I’m in the Methow Valley, in Northern Washington, in bad need of a shower, having just tumbled out of the mountains of the North Cascades. And rugged mountains they surely are! This will be a relatively short post, as far as writing goes (I can hear the cheers already). I’ve gone & broken my left hand, so everything is slower, especially typing. It’s a long story how I broke it. The short version is that I am sometimes a stupid man, and it costs me.
Blue Lake in the North Cascades of Washington is calm as the sun begins to set.
I approached from the south, camping along Baker Lake, then followed Hwy. 20 east to Ross Lake, taking a hike to Blue Lake for a sunset view of Early Winters Spires. It is only 2 or 3 miles up to the lake. You will likely run into rock climbers here. The Spires are a prime challenge for rock jocks. After this, I drove down into the tiny burg of Mazama, and then back up (way up!) to Slate Peak.
I was under the stars here, at 7400 feet elevation, and shot some night photos in the company of an astrophotographer. He was shooting at a considerably narrower angle than I was! He showed me my first ever view of the Heart Nebula, a beautiful object I’ve never seen before. And I thought I was a pretty savvy stargazer.
The Big Dipper is nearly lost amongst the stars above Slate Peak Lookout in Northern Washington.
The view from Slate Peak is amazing, making the rough, steep “road” up there worth it. If you are the type to balk at narrow dirt tracks carved out of a mountainside, with no guardrail between you and a sheer drop, get somebody else to drive it, take a pill, and keep your eyes firmly closed. But what a view! The jagged peaks of the North Cascades lie to the west, and the wild Pasayten country rises to the east.
The wind was blowing up there overnight, so it was downright cold! In order to stargaze, I had to put on more clothes than I’ve had on since last March. But next morning dawned clear & the day warmed rapidly. This is the start of the Pacific Crest Trail’s last push northward to the Canadian border, & I hiked up a few miles, scrambling up a minor peak. It was a good challenge though, having only one hand to rely on for the knife-edge ridge.
The sun’s last rays hit the popular climbing crags of Early Winters Spires in Washington’s North Cascades.
The larches are changing color now, making me want to keep pushing north & east to the Canadian Rockies. But I don’t have my passport on me, alas. Oh for those good old pre-9/11 days, when crossing into Canada was not very different than crossing a state line. Oh well, I really should go home & get a real cast put on this hand. But for now I’m off to enjoy the little town of Winthrop, & the gorgeous valleys here. This country is covered in snow for most of the year, but now it’s basking in beautiful September sunshine. Hope you enjoy the photos.
Wow, incredible colours!
Thanks very much you guys!
Great shots! Hope your hand heals quickly!
Thanks Lyle. I’m sure this will too.
Fantastic reflections!
Thanks! It’s been all about reflections lately.
Great photos but sorry about your left hand. If it’s any conciliation my broken wrist healed.