Pasayten Panoramas: I love larches!

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Andy Porter

These 4 shots are all from a trip I took to the Pasayten Wilderness 2 years ago. I went over 4 days in the first week of October to see the larch turn bright orange. What a sight!
Each shot is two images stitched using CS 6 Photomerge. Before I merged them I opened the two shots as RAW images, synchronized them, and made slight changes to exposure, lens aberration and then using brushes made mods to the highlights/shadows. Once merged I tweaked them a little, but not much. Overall I am pretty happy with them, they are a HUGE improvement over my earlier efforts.

These first two are Amphitheater Mountain from just east of Cathedral Pass. Interesting how the larch form a band across the slopes…

These last two are from the other side of Cathedral Pass, near Upper Cathedral Lake. This trail, known as the Boundary Trail (it runs parallel to the Canada border) is a part of the Pacific Northwest Trail.

Wildflowers of Washington

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Andy Porter

My three favorite places to experience wildflower explosions are:
1. The Pasayten Wilderness. Here you’ll hike through acres of nothing but wildflowers, as far as you can see. And I don’t mean clumps of flowers here and there, but solid unending hillsides and ridgetops.

2. Goat Rocks Wilderness. The south side of the Goat Rocks, along the PCT near Snowgrass Flats has some of the brightest, most colorful, died and gone to flower heaven displays.

3. Sahale Arm, North Cascades National Park. Here the backdrop for the flowers is absolutely magnificent, the jagged peaks surrounding Cascade Pass juxtaposing with the flowers for a truly breathtaking effect.

A Stormy Night Atop Devils Dome

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Andy Porter

We arrived atop Devils Dome late in the afternoon and set up camp.
Though we were atop the peak snow fields nearby supplied us with water. The sunset was magnificent, but we watched it from inside our tent mesh because the mosquitoes were ravenous.
Devils Dome affords a 360 degree view of Jack Mountain, to the south, Hozomeen to the north, The glaciated peaks of North Cascades National Park to the west and a broad expanse of the Pasayten to the east.

After a wonderful dinner we quickly went to sleep excited about the beauty tomorrow promised.

Something woke me up. I lay for a moment with eyes closed, sensing. There was a stillness, which was odd seeing that I was camped on a mountain top, and the smell of rain in the air. Suddenly opening my eyes I saw that the sky was clouded over. I lay for another moment reluctantly picturing myself getting up and putting the rain fly on the tent when I saw the flicker of lightning in the eastern sky. I sat up looking…there was another flash…and another.

Quickly exiting the tent I stood scanning the sky. There was lightning to the east…then to the south, then again, to the west…the dark tumultuous sky was alive with flashes, the peaks briefly illuminated and then again black shapes…I looked on in wonder…and then it stated raining.

I quickly awoke my two companions and let them know that they needed to get up, get dressed and get out of the tent and give me a hand. At first they were both saying, “why don’t you just put on the rain fly and get back in, go back to sleep…” and I replied that if they stayed in the tent that they would miss the lightning show…that provided sufficient motivation and they were soon out of the tent, looking at the skies. The lightning was getting more intense, more frequent…we could see the glow of a fire to the west, over towards Ross Lake and the National Park boundary.

My plan was simple: get the rain fly on the tent, throw all our stuff in it, don our rain gear and then lie on the grass and watch the show. But my two friends had other ideas. One strongly advised that we immediately depart and head down the mountain to find shelter from the lightning. My other friend insisted on a more simple approach: do nothing and simply enjoy the storm. I started with the rain fly and loading the tent and soon they came to assist me.

Some one came up with the idea of planting our trekking poles in the ground, well away from the tent, to act as lightning rods (!). And so, now somewhat content with our preparations, we all watched.

The rain started to come down now. The wind picked up, strong gusts blowing across the summit. The flashes became more insistent, more frequent. With each flash the ridges between us suddenly appeared out of darkness, and then…gone back to my imagination, leaving lasting imprints of what had just been illuminated. From our vantage point we could see what looked like 6 or so fires burning…

On three sides of us there were regular flashes, every few seconds, another, and then another. The wind and rain continued unabated. In fact they increased along with the regularity of the lightning, each building to a crescendo. The lightning now seemed to take on a reddish hue, then green or blue (was it just my imagination?)

Transfixed by the sheer beauty, we had front row seats for natures own fireworks show, the best we had ever seen. Just as I was starting to edge towards getting the hell out of there the tempest began to lessen, the wind shifted. The lightning to the west, which seemed to head towards us, stopped.

And that was it! The storm cell had passed us by. The lightning to the east faded out and in its place we could now see the faint hint of the sun.

The date was 08/08/08. This was the opening night of the Olympics in Bejing, and we mused that the fireworks we had just seen surpassed theirs, hands down. It was also the scheduled date for the start up of the Large Hadron Collider and we considered that the lightning storm was a direct result of the resultant black holes now devouring earth. These points we avidly debated, but all agreed that the peak was rightly named: Devils Dome.

As the excitement died down my friends retired to sleep and I ventured forth to catch some of the morning light.

The Pasayten Wilderness is one of my favorite places in Washington, a land of mountains and rivers, steep valleys and meadows, wildflowers and zen like peace. This experience, on day 6 of our twelve day trek which started at the Canyon Creek Trail head on the North Cascades Highway.

Our journey was just getting started…

Fall Colors, Larches, Cathedral Peak and Amphitheater Mountain

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Andy Porter

The rain has set in and the days are short. Avoiding boredom necessitates a little creativity, which for me includes revisiting past hikes, editing images and trying to fashion a reasonable representation of a place.

The approach is from Tonasket, west to Loomis and then up the Toats Coulee Road to the Iron Gate Trail head.

The sky was blue and trees bright.
Iron Gate Trail Head Trees

The trip along the Boundary Trail (Doubling as the Pacific Northwest Trail) offer long vistas, green forests and in early October, brilliant orange larch.
Boundary Trail

Windy Peak

The trail is a lot of fun, the old Tungsten Mine is an interesting place to explore, and Apex Pass provides sweeping views of Remmel Mountain and the east side the of Amphitheater Mountain.
Remmel Mountain
The larch inhabit a band between 6,000 and 7,000 feet of elevation.
Amphitheater Mountain

Arriving at Cathedral Pass its a short stroll down to water and reflective views!
Cathedral Pass
Not a bad place to camp!
Cathedral Peak

Amphitheater Mountain, Reflected in a snow-melt pond

Heading down a little ways to Upper Cathedral Lake just before sunset provides all you need for a true orgy of picture taking!

Back up at the camp site the setting sun made the trees look even more afire!

The sensory overload was fun!

The hike back provided more changes in colors…

The trees along the road had a decidedly different look after only 4 days…

Using Reflections

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Andy Porter

Reflections can add greatly to any photograph. There is something striking about reflections, they add depth, color, scale, texture and sort of pull you into the image.
Mount Shuksan
Cypress Island

One item you’ll need to capture reflections is a polarizer. Try to position yourself at a 45 degree to the light for best results and as you rotate the polarizer you’ll see the reflection pop out. Be prepared to get low, maybe on your belly to get the shot!

Pond along Reiter Road
Boats along Samish Bay

I am always on the hunt for any size body of water.
Balloon reflected in a artificial “pond”
Sunset Through an Open Window

Small puddles work great!
Liberty Bell from Washington Pass Overlook along the North Cascades Highway

The water does not have to be clear!
Tulips Reflected
Mud Puddle Reflection

Even wet surfaces can create wonderful reflections.
Reflections in Sand

Everytime you see any standing water, try for a reflection!
Amphitheater Mountain Reflected, Pasayten Wilderness

Squalicum Bay

Sunset and Muddy Water

Wildflowers of the Pasayten Wilderness

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Andy Porter

The Pasayten Wilderness is located in Washington State along the Canadian Border. Stretching east from Ross Lake the mountains here are drier than the North Cascades National Park, on the other side of the lake. Long ridges, endless meadows filled with wildflowers and solitude is what you’ll find here in the Pasayten.
Here are a few images from an earlier trip…cant wait until July when I’ll be headed back out there on another long trek…
Pasayten Wilderness Wildflowers on the Pacific Crest Trail

Jack Mountain and wildflowers from Devils Dome

Pasayten Wilderness Wildflowers on the PCT

Pasayten Wilderness Wildflowers

Em and Jack Mountain

Joker Mountain from the Three Fools Trail

Ross Lake from the Lightning Creek Trail

Lakeview Ridge, Pasayten Wilderness

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Andy Porter

View from Lakeview Ridge

The highest point of the Pacific Crest Trail (7,126′) in Washington State is Lakeview Ridge in the Pasayten Wilderness. Only 8 miles south of the Canadian Border, Lakeview Ridge is a grand and dramatically fitting end to the 2,650-mile long trail.

Of course you don’t have to hike 2,642 miles to get there! The easiest approach is from the Harts Pass road just below Slate Peak. Here is a junction with the PCT, at more than 7,000 feet elevation and it is about a 20 mile hike to arrive there.

Incidentally, the Pacific Northwest Trail, stretching from Montana to the Pacific also travels this section of trail once known simply as the Cascade Crest.

Take Highway 20 to Mazama (just north of Winthrop) and follow the Harts Pass road 18 miles to Harts Pass. It can be a bit of a white knuckle drive! This is the highest place you can drive a car in the state.

The Pasayten Wilderness is more than half a million acres of splendor. Long ridges, endless meadows carpeted in herbaceous wildflowers, dotted with copses of larch and punctuated with stark crags that fill the horizon…
Three Fools Peak and wildflowers

No permits are needed for hiking, you can bring a dog and camp where you like.

The trail slowly descends towards Holman Pass and then makes a gentle ascent towards Rock Pass.

Before the pass is a fantastic place to camp near a spring, just below Powder Mountain. Tiny Goat Lakes are an easy jaunt away…
Campsite below Goat Lakes

From Rock Pass the trail makes a slight dip, traversing a steep gully, before rising to Woody Pass. Here the trail crosses the Cascade Crest and views appear west to Mount Baker and the Picket Range. Rock Pass

On the Pacific Crest Trail, headed north towards Lakeview Ridge

The trail maintains its elevation as it heads north towards our destination. The views are superb. Rounding a last finger ridge you now start the final ascent to the top of the ridge.
Final section of trail

Snow lingers here well into august, so water is usually not an issue. .

There are many wonderfully scenic spots to pitch your tent. The only problem is deciding exactly which awesome view you want from your front door.
Looking north towards Jack Mountain

Three Fools Peak is the most prominent peak. Framed in lupines and paintbrush its dark, triangular visage juxtaposes nicely. Three Fools Peak and Paintbrush

Smoky Mountain and Soda Peak, due east, form a colorful backdrop to the lakes below.
Three Fools Peak, Smoky Mountain and Soda Peak

To the north Castle Peak, Freeze Out and Joker Mountains guard one of the most remote parts of the wilderness, near Elbow Basin. Looking north, down the Devils Stairway to Hopkins Lake

To the west, across Ross Lake a sea of peaks rise, their many glaciers gleaming in the sun.

Wildflowers bloom well into August atop the ridge. The bright colors demanding that you take lots of pictures.

With out a doubt one of the best campsites in Washington, one I will visit again!

Amphitheater Mountain from Upper Cathedral Lake

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Andy Porter

Amphitheater Mountain from Upper Cathedral Lake, Pasayten Wilderness, on the Pacific Northwest Trail

Wildflowers in the Mist, Pasayten Wilderness

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Andy Porter

Wildflowers in the Mist, Pasayten Wilderness. Along the Devils Dome Trail

On the Pacific Crest Trail in the Pasayten Wilderness

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Andy Porter

Heading north on the Pacific Crest Trail from Slate Peak the trail slowly looses altitude on its way down to Holman Pass.

Sunset at Jim Pass
Here is a junction with the western option heading towards Devils Dome and trail to the east down to the Pasayten River. Continuing north the trail gains all the altitude you just lost, popping out of the forest into the splendid meadows just below Goat Lakes.
There is a dependable spring here and camping in the meadows is spectacular.

Meadows just below tiny Goat Lakes
Continuing the trail makes a sweeping arc as it climbs to Rock Pass. Powder Mountain.

Wildflowers and Powder Mountain
The view from Rock Pass is unsurpassed.

Rock Pass Panorama
Dropping down several switchbacks the trail traverses the north-facing slopes on its way to Woody Pass. here the snow lingers late into the season.

After climbing again to the notch of Woody Pass the trail now swings to the western side of the Cascade Crest in its way to the highest point of the trail on this section at Lakeview Ridge.

Rock Pass, seen from Woody Pass
The views, the flowers, from the ridge are impossible to beat. snow abounds until mid or late August and camping here is incredible.

Atop Lakeview Ridge

Three Fools Peak
Its a 25 mile hike here from the parking area at Slate Peak, one of the very best out and back trips in the North Cascades.