Lake Chelan in eastern Washington is a wonderfully friendly and scenic space. At the south end of the lake sits the resort town of Chelan. Here are a few images of sunset from the hills above Chelan, from last weekend.
The local area is filled with orchards and wineries, spring is a wonderful time for a visit. Chelan is part of the Cascade Loop, so you can get all sorts of info for your trip at the Cascade Loop page.
Sauk Mountain Wildflowers start blooming in July. Exactly when in July varies from year to year depending upon how much snow accumulated from the winter and how warm the spring.
As soon as you leave the parking lot the trail is fringed with flowers. The first long, easy switch backs afford views out along the river and up, following the zig zag of trail to the top.
Along the way views of Mount Baker appear.
Rounding the shoulder of the mountain Sauk Lake comes into view and a trail leading to its shores. Lilies, Columbine, Lupine and more carpet the meadows.
I try to get up there several times each year. These images are from an overnight visit in July 2017.
Day Hike and Overnight Photo Tours are available here!
Waiting for sunset is pleasure. The warm glow of late afternoon light envelops us.
The next morning’s light invites us to linger a while.
As I started to review images from this year, the theme of “National Parks” kept coming to me. So here are some of my best images from 5 National Parks this year…
I visited Zion NP for the 4th time, always a marvel…
Here is an image from a new place, for me: Double Alcove Arch!
And for those who have not heard of the Subway…
“The Subway”, Zion National Park
The Subway, Zion National Park
They say the night skies at Bryce are magical…they say right! This is from a short 2 day trip to Bryce in April…
Milky Way, Bryce Canyon National Park
I have visited this park more than all others combined. I made the boat ride this year to Hozomeen, along the shores of Ross Lake near the Canada Border, and spent a night at Hozomeen Lake…
Hozomeen Lake, North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park turns 50 in 2018! Here is a link to a wonderful new book, by Lauren Danner, “Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating North Cascades National Park” which chronicles the efforts of many to create NCNP.
And a shout out to my all time favorite camping place, Sahale Glacier Camp.
Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park
My only trip this year, out west to the Olympic NP was back in February… as always dreaming of my return…
Sea Stacks at Point of the Arches, Olympic National park
I just returned from a Christmas trip to Yellowstone…Cold, crisp mornings, with no one about…I am still digesting the wonder of the place…
Oh, and here is my favorite image from 2017:
Winchester Lookout and the Aurora Borealis, North Cascades
Star Trails above Winchester Lookout, Northern Lights on the horizon
To purchase prints, here is the link.
For information on North Cascades Photo Tours, this is the place!
And, 2018 Calendars are still available! Get them while they last!.
I spent 5 nights at Yellowstone, 3 at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and 2 nights at Mammoth Springs.
Here are a few images.
Always a tough call, which images to include for the next calendar… 14 images (12 months and front/back covers)
Please vote your fave in each category in the “Leave a Reply” section below.
Choice number 1:
I want to use one of these sunset shots from the Samish Overlook, which do you fancy? Choose your favorite and second fave.
Choice 2: View of Clear Lake from Big Rock: Which?
Choice 3: Samish Island Sunset. Which?
Choice 4:
Tulips: Whats your first and second favorites?
Choice 5: Night Sky – Pick your two favorites
Choice 6: Scenic View: Pick your top two.
Here are a few pictures that have already made the cut:
The 2018 Calendars come off the press ready to ship by the end of October!
I arrived very early one February morning, at the Coupeville Ferry dock to catch the 7am boat to Port Townsend, on my way to Point of the Arches, in Olympic National Park.
As I drove the sky got better and better, I paid and parked, got some images of the boat arriving from Port Townsend.
I dont know if Ive ever seen a better sunrise, the colors were unbelievable. I have not edited the sky in these images, just the foregrounds a bit.
The ferry loaded, and I roamed the decks and passageways marveling in the most sumptuous light.
Fir Island lies in the Skagit River delta. It is the winter home for snow geese and other migratory water fowl.
Mount Rainier National Park is the crown jewel of Washington State.
“Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning six major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.”
Mount Rainier is a 3+ hour drive from my home. I live on the North Cascades Highway, right down the road from North Cascades National Park, and so I don’t make the drive down there too often, not often enough!
But I have ventured a few times south and here are some pictures of this magnificent park!
Here is a link for more information about Washington State Photo Tours.
And here is the link to purchase Canvas Prints of this magnificent jewel.
Last night I was leading a Night Sky Photography Class at the North Cascades Institute.
The class went very well, due in major part to the clear skies we were lucky enough to have.
I spent most of my time advising and helping people get their settings right and compose images, but I did manage to get a few cool images as well.
This image is of Diablo Lake and Ross Dam. The snow in the foreground adds a nice balance to the image.
As I awaited the students to return to the vans for the ride back to NCI I wandered out towards the highway and saw a sign for the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway.
This and the road and starry sky presented a wonderful opportunity.
I lead Night Sky Photo Tours each month, when there is no moon. This link gives the dates for each month this year (through September) as well as other details and a way to register for your own adventure!
Night Sky and North Cascades Photo Tours are available for anyone. We can arrange to do a Drive-In tour, where we stop along the North Cascades Highway of the Mount Baker Highway to capture images, OR we can arrange hiking tours (both day hikes and overnights) to more remote locations in the North Cascades as well.
And lastly, spring is not too far off! Book your self a Skagit Valley Tulip Photo Tour!
The North Fork Bridge Creek Trail is one of the most scenic trails in the 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.
The 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. 
To 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. 
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!
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 