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
A Dante'ing Sunrise
Getting to Dante's view in Death Valley requires driving on a twisty mountain road from near the lowest point on the continent. And trying to get to this spectacular view point at sunrise requires commitment of a different sort. And yet, I was able to convince my entire family to wake up at dawn and make our way to the freezing summit at Dante's view to catch the sunrise.
Thankfully it did not disappoint. It was cold, windy, and extremely colorful. The eastern sky slowly changed from crimson to pastel tinges as the sun cleared the horizon. At the same time, shafts of light lit up the the mellow eastern slopes of the Panamint range, lighting the highest point in the National Park. Down below was Badwater basin, a salt flat at the lowest point in the Park that served as the drainage for the elongated valley.
It was very hard to take it all, especially with freezing winds blasting from the east. But it was worth the trip.
Death Valley National Park
CA 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
A Blissful State
I always build time into my hike for a moment of self reflections. Being so high in the mountains, where the air is thin, and views stretch for miles, offers one a wonderful opportunity for slowing down, and evaluating not only oneself, but the life around them. Whether it be spending the moment to take in the scenery and admire nature, or to introspect about your part in the wider community, the moment of zen is critical to appreciating the reason to get outdoors. Even if you are with friends, it pays to take time off to de-stress in nature
Here was a group doing this high in the Cascades.
North Cascades National Park
WA USA
Winterfell
A fresh bout of cold weather hit the Pacific Northwest after an unseasonably long warm winter. Temperatures dropped to freezing, and fresh snowfall added inches to the mountains. While I won't be able to enjoy the winter this year, I can always fall back on my archives of photos from past winters.
Here are a selected few from different Pacific Northwest locations. The reflections of trees in the first is my personal favorite of the three due to the abstract reflections on the wintry pond.
WA USA
Moment of Zen
I live in a land of mountains, and yet I can only enjoy the purity of that experience while on a mountain-top. Up here, the distances shrink, time expands, and silence reverberates. It is meditative and rejuvenating. This is nature's healing hands.
King County
WA USA
Horizon Blues
The thick fog of the cold morning dispersed slowly into the valleys as the sun rose, highlighting the jagged ridges of innumerable ranges. The icy summit of Glacier peak stood alone in the distance, and yet so near I almost could touch it.
Scenes like these are the perks of being able to get here early in the morning. And they far outweigh the effort of waking up and driving in the lonely pitch black night. Here is to hoping I can make it out to these places once again this summer.
Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA
Nature's Palette
This crisp fall day out in the Pacific Northwest showcases the best of nature's color palette: blue skies with the right amount of haze, a foreground of vibrant reds amidst lush green vegetation interspersed by the dark green of the conifers and the emerald blues of an alpine lake. The balmy temperatures and the receding scent of a misty morning proved to be the perfect antidote for a stressful week. And even though I was huffing and puffing my way up there, the airy views of the sublime PNW scenery more than made up for it.
North Cascades National Park
WA USA
Summer Blues
Lake Tahoe has two faces: a winter side where skiers congregate from all over to enjoy the soft puffy powder, and a summer side where azure blue waters draw vacationers to an aquatic bliss.
Which face do you enjoy?
Lake Tahoe
CA USA
Summer in Rainier
Summer hiking in Mount Rainier can take one from lush old-growth lowland forests to subalpine wildflower meadows and to the high alpine reaches strewn with old volcanic debris. It is one of the few places in the world where you can experience the varied ecology of all the three life zones within just a few miles. No wonder crowds of tourists throng the Park in the summer.
It was for this reason that the Park instituted a reservation system to control the visitation numbers, and ensure that the fragile ecology is preserved for a long time to come.
Reservations open up 3 months in advance. Make sure to snag one to capture the beauty of summer in Mount Rainier. Read more about it here.
Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA