Vistas of Skagit Valley

Posted on by

Skagit valley stretches a long way from Ross Lake to Anacortes. Along the way there are many promontory spots from which to view its magnificence!

Diablo Lake is a emerald jewel at the foot of Colonial Peak.

Sauk Mountain rises more than 5,000 feet above the valley

Sauk Mountain
Sauk Mountain

Samish Overlook affords spectacular views of the valley.

Samish Overlook
Samish Overlook
Samish Overlook

Mount Erie and Cap Sante in Anacortes are wonderful vistas.

Cap Sante
Cap Sante
Cap Sante
Mt Erie
Mt Erie
Mt Erie

2021 Washington State Scenic Calendars are now on sale! Here is the link to see the images and order your copy!

An evenings walk near Conway

Posted on by

There is a boat ramp and you can walk atop the dike, along Dike Road, near Conway.

The South Fork of the Skagit River is nearby.

Several of the farms nearby have wonderful old barns…

Here are a few images.

Skagit River Images

Posted on by

The Skagit River plays a very big role in life here in the valley. Transportation; electricity; salmon; irrigation; and more are centered around the river.

The early days of white settlers along the Skagit River are chronicled here quite well, in the Skagit River Journal.

Traveling along and across the river affords some good opportunities to capture images, from time to time. These are some recent images, some over the last few years of journeys.

Fir Island Sunrise

Posted on by

Its always good to start any day with a colorful sunrise. Some nice clouds, water for reflections, a wide panoramic view…maybe some mountains off in the distance all make the scene perfect.

These images are from two very recent visits to Fir Island sunrise.

Sunday, November 24

Thursday, November 28

The broad expanse of sky, over the ocean and mouth of the Skagit River. There are several vista spots alone Fir Island Road, most require a Discover Pass.

2020 Night Sky Calendars are available here.

Interested in a Photo Tour? Tulip Photo Tours in April are now filling up fast. 

Night Sky Photo Tours are my favorite! More info here. 

Skagit River and Mount Baker

Posted on by

Not long ago I saw an image of Skagit River with Mt Baker looming above. It was a gorgeous image and started me on a hunt.

I have been here in Skagit Valley for 15 years now and have never encountered a vista that encompassed both the Mountain and the River. Skagit River runs east to west through the valley and Baker sits about 10 miles to the north.

A short study of the map revealed that there are several spots where the Skagit turns back on itself so that you can look “down the river” and right at Mt Baker. I started my search along the Concrete Sauk Valley Road, looking to visit the confluence of the Sauk and Skagit Rivers. It was a lot of fun tooling about, on both sides of the river, scouting for views, vistas, and access trails down to the gravel bars along the river.

Here are a few pics from my endeavors:

After a bit of search I finally found a spot along the Concrete-Sauk Valley Road where you can scramble down to the gravel bar and out to this view: Looking north to Mt Baker, from the Skagit River

Skagit River and Mount Baker
Skagit River and Mount Baker
Skagit River and Mount Baker

 

Vistas of Skagit Valley

Posted on by

Always in the hunt for new vistas of Skagit Valley, here are some of the vistas I’ve visited in the last few years.

Sauk Mountain
North Cascades and Skagit River
Mt Erie
Cap Sante
Samish Overlook
Mt Erie
Sauk Mtn and Skagit River
Ross Lake
Big Rock
Samish Overlook
Double Rainbows over Fir Island
Diablo Lake
Samish Overlook
Cap Sante
Samish Overlook
Mt Erie
Washington Park
Padilla Bay
Sauk Mountain
Sauk Mountain
Big Rock
La Conner
Ross Lake
Samish River
Valley Sunset
Samish Overlook
Skagit River
Mt Erie

Fir Island Sunset

Posted on by

Fir Island is located at the mouth of the Skagit River. You can get there from Best Road, go west on Rawlins until the road stops and start walking. Its very wet and soggy, in the best of times.

There is sort of a trail that leads out to the closest mound of rock. Its an easy relaxing walk. The sky is filled with sounds.

I make it to the small hill and climb up for the view. The mouth of the Skagit River sweeps out to the sound.

The sun is starting to set and so I head back.

Soon I am assaulted by waves of color.

Its hard to keep walking.