Highlights

Tank Lakes

Tank Lakes on a summer evening. It doesn't get any better than this.

Home Sweet Home

We settled on a campsite just below the ridge, quickly set up our tent, and then hustled back up to catch the sunset

Golden on the ridge

Looking into the sunset, everything is shade or haze except for the larches climbing up the sunward side of the ridge. I love the color here – the shift from golden hour to blue

Last Light on Adventure

Last light on adventure. This was my third attempt to make it up to the incredibly overcrowded popular Maple Pass trail, but I found a beautiful day nestled between the smoke and the crowds, and it absolutely lived up to the expectation.

Smoky Days in the Cascades

After two gorgeous days, the wind changed a bit and the haze rolled over the ridges from the nearby fires. It was definitely a slight bummer in terms of visibility (and breathability) but I think it also adds a bit of depth to the atmosphere here in an interesting way!⁠

Bridge of the Angels

Lake of the Angels is an incredible spot, past a gnarly scramble, marshy meadows full of mosquitos, and then out into an incredible alpine basin. This particular part of the trail was so unique, dividing the rushing water from the lake except for a slight spillway in the foreground. Often the goal in landscape photography is to simplify - to have a focus, a subject. But I like this image because there's so much going on. The eye doesn't know where to rest, so it rambles over the frame the way the hiker rambles over the land.

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is truly a wonder, clinging so precariously, so tenaciously to the eroding bluffs in defiance of the elements. How long it can hold its own in a losing battle no one knows, but as long as it stands it inspires.

Fallen Petals

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival had been on my radar for a few years, but the timing had never worked out until this year. It was hard to choose just one shot out of the dozens I took on the day, but I think the closeness of this one really spoke to me.

Coast Sunset

Big Sur Sunset. I'd never explored the central coast before, so I set out with a rented Prius and a general hunch I'd be able to camp somewhere. "Somewhere" ended up being Timber Top, a steep climb in the hot sun to a beautiful meadow above the clouds. And while the constant wind meant that cooking was hard and I spent the whole night with tent fabric touching my face, it was worth it for the sunset.

Sunset

Can't get enough of these golden ridgelines in the setting California sun. I'd really only been to the state in the late summer and fall, and the brown dusty hills didn't really do it for me. But being here in the lush spring, I feel like it finally made sense why people would love this state.

Approaching Glacier

A brief descent through fall meadows before another tough climb on the Spider Gap loop trail.

Above the Napeequa

This loop trail in the Glacier Peak Wilderness was probably the highlight of the year for me. Four days in a new part of the state, in some of the most beautiful backcountry I've ever seen. Absolutely stunning from start to finish. The trail was steep and the views were earned, but the were worth the work. This shot back toward Clark Mountain and the Napeequa Valley is both exemplary and ordinary for this adventure – it was truly incredible.

Baker Reflections

This year was full of bucket-list hikes and new adventures, and there's something about the peacefulness of this shot that makes me want to sit back, sip some tea, and reflect. I didn't set out to make that pun, it's just the word that means the thing. Anyway, here's to this crazy year, and to the next.

Rainy day at Colchuck

Oh Colchuck, how complicated my feelings are toward you. This was the third annual "bad planning means I'm one week too late to hike the enchantments" and between gloomy and the chop on the lake I was ready to call the day a bust photography-wise. But then the lake finally calmed right as it started sprinkling and I got this unexpectedly exciting shot.

Mt Baker Sunrise

I have really been enjoying the panorama aspect ratio lately, especially for these beautiful snowy mountains. This shot is of Mt Baker just before sunrise, in the early morning glow.

Shuksan after the Snowfall

Finally made it skiing at Mt Baker on a crystal clear day, and the gusty winds blowing over Shuksan's summit made for a beautiful wintry shot. I'm glad my camera survived my one big wipeout of the day on this run – I think my extra caution to avoid damaging the camera made me tense up and lose my flow. There's a lesson in there somewhere, and I'm glad it didn't come at the cost of a brand new camera.

Storm King Sunset

I had been wanting to do the hike up Mt Storm King for a long time, but it took a long time for weather and life to make it possible. It all finally lined up for a beautiful night in the Olympics, watching the sunset and meeting some great people on the trail. The kind of day that makes you excited for all the days to come.

Heart Lake Reflection

This was a brief moment of sun during the overcast days of my fall ADK adventure. It was a late trip, but it was a late fall, too. Always lucky.⁠

Adirondack Alpine

I really love how these small trees struggling to survive at the alpine zone mess with my sense of scale – if I stare long enough, they start to look like full-size trees and the entire image expands. So excited to have finally gotten to do some exploring in the Adirondacks and looking forward to going back next year!⁠

Autumn at Mt Rainier

In 2021 I finally made it to a couple sections of Mt Rainier National Park I had never explored. The muted fall colors on the Panorama Point trail were a great experience, and sharing it with my parents made it even more special.

Sunset in the Alpine Lakes

This is what I dream of every time I take my camera into the backcountry, and yet it almost didn't happen. I realized about 10 minutes from the trailhead that I had forgotten my hiking shoes at home. Since my only other footwear was some camp sandals that I judged inadequate for the 28 miles I planned to cover in the next two days, I had to add another 2.5 hours of round-trip driving to the house and back. I pulled into the lot at 3pm with a lot of ground to cover before sunset. With a little help from Linkin Park on the steep bits, I made the 12 mile/4100' elevation hike in around 4 hours and just about cried when I saw this perfect view of the Chimney Rock) across the lakes.⁠ About ten minutes after crossing the pass into the lake basin, the sun set and I cooked/set up camp in the waning twilight. So lucky to have made it when I did⁠

Camping in Goat Rocks

I don't usually include photos with people in them, but this shot of our group backpacking expedition in the Goat Rocks Wilderness with Mt Adams) in the background is too good not to share. I love the vibrance of the midsummer wildflowers and the tents in the soft evening light⁠

Rainier from Old Snowy

Finally found my way to the Goat Rocks wilderness on a great recommendation from a new friend. Our merry little band had to brave some fierce clouds of mosquitos and an unforgiving sun but for these views – totally worth it!⁠

Draped Trails

The trail up to the Anderson Glacier Overlook I love when a trail looks like it's been draped over a ridgeline, and everything about this offshoot of the main hike was a marvel. Except for the fact that the Anderson Glacier lost enough ice to cease being a true glacier sometime around 2011, and since it no longer feeds the Quinault River through the summer, the river has been reaching new record low flows. Climate change sucks. We should do something about it.