The PNW might finally be warming up for spring. Or not.
It has been an unusual winter so far: a warm dry January, followed by a normal February, and then a cold and wet 2 weeks in March. And then an abnormal heat wave. While the El Nino has had an impact on the winter weather of the PNW, the upcoming weekend is going to break all spring temperature records. Its not only the Seattlites who probably are going to be befuddled and get sunburnt by heading outdoors, even the spring blossoms are likely to get disoriented.
Regardless, hiking outdoors may not all be sunshine and rainbows. There is still snow on the higher elevations. And the higher temperatures may lead to higher avalanche risk as well. Watch out.
Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
Reflections at Valhalla
This lake, out in the Cascades, is perhaps one of my most favorite lakes to visit during the summer. It offers clear reflections of the surrounding landscape, has a nearby viewpoint to get a birds eye view, and is just an easy backpack away. While the summer sees plenty of PCT hikers jostling for space on its still shores, the shoulder season is a great time to catch this alpine lake in the heart of the mountains.
Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
A New Winter
The winter has been slow to come by in the Pacific Northwest in 2023. A warmer than usual winter meant that snow fell instead as rain, and the precipitation has been lower than expected for this time of the year (60% of normal). The last week saw the first major winter storm to hit the mountains, coating the Cascades with the light layer of fluffy snow.
I managed to make one last hike out here before the holidays hoping to catch alpenglow on a snow-covered Mt Shuksan. This was one of the compositions I made while freezing out on a mountain-top.
Happy New Year. And here is to hoping 2024 is just as colorful.
Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
Winter sunrise
A while back, I sat down and thought about the effort that goes into sunrise photography, and I realized that it wasn't easy. It requires sacrificing sleep (and likely your previous night), hiking in the dark in unknown terrain, relying on multiple forecasts for a good sunrise and hoping they hold, and praying that you are not too late for the colors if they show up. In contrast, sunset photography is not as complex as there are fewer variables to consider since many of the unknowns become known. And if the forecast doesn't hold, you can always turn around. A colorful sunset is usually the 'icing on the cake' for a dayhike, whereas a colorful sunrise is the act you are putting all your hopes on and sacrificing a lot for.
This was one such sunrise for which I woke up at 2 in the morning and endured a 3hr drive and an hour of hiking to get to. Thankfully the forecast held, and the effort paid off.
You can purchase my 2024 calendar, which features the above image for December, at this link. And as before, all proceeds get donated to the Sierra Club Foundation
Mount Baker Wilderness
WA USA
Above the clouds
September in the PNW is truly the best time to explore the vast hinterlands of the Cascades. The temperatures are a bit cooler, the bugs are gone, fires usually die down, and the occasional storms provide for some photogenic cloudscapes. And it comes with the added bonus of delicious ripe blueberries and huckleberries waiting to be picked up. The stark changes in the hues of the landscape towards the end of the month is just icing on the cake.
I can't wait for the next year to see such mountaintop vistas once again.
You can purchase my 2024 calendar at this link.
Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
The border peaks
On the rugged terrain on the border with Canada are a set of three iconic peaks: Mt Larrabee, the American Border Peak and the Canadian Border Peak. A sunset view at any time of the year is spectacular. But at the right time of the year, the juxtaposition of colors, snow and light make for a memorable scene. Hope I can get to experience this once more before the season ends.
Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
The Sierras of Washington
I hardly expected to see a granite landscape in the PNW. The unique geology of the Cascades means that most of the granite is covered under thick layers of sediment, and only gets exposed in the higher elevations (unless its not already covered by snow, glaciers or even older metamorphic rocks). The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one of the few regions in Washington where it does become exposed.
Climbing up to this point took me to a wonderland quite reminiscent of the granite escarpments of the Sierra Nevadas. I was in a region with glistening blue lakes surrounded by tall cliffs, craggy rocks and snow-capped peaks. I can't wait to explore more of this region before the season ends.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
WA USA
Winter Maladies
I am a sucker for waking up early to catch a winter sunrise. But often, this is the only way to capture angelic trees poking through unspoilt powder glazed in an iridescent hue of blue and purple. I remember this particular winter morning primarily because of how cold the summit was and how beautiful the conditions were. I had also contemplated flying a drone out for some aerial photography, but my fingers were frozen solid within just a few minutes of arriving here.
Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
Forgetting Winter
With 12hr+ days, we may be officially in Spring, but that doesn't mean winter weather isn't over yet in the Pacific Northwest. It will be a long time before the gleaming white snow capping the Cascades slowly melt away. And in the meanwhile, you can still get beautiful winter landscapes like these.
Which one do you prefer? 1 or 2?
Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
Feathered Dust
I was exploring the snowy landscape of Mt. Baker Wilderness last week right after a fresh storm had dumped a few inches of snow. I had attempted to hike up in the dead of the night to catch a sunrise, but it was not as spectacular as I had hoped. The saving grace was observing the motion of snow as the gusts of wind picked it up and blew it around like sand.
Mt Baker Wilderness
WA USA