Yesterday we took the scenic drive through North Cascades National Park and beyond. Our hopes were to see Larches in their fall glory. We may have been a little early, but they were gold near the tree line. Larches are conifers that drop their needles. We see them as the occasional landscape plant, but wanted to see them in more natural settings. We stopped at lots of little overlooks - the reason we didn't make it to Hart's Pass.
This first photo was taken in deep shade by a shaky hand (mine) but I love it anyway. The rocks on this part of the overlook trail were drenched in moss. I think DER found the only non-mossy spot.
This is Rainy Lake - the destination of a short paved, handicapped accessible trail. At the top rim of the cirque you can see some larches. Along this trail we met two schnauzers named Max and Rainy. Rainy is 17 years old and got piggy backed to the trail for the first time in her annual trip to Rainy Lake. On the trail back down from Rainy Lake some gray jays flew right over our heads so close we could feel the air move from the beat of their wings.
This is the view from Washington Pass. Well it is really only part of the view. You walk out on to this promontory of rock and find yourself almost completely surrounded by mountains. It is stunning.
More views of this area to follow.
At higher elevations the huckleberry had turned it's glorious red. The granite outcrop was easy to walk on - a very grippy surface.
More Washington Pass views with larches. We were a little late in the day to get the best light for this spot, but it was spectacular - even as the mountains cast their shadows over the valley floor. DER did some homework on larches. They are deciduous conifers that don't like competition - hence their propensity for the tree line locations. Losing their needles helps them survive the cold during the winter.
One of the features of this area are a series of lakes formed by damming the Skagit River. Diablo Lake is one of these lakes. Diablo Lake is below Ross Lake which stretches up over the Canadian border. The tourquoise blue color is typical of glacier fed lakes.
Yes, the vine maple was changing color, but the sunlight on the maple was hard to comeby and there were not good picture opportunities. You'll just have to imagine the color licking up the ravines and water ways as if they were aflame.
I find my pictures a rather sorry representation of the beauty of the day. I'm kind of glad to know my eye and my heart can still see more than a camera.
5 comments:
You know, that happens to me all the time when I take photos -- they just don't get the real deal. Isn't it great to be able to also have the photos in your mind? In any case, I thought these photos were AMAZING!! It's funny how we sometimes travel 1/2 way around the world to see the same kinds of things that are practically in your backyard! Not to say we shouldn't travel abroad because we should, but we should definitely also not miss the things that are close to home and part of who we are.
For two years we made an annual trip up to washington to see family and seeing these photos has made me miss it all the more. THough Utah boasts lots of lovely scenery. We're heading up to the hancock's cabin this coming weekend and are looking forwards to the majesty of yellowstone and hopefully Grand Teton.
Ah, blessed, blessed nature!
oh, that was mary. It's now John's computer so I should get used to it by now--but I guess I haven't :).
yesterday pear and i took a similar drive to Capitol Reef. it has become one of my favorite utah national park destinations because it is uncrowded and boasts more variety in color and texture than any of the other parks. i have stopped taking photos for the most part because they just don't cut it. your photos are beautiful, tho! i really need to get serious about coming up for a visit. the northwest is one of the major regions of this country i have yet to really explore. if pear and i don't make it to brazil next spring, maybe we'll head your direction instead.
Thanks for the pics, anyway, Sue. It's good for us to see other beautiful places. Sometimes I become blind the familiar beauties around me and it's good to wake up and realize there is a whole lot more. Even in your back yard. I love those pictures of seeds and your thoughts about them. You are a nurturer.
Post a Comment