of Washington Calendar

Upon returning from Olympic National Park, I discovered my samples of Smith-Western's 2011 Mountains of Washington calendar had arrived at my doorstep. It was a nice treat to come home to!

I have two images in this calendar. The first one is for the month of March and includes an image I took a couple years ago on a trip up to High Divide with my good friend David Crowe. It was a great trip and included one of the latest flower shows I've witnessed in the mountains. It was early September and the huckleberry plants were already turning red right along side the lupine, paintbrush and asters!

The second image appears the month of May. What mountain is synonymous with the month of May? Mount St. Helens of course!

This image is from a fantastic backpack I did with my dad a few years ago. It's actually a repeat image for the calendar, having appeared previously in their 2009 calendar. In fact, it also served as a cover image for the calendar, along with an image of mine of Mount Rainier!

These calendars will be available in most stores in Washington this fall for those interested in checking it out.

Changing the subject, I just finished packing and am heading to Death Valley in the morning. I'll be gone 1-1/2 weeks and hope to come back with some nice images to share.

Also, I haven't forgotten about my Yellowstone posts! I have at least two more to share and will do so upon my return. I promise!

2009 Calendars

Over the past several years I have enjoyed contributing to various calendars. It's always fun to walk in the store and see your own work on display, and a special feeling to know your work is appreciated enough to be invited into someone's home or office.

Well, this last year marked the first year of producing my very own wall calendars - Wild West & Reflections. Both of these calendars offer a collection of my images from all over the Western U.S. and Canada. What a fun project!

These calendars have been distributed widely in both retail and online stores such as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Half Price Books, sporting goods stores, etc.

Now that we are nearing March, most retailers are closing these out and deals are to be had! Unfortunately, availability is no longer guaranteed.

The good news is that we still have a few calendars left! You may view and purchase calendars at a reduced price of $7.00 plus S&H (Reg. price $12.99) by visiting our web site.

Supplies are limited to stock on hand, so once they are gone, they are gone. These calendars are wrapped, but I can peel away a small corner and sign them upon request - let me know!

Mountains of Washington Calendar

I've noticed that most stores are down to their last few copies of this calendar, and have them marked down by as much as 50%! This calendar actually appears in two versions - the one pictured to the left, the other with an image of Mount Rainier from Paradise Meadows on the cover (these images of mine also appear within each calendar). Several smaller versions of these calendars also exist. Of course, I have plenty of copies of my own calendars still available too ; )