The false summer that the PNW underwent over the last week certainly gave a taste of the next few months. But in the mountains, the winter is still hanging around. The higher elevations still hides pristine snow-capped landscapes that would continue to draw winter adventurers up to the mountains for a few more weeks.
Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA
It's still winter
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
Winter escapes
In a PNW winter, the high summits of the Cascades or the Olympics beckon us to hike through wooded lowland trails, cross deep banks of snow, traverse icy ridges and reach rocky summits. And if you are lucky, you would be the first person of the day to break trail. When the conditions are right, the PNW rewards you with a remarkable experience: traversing through powder snow under bluebird skies to guide you to panoramic vistas of icy peaks, sun-kissed summits and rocky ridges. Higher up, conical edifices of conifers that braved the winter storms dot the soft embankments of white, resembling ancient creatures traversing slowly through the snow.
This year is quite unlike any other. With higher than average temperatures, the snowline and snowpack have receded to historically unprecedented levels. Whether it is a temporary quirk of nature or a symptom of a longer-term climactic pattern, the coldest month in the PNW has proved not to be. So here are scenes from prior years of the blue and white jewels of the PNW.
National Parks of Washington
USA
A Slow Winter
The winter weather in the PNW has been a mixed bag so far. Freezing conditions with light precipitation, followed by much milder conditions and moderate precipitation. Neither are great for catching the classic winter landscapes of the PNW.
So here is one from an earlier time when the winter weather actually followed through, and thoughtfully provided a gap during a weekend to catch the powder.
Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA
Blues and Reds
Seasons Greetings
A few days earlier, I posted about the difficulty of capturing sunrises since it is so hard to predict when and how the colors would hit, and whether there would be a 'burn' of significant color. This particular sunrise, featured above, had everything going for it. Until the last moment. The colors just tinged the horizon a few dozen miles away, and spread nowhere else. In this frame, I tried to make the most of the 'burn'.
Tahoma State Forest
WA USA
Winter Wonderland
With 2024 just a month away, I decided to pencil some time to create a calendar that captured memorable places that I had the opportunity to explore over the last 12 months. They predominantly feature scenes from the Pacific Northwest which I am blessed to call as home. But it also includes many places off the beaten track for most, including the remote National Park of the American Samoa, the Caucasus mountains of Georgia and the swamps of Congaree.
And as I do every year, I want to dedicate this calendar to the incredible people at the Sierra Club Foundation which helps protect our public lands and waters. All proceeds will be donated to this organization so that their journey can continue. You can buy this calendar at this link.
This image that you see is the January photo of the calendar.
Tahoma State 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
The March to Spring
The snow-covered landscape is a blanket of white and silence.
But underneath, the plants and seeds are waiting for sun's guidance.
As winter moves to spring and the days grow longer,
The mountain landscape transitions to a climate more warmer.
It is bittersweet to be at the end of winter. While I know that a delightful summer is about to descend onto the PNW and reveal its true colors, there is something about a snow-covered landscape on a crisp and sunny winter day that I will sorely miss.
Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA
Morning Hues
Its March, and Spring is yet to arrive as the winter is still going on in full blast in the Pacific Northwest. But the sun rises more than an hour earlier compared to the solstice, and hikes to catch the morning glow have proven to be more challenging. And that means I won't get to see the pre-dawn colors of a winter-wonderland until the end of the year. But I do have plenty of photos from this hike late last year, and that will have to do.
Mount Tahoma State Forest
WA USA
Winter Blues
It is going to be a frigid weak ahead. Icy winds from the north will push the mercury to below freezing in the latter half of the week. And it is likely going to result in conditions that create this scene over the weekend.
How are you going to prepare for the cold wave?
Olympic National Park
WA USA