Heidi's Hotspots: Lake Crescent

There are some pretty spectacular lakes in the Northwest: Crater Lake, Lake Chelan, Stanley Lake. They are set in stunning mountain scenery and visited as destinations in their own right. Ranked right there with them is the gem of Lake Crescent.

Located in the northwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula, Lake Crescent is an easy destination for daytrippers and vacationers. And the trip will not disappoint. The heavily forested mountains on the north of the peninsula cradle the crystal clear blue waters creating beautiful views from any vantage point.

Highway 101 hugs the southern shore of the lake and there is no shortage of all those beautiful views. It's one of those winding roads motorcyclists and sports car drivers dream of, but be careful. The speed limit is 35 for a reason. Bicyclists ride on the narrow road and the lake has a long history of people driving off the road, the most notable is Blanch and Russell Warren who drove into the lake in the 20's and no one really knew what happened to them until 2002 when their car was found by divers.

But I would hate to drive fast on this road and miss all the opportunities for gawking at the views and pulling off at the ample pull-outs along the way.

And when you're done driving Highway 101 along the lake shore, head to one of the trailheads for the railroad grade trail and meander along the "backside" of Lake Crescent. It's a fairly flat 4 miles one way and leads you past Devil's Punchbowl - a very popular swimming hole.

When is the best time to go? Anytime. Spring brings new growth and roadside waterfalls. Summer brings recreationists playing on the water. Fall colors line the shore in autumn. And of course winter capped mountains are a must see, reflected in the still waters. I've never been disappointed by my favorite lake.

Heidi's Hotspots: Mt Rainier National Park: Burroughs Mountain

It's a difficult task to find a photo location on Mt Rainier that isn't spectacular.

When I start to think of my favorite places or places to recommend to friends, my brain starts with the obvious - Paradise. Paradise is located on the south slope of Washington's iconic mountain and is bewitching throughout the year. One of the bonus points for Paradise is it's location. The light is almost always favorable any time of day, any time of the year.

It has to do with the mountain facing the sun so as you're creating your images, the sun is at your back. It's easy to spend a day, a weekend or more photographing the scenes and beauty around the paradise area.

On the other side of the mountain, is the Sunrise area which is beautiful in it's own right. And yes, as the name reflects sunrise and early mornings are the best times of day to photograph this side of the mountain. As mid-day approaches and into the afternoon, you end up photographing into the sun.

And yet, this hot-spot is on the north-ish side of Mt Rainier where the light isn't almost always wonderful. Nor is it accessible all year.

You come here in the morning during the summer and autumn (the road usually opens around July 4 and closes after the first significant snowfall), hike out past Frozen Lake and up to 1st then 2nd (and if you have enough UMPH left) then 3rd Burroughs and you will see views hearkening back to the ice age.

Views from 1st Burroughs reach northward from Berkeley Park just below you to Fremont lookout then the Cascade Range north to Mt Stuart, Glacier Peak and Mt Baker. Don't forget to look at your feet. This is alpine tundra up here. The alpine spring brings out the low-lying color of delicate flowers.

Continue up to 2nd Burroughs to look down into the glacial moraine of the Emmons Glacier. Bring a long lens to zoom in on the crevasses, deep and plentiful near the toe of the glacier. Also bring a coat for the ever present wind gets cold even on hot summer days.

Third Burroughs brings you all that much closer to the glacier for a vision of what the northern continent looked like during the ice age.

All in the shadow of the mountain. The closer you get, the harder it is to photograph the whole mountain even with a wide angle lens. Yet, dare I say, you'll be focusing in on the mountain's details to such an extent you won't really mind.

Oh, one last use for that long lens - goats. Rarely have I been to Burroughs Mountain without seeing goats. Dozens of them.The white specks in the image above are goats (guess who didn't bother with her long lens on that trip). And I've seen the odd bear in the area too - a cinnamon colored one.

Heidi's Hotspots: Olympic Peninsula: The Hoh Rainforest

Admittedly, the Hoh Rainforest is one of my favorite places on earth.

That's a BIG statement!

I have been to all manner of sights and locales and yet I can right now, right here tell you that my favorite place on earth is a big wet temperate rainforest just miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Yes. For me, the Arizona deserts, Utah Canyons, Canada's mountains all hold special places in my heart and dreams but my go-to happy place is the quiet yet frenzied world that is the Hoh.

Here you can be lost and found in the same breath. Exalt in the openness of nature and feel an overt claustrophobia. You can listen to the flute-like voices of elk with a percussion of dripping from moss and here is where you'll find the quietest inch. You can spend a lifetime visiting yet find something new tucked away among the most familiar. When you are lonely, the moss laden trees become fast friends.

Come here on an overcast day. Even with the thick overstory, sunlight streaming through the leaves can create harsh light and shadows on the scenery. An overcast day gives you soft light, no harsh shadows with blown out highlights. But finding a cloudy day shouldn't be too hard. With rainfall as much as 12 feet a year, there are plenty of grey days. So also bring something to protect yourself and your camera from the wet elements. Even when it's not raining, water drips off the curtains of moss.

If photographing in a forest is a little intimidating, try focusing on small forest vignettes. The Hoh is filled with so much life that the idea of simplifying your image at first mind boggling. There are huge trees everywhere you turn. How do  you create simplicity when there is so much in your viewfinder?

Well, start small with mushrooms and moss.

Look to your feet for tiny things growing and living there.

Find the patterns in the understory.

Point your camera straight up into the top story.

Use a wide angle to get as much in as possible but then use a telephoto to compress the elements together.

Set up your tripod for multiple exposures then blend them later.

Hand hold your camera with a slow shutter speed for a more impressionistic image.

I other words, play. I give you permission to just play with your camera while in the Hoh. Maybe you'll see why this place has become my favorite place.

To get there: From Forks, drive south on Highway 101 to the Hoh River Road. Follow the road to the end. There is a National Park Entrance Fee to access the Hoh Rain Forest.

For more information on visiting the Hoh and Olympic National Park, please visit their website.

Heidi's Hotspots: Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest: Artist's Point/Heather Meadows

I absolutely love going to the Mt Baker area. The south side of the mountain a great lake for boating and trails to explore. The north side has a premier ski area, great hiking and stunning views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan. This northern side of the mountain is the Heather Meadows/Artist Point area.

Follow State Highway 542 (Mt Baker Highway/Scenic Byway) from Bellingham through farming country and forest. There are several picturesque spots and detours along the way, but your true destination is nearer the end of the road.

In the winter, the road is closed at the ski area but if you are a skier, boarder or snowshoer that is far enough. Winters here are the best with thick snow, lots of slopes and fun ridges. The record snowfall for one season in North America was measured here during the 1998-1999 ski season at 1,140 inches of 95 feet. If snow is what you're looking for, here you will find it. Do take warning though that traveling in the backcountry during winter takes extra precautions on your part. There are many classes teaching you about snow safety and avalanche safety and I highly recommend taking them before venturing beyond the ski area.

Spring and summer comes slowly to Heather Meadows and even more slowly to Artist's Point beyond. There are years that the road to Artist's Point never melts out. But the years it does means there's a spectacle of close views of two extraordinary mountains. Called Koma Kulshan (White Mountain) by the Native Americans in the area, Mt Baker to the southwest is a volcano covered in snow and glaciers all years round. Mt Shuksan to the southeast can claim to be the most photographed peak in North America. And it's easy to see why with its craggy textures and glaciers.

Large groups of photographers gather at Picture Lake just below Heather Meadows to photograph Mt Shuksan in the evening light. You may need to elbow your way into a viewing area. But it's well worth the effort. Higher up on Artist's Point are the best vantage points for Mt Baker in the morning or evening light. Flowers sparkle in the meadows and along the trails. Wildlife can be shy around here, but keep on a lookout for ptarmigan as they frequents the area enough to have a ridge named after the birds.

Life seems to slow down a bit in the autumn on the mountain as the crowds disperse. However fall hiking here is often rewarded with an abundance of ripe blueberries and huckleberries. Some days I come off the trail with juice stained hands. The other benefit of berry bushes are the vibrant colors of the leaves as they begin to turn color. Deep oranges and reds line the meadows and trails for dramatic effect.

With all the fun photo and adventure opportunities near Heather Meadows and Artist's Point, it's easy to see how a person can spend a year here and never be bored.

Heidi's Hotspots: Mt Rainier National Park: Summerland

I think Summerland will always hold a special place in my heart. When I first ventured off on hiking the Wonderland Trail, the 93 mile trail encircling Mt Rainier, I started at Summerland. My first solo backpack was to Summerland. Need a good hike on the east side of the mountain? Go to Summerland.

Summerland is a smallish meadow on the flanks of Mt Rainier. If you think of the meadows at Paradise or Spray Park, you might scoff at this little meadow. And for many day-hikers and climbers, Summerland is a only short respite on the way to bigger and more grand views. The 8 mile round trip can make this a respectable day hike and a destination of its own, so don't let it's size deter you from venturing here.

Come in the early morning if you can for better light. From the meadow, you will be looking west at the mountain and light can get fairly harsh later in the day. Or wait until the afternoon when the meadows are in shade for a softer light on the flowers. Better yet, try to snag a campsite and watch the mountain glow in the sunrise light. This is a popular hiking and camping destination so an early reservation may be in order for camping.

The meadow may be small, but the views packs a pretty nice punch. The trail follows Fryingpan Creek from the White River Road. After you cross the creek (about 3 miles in), you will travel through what I call the lower meadows - beautiful flowers all around and all the time in front of you, the glaciated flanks of Mt Rainier. Then some quick switchbacks through the woods and you will find your switchbacks lined with the flowers I call the middle meadows. These lead you into the meadows of Summerland.

Look out for marmots, bear and mountain goats while you're here. The marmots are not phased by the hikers and will often be seen nibbling the flowers at the side of the trail. Travel a little further along the trail past camp and across the stream, you will find a wilderness flower lined staircase built of mud, logs and stones that looks as if it were transplanted straight from Middle Earth.

If you love photographing wildflowers with critters in front of mountains, then Summerland is a place for you to discover and fall in love with on your own.

Heidi's Hotspots: North Cascades National Park Complex: Cascade River Road

So much of the North Cascades National Park Complex is only accessible by trail. Even though the beautiful interior of the park takes a desire to strap a pack onto your pack for several hours (or days), our "American Alps" are worth the effort. But if you're not ready for the hike, let me tell you about one of my favorite spots for photography that is not much effort at all - the Cascade River Road.

This 23 mile road leaves from the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) and follows the Cascade River to a basin of jagged peaks and glaciers. Along the way you'll pass wild-life areas, forest glades, waterfalls and have I mentioned mountain views. This is a road that has it all.

To get there, drive east on Highway 20 from Burlington to Marblemount. In Marblemount, the highway takes a hard left turn, but you will continue straight to cross the bridge over the Skagit River. Just after the bridge is a wildlife area - a perfect place to stop and watch bald eagles in the winter. Bald eagles love the Skagit River, converging on this salmon spawning thoroughfare for an easy dinner (breakfast and lunch too). Drive a little further to the fish hatchery for more birds (herons and eagles licking their beaks at the fish swimming deliciously in tanks. The fish are protected by netting above the tanks.

As you drive further along the road, you'll pass a few trailheads for some nice steep trails and a couple of National Forest campgrounds. The campgrounds are nice places to set up base camp if you want to explore the trails or the road more. You'll also pass through lots of moss-draped forest. Moisture from the west hits the mountains and dumps rain into the area, making for perfect mossy habitat.

The road begins to climb steadily and as you drive, you will begin crossing streams, look uphill for the waterfalls. They shouldn't be too hard to find as they are right next to the road. Most of the falls and streams have pull-outs near enough for you to park and walk back to the views with whatever gear you might need.

At about 13 miles, you'll cross the National Park boundary and the road will really start to climb - at times extremely steeply. (Who built this road? Mountain Goats?) The road also narrows quite a bit so stopping is more limited, but there are a few places to pull off so you can photograph wildflowers and more waterfalls and a few mountain views. Another option is to park your car in one of the parking spots along the road, or at the end of the road and walk back and forth. This road can be busy during summer weekends so be EXTREMELY careful. On the shoulder seasons, spring and fall, the gate can be locked so walking the road will be your only option.

The road ends at 23 miles in. Try to keep your eyes on the road as you make the final push. It will be hard. The peaks and glaciers will demand your attention. The end of the road is also the trailhead for the Cascade Pass Trail. The most popular trail in the park and again, steep. Well worth the effort if you're in condition to attempt climbing 2000 feet in 3.5 miles. If you're not, the bowl you are now parked in will give you plenty to focus on. Don't forget to look down once in a while for wildflowers and marmots.

And just enjoy the beauty.

Heidi's Hotspots: Columbia River Gorge: Cape Horn Trail

When people think of The Gorge they think of two places - the amphitheater near George, Washington or the waterfalls along the Oregon side of the Columbia River. Ask a photographer about the Columbia River gorge they'll think of the latter, with wildflowers and expansive views. Hardly anyone thinks about the photographic or adventure potential of the other side - the Washington side.

But there are lots. Where Oregon shows off her stunning beauty at every possibility, Washington is just a bit more demure. You really have to look at her to appreciate the beauty she has to offer. The nooks and crannies, the hidden paths.

I do love the Oregon side of the gorge, and who wouldn't with her dramatic waterfalls and expansive flower-filled views. I could spend days photographing there. But I have also been able to spend days photographing the Washington side too.

One of my favorite places to hike and photograph is the Cape Horn Trail just east of Washougal, WA. Managed by the Cape Horn Conservancy, this trail meanders through forests to panoramic views of the Columbia River. Starting off from the trailhead along State Route 14, hike through forests alive with color. Forest wildflowers bloom in abundance here in the spring, but in early to mid May, the rich blues of Delphinium create a stark contrast against the light yellow greens of alder groves and ferns.

Along the way you'll catch views of the river and gorge and it's hard not to be distracted by the views. But keep your eye out for the flowers along the trail.

The loop trail is closed for Falcon nesting from January to July, but the 7 mile round trip hike from the parking lot to the Nancy Russell Overlook will fill your memory card with color, texture and patterns.

For more information contact the Cape Horn Conservancy.