This will be my families first time to the PNW. We plan to start in Portland/Vancouver area then drive south to N. Cal.
The main things I would like to see are:
1. The Gorge area waterfalls
2. Grand scenics with Mt. Hood in the background like Darren's shot
3. The Oregon Coast (Heceta Head Lighthouse, etc...)
4. Crater Lake
Do you think it would be better to wait for at least June to see the rest of these areas. I know in the Winter there are is lot of rain and clouds especially at the coast. But how is April and May typically. Are clear days really hit and miss during Spring?
You already missed the wildflowers shown in Darren's shot, but trust me, that shot is NOT going to happen in better light as the wind is absolutely constant in that area, and great compositions featuring Hood are very hard to come by without longer lenes, which reduce some compositional options. The real wildflower season in the NW dosen't happen until early August or late July, when the mountains themselves come alive. The areas at and right below treeline (5000-6500 feet), particularly on the western slopes can be better than anything else in the country if you know where to look.
I would plan your visit the last week of July and visit Rainier, the Gorge, the coast and Crater Lake, making a 500 mile stretch from central Washington through southern Oregon. Hood is not even close to as photogenic as Rainier in Summer. But if you need to see Hood, the best views can be had via the 5-mile Tom Dick and Harry mountain trail. Paradise, at Rainier will totally blow you away if you want to see wildflowers, and the adjacent Tatoosh range offers extrodinary views as well. The gorge will be less green at that point, but still not too bad. There will still be plenty of nice waterfalls to shoot. The coast is good anytime of year. Crater lake will also be at peak season in late July. Maybe a few flowers to shoot there also.
I had a feeling that Darren was making that Mt. Hood composition look too easy.
Maybe I should aim for more of a Summer trip as you recommend. While I really love the mountains, the Oregon coast is the biggest attraction for me. We get really awesome wildflowers in Colorado Rockies in July as well (San Juans, Crested Butte).
But I am thinking that these are more rare moments in time when the sky clears in the Spring. Summer is probably a better bet for our first time visit to the PNW and especially the coast.
Hi Derek-
I'm going to part company with Marc a bit and say that Hood is just different than Rainier -- less huge and awesome, but much more graceful and photogenic, particularly on the opposite side of where Marc suggested. My vote would be for a hike into Elk Cove on the north side from the Vista Ridge. This hike avoids major glacial stream crossings, and takes you through some of the best meadows on the mountain - plus, there are more wildflower species here than you'll find at Mt. Rainier, albeit with less expansive meadows. Here's a hike description that I posted at Portland Hikers:
This hike is at its peak during the first week of August. For the Gorge waterfall/stream hikes, the best times to visit are May and late October. If you time it right, and the weather cooperates, you can also catch the last of the autumn colors and beat the snow at Mount Hood in late October, though the first week of October is the peak there. It's hard to actually match up the peak fall colors between and low and high elevations. so the best plan is to figure out which you want to focus on most. One of the best Fall hikes on Mount Hood is to McNeil Point from the Top Spur trailhead -- again, here's an article that I posted on Portland Hikers:
I'll second what Marc and Tom said about the mountains. The coast can be awesome or miserable pretty much any time of year depending on your luck with weather. However, I have run into one problematic situation on the coast pretty consitantly in the summer. Being on the left coast, the best magic hour light comes at sunset, but in the summer there is a persistant fog bank that often sits right off the shore. It will look like everything is lining up for an awesome evening of shooting and then the sun will sink behind the fog and the show ends before it starts. On the flip side, when the temperatures inland go up into the 90's and higher, this can pull the fog bank on shore making it possible to shoot foggy forest and beach scenes in the middle of summer.
So for the 'coast' would you say that May or August might actually be better than say June and July with regards to this summer low clouds/fog effect?
I know that when I lived in in S. Cal we used to get 'June Gloom' in and around the coast where I lived (Hermosa Beach). May was usually more photogenic with either a rain storm or clearer skies vs. the flat light of June.
Discussion
5 repliesI am already planning our family vacation for next year. I have heard that the Fall is a lovely time in the PNW. But then I saw this shot from Darren White last month and have been dreaming about wildflower season out there ever since:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=17062&b=vf15&st=0&la=1779&ph=3&sid=453&u=453
This will be my families first time to the PNW. We plan to start in Portland/Vancouver area then drive south to N. Cal.
The main things I would like to see are:
1. The Gorge area waterfalls
2. Grand scenics with Mt. Hood in the background like Darren's shot
3. The Oregon Coast (Heceta Head Lighthouse, etc...)
4. Crater Lake
Do you think it would be better to wait for at least June to see the rest of these areas. I know in the Winter there are is lot of rain and clouds especially at the coast. But how is April and May typically. Are clear days really hit and miss during Spring?
Thanks for any tips you can provide.
- Derek
I would plan your visit the last week of July and visit Rainier, the Gorge, the coast and Crater Lake, making a 500 mile stretch from central Washington through southern Oregon. Hood is not even close to as photogenic as Rainier in Summer. But if you need to see Hood, the best views can be had via the 5-mile Tom Dick and Harry mountain trail. Paradise, at Rainier will totally blow you away if you want to see wildflowers, and the adjacent Tatoosh range offers extrodinary views as well. The gorge will be less green at that point, but still not too bad. There will still be plenty of nice waterfalls to shoot. The coast is good anytime of year. Crater lake will also be at peak season in late July. Maybe a few flowers to shoot there also.
I had a feeling that Darren was making that Mt. Hood composition look too easy.
Maybe I should aim for more of a Summer trip as you recommend. While I really love the mountains, the Oregon coast is the biggest attraction for me. We get really awesome wildflowers in Colorado Rockies in July as well (San Juans, Crested Butte).
How about coastal wildflowers? Have a look this coastal composition by from Daniella in N. Cal. during April with a 2MP camera. LOL :
http://www.pbase.com/zylen/image/1717555
Then there was Trevor's shot:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=17387&b=vf15&st=80&la=1913&ph=81&sid=9738&u=10205
But I am thinking that these are more rare moments in time when the sky clears in the Spring. Summer is probably a better bet for our first time visit to the PNW and especially the coast.
Is Crater Lake lake very photogenic in Spring?
Thanks again for the help.
P.S. - Marc, I have to say been admiring your work from over here in Colorado. See this RMNP thread about one of your recent great shots from Bishop:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=17771&b=vf10&st=0&la=1611&ph=7&sid=11556&u=11556
I'm going to part company with Marc a bit and say that Hood is just different than Rainier -- less huge and awesome, but much more graceful and photogenic, particularly on the opposite side of where Marc suggested. My vote would be for a hike into Elk Cove on the north side from the Vista Ridge. This hike avoids major glacial stream crossings, and takes you through some of the best meadows on the mountain - plus, there are more wildflower species here than you'll find at Mt. Rainier, albeit with less expansive meadows. Here's a hike description that I posted at Portland Hikers:
http://www.portlandhikerswiki.com/wiki/Elk_Cove_from_Vista_Ridge_Hike
This hike is at its peak during the first week of August. For the Gorge waterfall/stream hikes, the best times to visit are May and late October. If you time it right, and the weather cooperates, you can also catch the last of the autumn colors and beat the snow at Mount Hood in late October, though the first week of October is the peak there. It's hard to actually match up the peak fall colors between and low and high elevations. so the best plan is to figure out which you want to focus on most. One of the best Fall hikes on Mount Hood is to McNeil Point from the Top Spur trailhead -- again, here's an article that I posted on Portland Hikers:
http://www.portlandhikerswiki.com/wiki/McNeil_Point_Hike
This trip can be abbreviated to stop partway at various viewpoints, if you're not wanting to take on the full mileage and elevation gain.
Enjoy your trip!
Tom
I'll second what Marc and Tom said about the mountains. The coast can be awesome or miserable pretty much any time of year depending on your luck with weather. However, I have run into one problematic situation on the coast pretty consitantly in the summer. Being on the left coast, the best magic hour light comes at sunset, but in the summer there is a persistant fog bank that often sits right off the shore. It will look like everything is lining up for an awesome evening of shooting and then the sun will sink behind the fog and the show ends before it starts. On the flip side, when the temperatures inland go up into the 90's and higher, this can pull the fog bank on shore making it possible to shoot foggy forest and beach scenes in the middle of summer.
So for the 'coast' would you say that May or August might actually be better than say June and July with regards to this summer low clouds/fog effect?
I know that when I lived in in S. Cal we used to get 'June Gloom' in and around the coast where I lived (Hermosa Beach). May was usually more photogenic with either a rain storm or clearer skies vs. the flat light of June.
Thanks again for your input.