Larch on Mt. Bigelow

There was a recent image posted by Mark Windom with a bit of a discussion about Autumn Larch in the Icicle Canyon. Although the Enchantments (above Icicle Canyon) are the famous spot for the Golden Ones, with its restrictive permit system for overnight stays and strenuous access, for the serious photographer lugging gear up over Aasgard Pass is problematic. Fortunately are many other areas on the Cascades eastern slopes that are thick with Larch, less restrictive and far from the maddening crowds. The Chelan Crest, the Twisp River and the mountain east of the North Cascades highway So. of Winthrop feature positively stellar spots.

Here is a five year old image taken with a 5 mp Sony V-1. I did some cropping, levels and selective color in PS.

On a day hike in the Chelan Crest east of Lake Chelan, WA, in October, we hiked up through the Crater Lakes drainage to the granite timberline scree/talus on Mt. Bigelow. In the clear air and low October light, these deciduous conifers were backlit beautifully. We then hiked over an easy pass down to the Eagle Lakes and still more incredible Larch.

Mt. Bigelow used to have the distinction of possessing the easternmost glacier in the Cascades, but since the 1970's, drought and record warm summers has sadly reduced it to a small snowfield.

There's nothing better in Fall than backlit larch.

Thanks for the info. I love Larch and the areas you spoke of sound great. They're on my list for next Fall. Beautiful shot.

Great use of light here Marc. The Larch really glow, and contrast the background nicely. It feels a little crowded and up-front, if I had to offer any critique.

The back lit yellow is a beautiful color.

I haven't photographed larch since moving to the NW, I better get to work on that.

Marc, the backlight yellow needles here are very nice. However, I am not too exicited about the comp itself. Regardless you were up there enjoying this beautiful place and not I... to a place I still very much want to get to when time allows!