Yesterday ML and I went up to the Pass to hike to Franklin Falls, only to discover that there is still quite a bit of snow up there. Snoqualmie Peak still has snow, and with the blue blue sky yesterday it was gorgeous! The peak is almost 6300'.
Yep, snow with the ever present pine needles...this snowpack was on the trail to the falls, and probably at least 3' thick still. We were at about 3000', so summer is slow in coming that high this year.
This is so blown out, but we were there late afternoon and the falls face west, and we were in dark shadow since we couldn't get past the snow to get a different position. (excuses, excuses...) The falls are enormous, and rushing and jumping and exploding down into the river. In the summer they are a small divided flow, into a still, swimmable pool below. To give you an idea of scale, the tilted tree in the photo below is probably at least 15-20' tall.
Looking up to enjoy some blue sky...with the Doug firs towering all around. A typical upward view in an old-growth forest.
The river a little futher down, full and rushing. We are planning to go back on a cloudy day when the lighting is better. The color of the water was incredible. (Only in the Pacific NW do we moan for months about no sun, and then when it shows up, complain because everything is "too bright!" LOL!!)
One advantage to the late spring up high is that the trillium season is extended. I was really thrilled to see them just blooming up there; ours are long gone.
And I've never seen wild trillium that are this soft lavender color. They were really pretty, but were growing in the midst of a clump of devil's club and there was no way to get in closer.
Yep, snow with the ever present pine needles...this snowpack was on the trail to the falls, and probably at least 3' thick still. We were at about 3000', so summer is slow in coming that high this year.
This is so blown out, but we were there late afternoon and the falls face west, and we were in dark shadow since we couldn't get past the snow to get a different position. (excuses, excuses...) The falls are enormous, and rushing and jumping and exploding down into the river. In the summer they are a small divided flow, into a still, swimmable pool below. To give you an idea of scale, the tilted tree in the photo below is probably at least 15-20' tall.
Looking up to enjoy some blue sky...with the Doug firs towering all around. A typical upward view in an old-growth forest.
The river a little futher down, full and rushing. We are planning to go back on a cloudy day when the lighting is better. The color of the water was incredible. (Only in the Pacific NW do we moan for months about no sun, and then when it shows up, complain because everything is "too bright!" LOL!!)
One advantage to the late spring up high is that the trillium season is extended. I was really thrilled to see them just blooming up there; ours are long gone.
9 comments:
You do realize you could call it any kind of flower and we would believe you. ;)
Love the captures, even the excuses.
snow...!!! Don't want to see anymore for a while, thank you!! (we got our fair share of that white stuff!!) - still love your pics Pat - but love the little flower ones better!! ;)
Gorgeous pics, I especially like the one of the rushing creek and the trillium. Beautiful!
I love seeing summer snow! It makes me long for a trip to the mountains!
Gorgeous area! My favorite shot is the one where you're looking up through the trees, so cool! And that first flower is just beautiful!
Lol Sharon's comment! I really like the upshot of the trees and the waterfall. They almost make me want to go on a hike... almost :D
We did it! Same shots; different perspectives! I especially like the sky-ward view...nicely done on that one, and on all of them! ML
beautiful photos Pat. i love the view in #5
How fun to see summer snow! And yep Sharon is right LOL!
Post a Comment