Posted by Mark Nobles on January 12, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Hello everyone,
I'm part of the RMNP forum and live in Colorado. I have been wanting to come out to Washington to do some shooting this spring/ summer and would appreciate some ideas of where to go to shoot some of your beautiful scenery.
I'm particularly interested in wildflowers with snow capped mountains in the background (aren't we all). Are there any books available to guide me or would anyone want to give up any info? I'll trade you some Colorado intel for your Washington local knowledge
Also, what would be the best time frame to shoot for as far as the flowers are concerned? We plan on driving up in a camper so we are pretty mobile and not tied to any particular area. Thanks in advance for your help and you folks have some spectacular images on your forum.....I may have to visit more often!
Thanks, Mark Nobles
Posted by Dean Huggins on January 13, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Snow capped peaks, you will no doubt want to shoot in the Cascades or Wilderness area in central Wash. The Olympics offer great shooting as well. Mt Rainier has some of the best shots I have seen for wild flowers but I have not been to this location for wild flowers only for lake reflections. I have read of wild flower shooters here and I am guessing someone could steer you (and me ) to the best location. The timing is the most important part as you know and no one can guarantee a certain week will be better than others. Good luck.
Posted by Scott Miller on January 13, 2013 at 8:16 AM
For mountains and wildflowers, it is pretty hard to beat Mt Rainier National Park in August.
As for books, this one is decent: http://www.amazon.com/Washingtons-Wildflower-Hikes-Charles-Gurche/dp/1565794400/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Posted by Mark Nobles on January 13, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Thank you Scott and Dean. While wildflowers are primary I'm also interested in any areas that would draw the interest of photographers. There appear to be many beautiful areas up there. Thanks for the book tip Scott, I'll check that out.
Thanks, Mark
Posted by John Williams on January 13, 2013 at 11:42 AM
As a general rule of thumb wildflowers first show on the slopes of the eastern Cascades, usually in mid-April to early May. By late May to early June, they move move higher in elevation and east, showing up in higher elevations of the eastern foothills, the gorge, and at the coast. In July, they move to the mid-elevations and this is when you can begin to get those snow-covered peaks in the background. The finale is typically in August at high elevations when the flowers move above timberline.
Here are some examples I've snapped in prior years:
April May June July
August... I don't have a good example, but I know others on the forum do and can jump in with examples. (Surprisingly, despite August being the peak of wildflowers in some of the best locations, I don't have much from that time of year here. We typically visit the in-laws on an annual basis at that time of year, so I'm usually snapping photos of flowers in the La Platas or San Juans .)
Posted by Mark Nobles on January 13, 2013 at 12:35 PM
Thank you Scott and Dean. While wildflowers are primary I'm also interested in any areas that would draw the interest of photographers. There appear to be many beautiful areas up there. Thanks for the book tip Scott, I'll check that out.
Thanks, Mark
Posted by Mark Nobles on January 13, 2013 at 12:43 PM
John,
Thank you not only for your "in a nutshell" breakdown of the wildflowers but also your beautiful images. They are inspiring and I'm going to look into Gregs book. I knew I would find great advice and friendly people on this forum
Thanks, Mark
Posted by Greg Vaughn on January 16, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Thanks (again) John, for the mention!
Mark: by the time of your trip, my book "Photographing Washington" should be out, but in the meantime here's some suggestions to help in your planning.
As others have mentioned, it's hard to beat Mount Rainier for wildflowers, and I don't think it can be beat for the combo of flowers + snow-capped mountains. The flowers are thick in several meadow areas around the mountain, and it helps that they are at different elevations so that if the bloom is a little early or late in a particular year, visitors can usually find at least one good area from late July through mid August. Peak bloom at Paradise Meadows, the most popular area, is generally the first week in August. Other areas at MRNP particularly good for flowers include Tipsoo Lake and Sunrise on the east side, and Spray Park in the remote northwest section.
Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park would also be an excellent choice for you. Expansive sloping meadows with a panorama of the Olympic Mountains beyond. The area right around the visitor center is good, out along Obstruction Point Road can be even better. Late July is generally prime time here.
If you are a backpacker or don't mind day hikes of 5-10 miles (with significant elevation gain), there are some fabulous locations in the North Cascades, including Skyline Divide Trail, Cascade Pass-Sahale Arm Trail, and Sauk Mountain. Similarly, in the southern Cascades, backpacking photographers like Snowgrass Flat in the Goat Rocks Wilderness and Killen Creek Trail in the Mount Adams Wilderness for the meadows and mountains vistas. A popular day hike is Bird Creek Meadows on the south side of Mount Adams.
For a spring trip, late April to mid May, both sides of the Columbia River Gorge are good for wildflowers and scenic vistas. Dallas Mountain Road at Columbia Hills State Park and Dog Mountain Trail on the Washington side and Tom McCall Preserve on the Oregon side are known for their profusion of bright yellow balsamroot and deep blue lupine.
I second the recommendation for Charlie Gurche's book "Washington's Best Wildflower Hikes". Charlie is an excellent photographer and has done several other Washington scenic photo books. Another good resource is photographer Don Geyer's book on Mount Rainier, which is written largely as a guide to photographic opportunities in the park. Rod Barbee's "Photographer's Guide to Puget Sound and Northwest Washington" is also extremely helpful.
One more note: the campgrounds at Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Park are extremely popular and often filled every day in summer, and nearby camping outside the park is very limited in both cases. Make reservations in advance, or else get to the campgrounds early in the day in hopes of snagging a site when someone checks out.
I would echo what Greg says above. Mt. Hood's wildflower season is a bit earlier than Rainier (late July), and if you want snow and wildflowers, around July 20-28 is best. By mid august, most years, Hood tends to look a bit gray.
I have a list of web links and books on wildflowers and wildflower locations in the Pacific Northwest at: Wildflower Hunting in Washington and Oregon One book I found especially helpful is: Washington’s Best Wildflower Hikes (Charles Gurche)
Posted by Mark Nobles on February 22, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Thanks to all that have replied to my plea for help. Greg, I look forward to your new book and appreciate the time you took to type your response. Please email me when your book comes out so that I can snag a copy. Is it going to be in digital/Ipad format?? I have purchased a few books from other photographers and I must admit, I'm hooked.
Once again, thank you to all and if I may ever assist anyone with some local Colorado advice (I'm not an expert), please don't hesitate to email me and I'll give you what I have.
Mark
Discussion
10 repliesI'm part of the RMNP forum and live in Colorado. I have been wanting to come out to Washington to do some shooting this spring/ summer and would appreciate some ideas of where to go to shoot some of your beautiful scenery.
I'm particularly interested in wildflowers with snow capped mountains in the background (aren't we all). Are there any books available to guide me or would anyone want to give up any info? I'll trade you some Colorado intel for your Washington local knowledge
Also, what would be the best time frame to shoot for as far as the flowers are concerned? We plan on driving up in a camper so we are pretty mobile and not tied to any particular area. Thanks in advance for your help and you folks have some spectacular images on your forum.....I may have to visit more often!
Thanks, Mark Nobles
As for books, this one is decent: http://www.amazon.com/Washingtons-Wildflower-Hikes-Charles-Gurche/dp/1565794400/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Thanks, Mark
As a general rule of thumb wildflowers first show on the slopes of the eastern Cascades, usually in mid-April to early May. By late May to early June, they move move higher in elevation and east, showing up in higher elevations of the eastern foothills, the gorge, and at the coast. In July, they move to the mid-elevations and this is when you can begin to get those snow-covered peaks in the background. The finale is typically in August at high elevations when the flowers move above timberline.
Here are some examples I've snapped in prior years:
April
May
June
July
August... I don't have a good example, but I know others on the forum do and can jump in with examples. (Surprisingly, despite August being the peak of wildflowers in some of the best locations, I don't have much from that time of year here. We typically visit the in-laws on an annual basis at that time of year, so I'm usually snapping photos of flowers in the La Platas or San Juans
Thanks, Mark
Thank you not only for your "in a nutshell" breakdown of the wildflowers but also your beautiful images. They are inspiring and I'm going to look into Gregs book. I knew I would find great advice and friendly people on this forum
Thanks, Mark
Mark: by the time of your trip, my book "Photographing Washington" should be out, but in the meantime here's some suggestions to help in your planning.
As others have mentioned, it's hard to beat Mount Rainier for wildflowers, and I don't think it can be beat for the combo of flowers + snow-capped mountains. The flowers are thick in several meadow areas around the mountain, and it helps that they are at different elevations so that if the bloom is a little early or late in a particular year, visitors can usually find at least one good area from late July through mid August. Peak bloom at Paradise Meadows, the most popular area, is generally the first week in August. Other areas at MRNP particularly good for flowers include Tipsoo Lake and Sunrise on the east side, and Spray Park in the remote northwest section.
Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park would also be an excellent choice for you. Expansive sloping meadows with a panorama of the Olympic Mountains beyond. The area right around the visitor center is good, out along Obstruction Point Road can be even better. Late July is generally prime time here.
If you are a backpacker or don't mind day hikes of 5-10 miles (with significant elevation gain), there are some fabulous locations in the North Cascades, including Skyline Divide Trail, Cascade Pass-Sahale Arm Trail, and Sauk Mountain. Similarly, in the southern Cascades, backpacking photographers like Snowgrass Flat in the Goat Rocks Wilderness and Killen Creek Trail in the Mount Adams Wilderness for the meadows and mountains vistas. A popular day hike is Bird Creek Meadows on the south side of Mount Adams.
For a spring trip, late April to mid May, both sides of the Columbia River Gorge are good for wildflowers and scenic vistas. Dallas Mountain Road at Columbia Hills State Park and Dog Mountain Trail on the Washington side and Tom McCall Preserve on the Oregon side are known for their profusion of bright yellow balsamroot and deep blue lupine.
I second the recommendation for Charlie Gurche's book "Washington's Best Wildflower Hikes". Charlie is an excellent photographer and has done several other Washington scenic photo books. Another good resource is photographer Don Geyer's book on Mount Rainier, which is written largely as a guide to photographic opportunities in the park. Rod Barbee's "Photographer's Guide to Puget Sound and Northwest Washington" is also extremely helpful.
One more note: the campgrounds at Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Park are extremely popular and often filled every day in summer, and nearby camping outside the park is very limited in both cases. Make reservations in advance, or else get to the campgrounds early in the day in hopes of snagging a site when someone checks out.
Once again, thank you to all and if I may ever assist anyone with some local Colorado advice (I'm not an expert), please don't hesitate to email me and I'll give you what I have.
Mark