I hope to make it to the western Washington - Oregon area the first week of June. Since I only have one week (meeting a group in the following week to take on the areas around Colfax and Port Angeles Washington) I'm planning to concentrate on the Oregon coast, Columbia River Gorge, and Western Washington.
Any suggestions for good resources (websites, books, etc.)? What about places not to miss in early June.
We enjoy hiking and don't mind day long hikes. Photographically I like lakes, streams, forests, macros, wildlife and even historic sites and quaint towns, but tend to look for the less crowded areas.
Thanks in advance for any help you can toss my way.
Posted by John Williams on January 1, 2013 at 1:20 PM
The locations and subjects you note could easily fill a career, much less a week. Nevertheless, here are some thoughts.
For early June, the gorge is hard to beat. If flowers are normal to late, hit the Dalles Mountain Ranch area and then work your way back into the gorge. If flowers are early, then Dog Mountain in the gorge can be amazing.
In the gorge, be sure to check out Eagle Creek. In June, it can be one of the best hikes anywhere. There are other great waterfalls on the Oregon side of the gorge as well, such as Elowah, Wahclella, Latourell, etc.
At the coast, Seal Rocks, Cape Kiwanda, and the iconic view from Ecola State Park are some of my favorites not too far from the Portland area.
Other parts of Western Washington, such as the Adams and St. Helens areas, are usually better later in the season.
Since you mentioned Port Angeles, I live in Sequim and work in Port Angeles, you may want to consider the Hwy 101 drive around the Olympic Peninsula. You will be driving by some of the most photogenic, and iconic areas the Peninsula has to offer such as Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Falls, the Hoh Rain Forest and Cape Flattery. There is way too many greats vistas here and not enough time to shoot them all but your research of each and Olympic Peninsula scenic byway will definitely give you some great choices. June is a great time because there is still snow at higher altitudes on Hurricane Ridge along with wild flowers and fauna taking advantage of the greenery. Have fun.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on January 2, 2013 at 6:53 PM
I second Greg's book. I found it super helpful when I did my first (and 2nd and 3rd) trip.
Posted by Greg Vaughn on January 9, 2013 at 8:21 PM
Thanks for the referrals to Photographing Oregon, John and Amy!
Richard: John and Christopher have already given you most of the advice I would offer for locations. With only a week, you'll need to choose carefully or else you'll be constantly rushing from place to place.
Definitely do the Eagle Creek Trail that John mentions, at least as far as Metlako and Punchbowl Falls. Wahclella is another great waterfall and not far hike. Of course, you won't want to miss Multnomah Falls.
On the coast, the view from Ecola State Park and also Haystack Rock and the Needles at Cannon Beach. Ideally, you'd want a sunset in each location, but if you can only do one night in that area, I'd opt for sunset on the beach at Haystack and sunrise at Ecola Point. Look for the resident herd of Roosevelt Elk that browse near the parking lot at Ecola almost every day right about sunset.
Just south of Cannon Beach is Oswald West State Park. A nice trail leads through beautiful old-growth coastal temperate rainforest to a cove with sandy beach.
For historic interest, visit Fort Clatsop at Lewis & Clark National Monument near Astoria. The fort is a reconstruction of the log structures where the L&C gang spent a soggy winter. On summer weekends, volunteers and rangers wear period costumes and demonstrate pioneer skills.
Cross the Columbia River on Astoria-Megler Bridge to visit Cape Disappointment State Park on the Washington side. Two very good lighthouse photo ops here, as well as more historical interest.
From there you can continue North to the Olympic Peninsula and travel the west coast beaches. IMO, Second Beach and Rialto Beach are the best photo sunset photography. Be sure to visit the Hoh Rainforest area - it should be especially lush in June. Continue around to Port Angeles to meet your friends.
Discussion
4 repliesAny suggestions for good resources (websites, books, etc.)? What about places not to miss in early June.
We enjoy hiking and don't mind day long hikes. Photographically I like lakes, streams, forests, macros, wildlife and even historic sites and quaint towns, but tend to look for the less crowded areas.
Thanks in advance for any help you can toss my way.
Start with Greg's book, Photographing Oregon.
For early June, the gorge is hard to beat. If flowers are normal to late, hit the Dalles Mountain Ranch area and then work your way back into the gorge. If flowers are early, then Dog Mountain in the gorge can be amazing.
In the gorge, be sure to check out Eagle Creek. In June, it can be one of the best hikes anywhere. There are other great waterfalls on the Oregon side of the gorge as well, such as Elowah, Wahclella, Latourell, etc.
At the coast, Seal Rocks, Cape Kiwanda, and the iconic view from Ecola State Park are some of my favorites not too far from the Portland area.
Other parts of Western Washington, such as the Adams and St. Helens areas, are usually better later in the season.
Richard: John and Christopher have already given you most of the advice I would offer for locations. With only a week, you'll need to choose carefully or else you'll be constantly rushing from place to place.
Definitely do the Eagle Creek Trail that John mentions, at least as far as Metlako and Punchbowl Falls. Wahclella is another great waterfall and not far hike. Of course, you won't want to miss Multnomah Falls.
On the coast, the view from Ecola State Park and also Haystack Rock and the Needles at Cannon Beach. Ideally, you'd want a sunset in each location, but if you can only do one night in that area, I'd opt for sunset on the beach at Haystack and sunrise at Ecola Point. Look for the resident herd of Roosevelt Elk that browse near the parking lot at Ecola almost every day right about sunset.
Just south of Cannon Beach is Oswald West State Park. A nice trail leads through beautiful old-growth coastal temperate rainforest to a cove with sandy beach.
For historic interest, visit Fort Clatsop at Lewis & Clark National Monument near Astoria. The fort is a reconstruction of the log structures where the L&C gang spent a soggy winter. On summer weekends, volunteers and rangers wear period costumes and demonstrate pioneer skills.
Cross the Columbia River on Astoria-Megler Bridge to visit Cape Disappointment State Park on the Washington side. Two very good lighthouse photo ops here, as well as more historical interest.
From there you can continue North to the Olympic Peninsula and travel the west coast beaches. IMO, Second Beach and Rialto Beach are the best photo sunset photography. Be sure to visit the Hoh Rainforest area - it should be especially lush in June. Continue around to Port Angeles to meet your friends.
Have fun!
- Greg