Recent Night Sky Images

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Andy Porter

Over the past 3 weeks I have visited the Pasayten Wilderness, the Glacier Peak Wilderness, Winchester Mountain Lookout (twice), Artist Point – for a North Cascades Institute Class and the Diablo Overlook – for a North Cascades National Park class.

The Glacier Peak trip was not during ht e new moon, but I was able to get a few good shots early in the night, before moon rise. I was out working to capture an image of the tent at Upper Lyman Lake, with the Milky Way behind, over Spider Gap. I could clearly hear and animal sniffing around. It was a deer, come to find place where anyone peed, to lick the spot for any lingering salt.

: Glacier Peak Wilderness

: Glacier Peak Wilderness

: Glacier Peak Wilderness

I decided to see if I could capture the deer in the image, and it worked pretty well!

The Winchester Mountain Look out is a perfect place to spend the night and shoot night sky images…

: Artist Point

: Winchester Lookout

: Winchester Mountain

The Night Sky Photo Class that I lead though the North Cascades Institute was held at Artist Point. There were 14 of us, we parked at the Artist Point rest area and started to hike to Huntoon Point. There were more than 50 other night sky photo enthusiasts there, all out along the same trail! We asked and were told that they were all from Vancouver, BC! The skies got cloudy, but we managed a few shots.

: Artist Point

: Artist Point

: Artist Point

The last class was on Aug. 1st, another Night Sky Photo Class, this one through the North Cascades National Park, as a part of the NPS Centennial. About 15 people arrived and we hung out at the overlook, trying to learn the basic tools of night sky capture.

There are two New Moons in September, on the 1st and 30th! If you’re interested in a Night Sky Photo Tour, here are the details!

Washington Pass Meadows

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Andy Porter

Washington Pass is located along the North Cascades Highway. It is the high point along the route, at more than 5,000 feet.

There is a Lookout there, a parking area and a short trail leads to the overlook.

I have been there dozens of times, and only this last week discovered the wonderful meadows nearby, when I was there for North Cascades Photo Tours.

Here are a few pics!

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

Night Sky at Washington Pass Overlook

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Andy Porter

Photographing the Night Sky at Washington Pass Overlook, along the North Cascades Highway is spectacular.

Far away from any ambient light the skies are dark.

The looming peak of Liberty Bell Mountain and the hairpin curve of the highway below add to the scene.

This is one of the top locations I use for the North Cascades Night Sky Tours.

Here are some images from my many visits.

: Liberty Bell, North Cascades Highway

: Liberty Bell

: Liberty Bell, North Cascades Highway

: Liberty Bell from the North Cascades Highway

: Liberty Bell

: Liberty Bell

Cascade Loop Magazine 2016

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Andy Porter

The Cascade Loop Magazine is a tourist guide that comes out every spring. It covers all the cool things to do, places to see, great spots to eat and nice hotels to stay in along the Loop.

The 400 mile route crosses the North Cascades twice, along Highway 2 (between Everett and Wenatchee) and again along Highway 20 between Burlington and Winthrop.

Here is the cover of this years publication, an image I captured last year along the Maple Pass Loop Trail.

The magazine is filled with stunning images of places along the way. Here are a few of my images that made it into this years issue.

If you are planning a trip along the Loop and would like to go on a North Cascades Photo Tour, here is the link with details.

And if you would like to own a beautiful, high quality Canvas Wrapped Print of the scenery along the way, here is a gallery where you can purchase them for yourself.

: Tulip Festival

: Samish Overlook

: Camped along Baker River

: Liberty Bell

: Diablo Overlook Panorama

: Sunset on Copper Ridge

Diablo Overlook, North Cascades Highway

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Andy Porter

Last night I drove up the North Cascades Highway to do a Photo Tour Slide Show for campers at the Colonial Creek Camp ground in North Cascades National Park.

I got there a little early and tooled up a bit further to the Diablo Overlook. The green waters of Diablo Lake and the suns rays as the sunset approached were stunning.

Diablo Overlook

Lake Ann – Maple Pass Loop

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Andy Porter

On July 1 I hiked the Lake Ann – Maple Pass Loop. Usually this trail does not open (due to snow) until late July or even August. But the trail was completely snow free from top to bottom.

I started late to get the evening light. Here are a few images. Oh, and there were a few wildflowers.

If you’d like to go on a North Cascades Photo Tour and get shots like this, here is the place to find out more and sign up!

Lake Ann from Maple Pass

Maple Pass Trail

North Cascades Hike: Lake Ann – Maple Pass Loop

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Andy Porter

Lake Ann

The feeling of exhilaration from being in the mountains is unsurpassed. Sweat and strain, fresh air and a cool breeze, a lake reflected and gathering clouds: these are all part of what makes the trip Great.

The Maple Pass Loop trail starts at Rainy Pass, on the North Cascades Highway. Ascending through the brush and out into the sun a first view whets your desire for more.

Swinging around the head of a small basin you soon plunge back into the cool forest.

Now the climbing becomes more insistent. The trail angles up along the side of a ridge and switchbacks heavenward. Lake Ann beckons below, her silvery waters calling.