North Fork Bridge Creek

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North Fork Bridge Creek Waterfall and Mount Logan, North Cascades National Park 2015The North Fork Bridge Creek Trail is one of the most scenic trails in the North Cascades National Park.

Goode Mountain, North Cascades National Park

Goode Mountain, North Cascades National Park

Winding its way up the valley towards North Fork Meadows you will see fantastic views of Goode Mountain, the highest peak in the North Cascades National Park at 9,220 feet, rising over 6,000 feet from its footings, and almost 7,000 feet from the bottom of Bridge creek valley.

Sign to North Fork MeadowsThe often brushy trail is 7 miles long and gains about 1,700 feet from start to end. To get there hike 10 miles south on the Pacific Crest Trail from Highway 20 .

You’ll ford Grizzly Creek and then break out into the open with views like this one. North Fork MeadowsTo purchase prints of these images (as well as other stunning images of the North Cascades, visit our Photo Gallery.

Following the creek up towards the head of the valley into North Fork Meadows, Mount Logan looms above.

The lush green swards are filled with flowers, as well as hordes of flies in July and early August and often there are bears foraging along your way. Bear on the PCT Bear at Horseshoe Basin

No matter what the weather, you’ll get wet pushing through the brush.

Seven miles from the junction, the North Fork Trail ends at the base of a fantastic waterfall with Mount Logan as a spectacular back drop.

Camping is available at Grizzly Creek and Walker Park.

Or you can camp at the North Fork Camp, located at the trail Junction of the PCT and North Fork Trail.

If you would like information about a North Cascades Photo Tour, here is the place to start!

 

 

 

Skyline Divide

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Last summer I visited Skyline Divide. Located in the North Cascades the trail head is accessed from the Mount Baker Highway. Ascending to the ridge is maybe a 3 mile hike, and then you head out towards Mount Baker along the ridge top.
There were many people there, camping and taking pictures.
One photographer and his friend brought along their dog, who added extra flavor to the images.

This is one of the locations where I lead North Cascades Photo Tours, if you’re interested, here is the link with more info.

Balloon Festival

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Balloons make wonderful photographic subjects, bright and colorful shapes against a clear sky. The town of Sequim, on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State hosted a 2 day event some time ago and I attended their Night Glow event.

There was a display of antique cars, live music, and of course the balloons. The event was held in a field where they had carefully laid down a thick sheet of plastic and covered it with water to create a reflective pond specifically for the night glow event.

The water ran off, leaving the plastic exposed, but the results at night were stunning!

These images are for sale as canvas wraps (You can get them with floating frames, very cool!) as well as fine art prints. Here is the link.

2016 Calendars are also now on sale HERE!

Greeting Cards

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Greeting cards are now available!

There are 6 different images that you can order.

Each card is printed on 80lb smooth, high quality paper. The folded size is 6.25″ x 4.5″. The inside of each card is blank. Cards come with matching envelopes.

The cards come in bundles of 18 (three of each) and 30 (five of each).
Here is the link to order the cards online.

If you would like a different mix of greeting cards please specify how many of each card when you check out, or email me at: andyporterphotography@gmail.com

500th Post

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January 2009 is when I began this blog.

Time is an illusory creature. 7 years ago seems like yesterday and a different lifetime, all at once.

During that span I have posted stories of hitchhiking, near death experiences and other adventures. 

I have posted travel reports and given advice.

But mostly I have posted pictures. Lots of pictures!

Images of the Mountains,

 

Images of Tulip Fields,

 

Pictures of Ocean,

 

and pictures of Night.

 

I hope you have enjoyed looking as much as I have enjoyed sharing.

Thank you all.

I’ll be seeing you soon!

Winchester Mountain Lookout

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I made two trips up to the Winchester Mountain Lookout in September. Both times I spent the night in the lookout.

What an incredible spot!

Just being in any mountain lookout is special. The remoteness, views, air, sky and colors…

Here is the gallery where you can purchase prints.

Here are a few more images from the second trip.

em and amber

Fall colors 1

Fall colors 2

Fall Colors at Twin Lakes

Hiking Winchester Mountain

Mount Larrabee

Mount Larrabee2

Rainbow at Winchester Mountain

Rainbows over Twin Lakes

Sunset at Wincehster Mountain

Tomyhoi Peak and Lake

Twin Lakes 2

Amber and Em on the trail 1

Amber and Em on the trail 2

Christin, Em and Amber 1

Christin, Em and Amber 2

Morning skies in the North Cascades 2

Mt Baker

Winchester Lookout 3

Winchester Lookout

Park Butte Lookout October

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Mount Baker
On Wednesday night I made my way up to the Park Butte Lookout for the 5th time this year.
Each trip is different, unique. Skies and clouds, temperature and wind, sun or rain it is always a fantastical place to spend the night.Sam and River

This trip was no exception, I went with my friend, Sam and her dog River.

The cool October air is comfortable for climbing up with a big back.

Leaving late we arrived at the lookout as the sun set, had dinner and almost immediately after were out capturing images of the Milky Way, blazing above.

Park Butte Lookout and the Milky Way 1

Park Butte Lookout and the Milky Way 3

 

 

 

 

 

I  clambered down below the lookout for a new perspective of the lookout and Milky Way.

The yellow lamp I brought created a perfect yellow-golden light inside.

Finally the excitement ended and we hit the sleeping pads, out on the lookout balcony.

The early morning light was wonderful. I popped up quickly and started my circumnavigations of the lookout, searching for the perfect light.

Here is the link to buy prints

and here is the link for Photo Tour details.

Morning at the Park Butte Lookout 2

Morning at the Park Butte Lookout

River

Sisters, Morning Light

Sunrise at Park Butte Lookout 3

Sunrise at Park Butte Lookout

Halloween Sale! 50% OFF All Prints!!!

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I am offering a special 50% OFF discount on all Canvas Wrapped Prints and Fine Art Prints.

Simply visit the Gallery Page (here) scroll through the images, find your favorite(s) click the image to see the sizes and options available and go to check out. Then enter the coupon code: HALLOWEEN and you’ll receive 50% your entire order!!!!

SALE ENDS OCTOBER 31st AT MIDNIGHT!
Winchester Lookout 3

Diablo Overlook Panorama

Diablo Overlook Panorama

Skagit Valley

Skagit Valley

Here are some details about:
Canvas Wrapped Prints: Our traditional gallery wraps feature wood frames and hand-stretched, top-quality canvas–not unlike those found in a typical art gallery. Our 1.5 inch thick wrap remains our most popular option, they are ready for display out of the box.

If you would like your Gallery Wrap framed, there are two categories of option: Floating Frames and Traditional Frames.

Floating Frames

Traditional Frames

Fine Art Print Options

Archival Watercolor Fine Art Paper A vellum surface (lightly textured) paper ideally suited for luxurious fine art. Listed size is the finished image, we also add a white 1″ border.
Archival Smooth Fine Art Paper A luxuriously smooth surface that delivers excellent dmax and color gamut. Listed size is the finished image, we also add a white 1″ border.
Photo Luster Paper Produces vivid, lifelike images that rival those of traditional silver halide prints. Listed size is the finished image, we also add a white 1″ border.
Rolled Canvas A museum-grade matte poly cotton blend that is a performance leader in color gamut, and print permanence. Listed size is the face of the canvas, we add room for the wrap edge as well as 2″ for stretching.

Baker River Trail – Fall Colors

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The Baker River Trail is at its best in the fall. The cool, clean, crisp air refresh your mind while the bright colors enliven the soul.

The trail is easy to get to, just follow the Baker Lake Road north from Highway 20 to its end (You need a NW Forest Pass to park). The trail starts right there and meanders along the west side of the river. The leaves on the ground create a magic carpet for your feet.

You’ll pass some huge grand trees, actually not just trees but patriarchs of the forest, old wise creatures standing guard over the River.

After only a quarter mile there is a suspension bridge spanning the azure waters. Go out on the span for wonderful views downstream as the river bends and the late afternoon light illuminates the colors on the east bank.

Continuing along your path the trail approaches the river at several points where you can easily scramble down 5 or 6 feet of embankment out on to gravel bars affording magnificent views of the wild river. Fall brings salmon to spawn and you can see their bright red bodies darting and splashing.

But don’t take my word for it, go see for yourself!

If you’d like to go on a Guided Fall Photo Tour, here are all the details!

Sunrise from Winchester Mountain

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Morning skies in the North Cascades

Morning skies in the North Cascades

This image is from Thursday morning Sept. 23, at about 5am. Taken atop Winchester Mountain, along the Mount Baker Highway in the North Cascades. That’s Venus, the bright light on the right.

Exposure: Canon 6D and Rokinon 14mm lens; f/2.8 at 30 seconds

The next Night Sky Photo Tour(s) are scheduled for October 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th. If you’d like to come along, here is the link!