2017

Franklin Falls, Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Waterfall Wednesday 12/21/2016

Franklin Falls, Snoqualmie Pass, WA

September 15, 2016 by TamarasCameras

Lake Easton State Park Overnight Camping and Stargazing

Last month I had the perfect opportunity to explore astrophotography with the Perseids meteor shower and clear skies in the forecast. Since the peak of the meteor shower was on a Thursday night, my husband was unable to join me. There was no way I was going to let the ideal conditions pass me by, so I headed out on my first ever solo camping trip!

After looking at a map of the surrounding light pollution, I decided to head east over Snoqualmie Pass. I loaded the car up with my tent and other car camping essentials, along with my camera and tripod. I arrived at Lake Easton State Park in the late afternoon, hoping to find a camping spot near the lake for wide open views of the nights’ sky. I explored the park and learned that the campground was located on the opposite side of the park from the day use area along the shores of Lake Easton. Knowing this, I explained my goals of exploring astrophotography that night to the park ranger at the entrance booth, and he assured me campers were allowed in day use area at night.

I quickly set up camp, ate dinner, and headed to the lake with my camera gear. With over two hours until sunset, I spent the evening reading a book about astrophotography and exploring the settings on my camera. As I was positioning my camera for the best view, I enjoyed photographing the lake as the sun was setting. Just as the first stars started to come into view, a park ranger arrived informing everyone that the day use area was closing for the night. I explained my goals for the night, but unfortunately, the park ranger I spoke to earlier in the day was unaware of the rules and I was forced to leave. Thankfully the park ranger suggested an area nearby in the National Forest with a large field along a forest service road.

Sunset over Lake Easton, Lake Easton State Park, WA

Solo car camping was one thing, but solo night photography along a dark, unfamiliar forest road was another. I followed the directions given to me by the park ranger, and parked in a large field as described. I’m not going to lie – it was quite an eerie feeling to be completely alone in the dark in an unknown area. Once I had my camera set up and started taking pictures, the feeling of being scared was washed away by the feeling of excitement. Once the first meteor streaked across the nights’ sky, all of my fears were completely forgotten.

Perseid meteor shower, National Forest near Easton, WA

Milky Way Galaxy, National Forest near Easton, WA

Airplane and Milky Way Galaxy, National Forest near Easton, WA

Airplane flying over the nights’ sky, National Forest near Easton, WA

Moon setting behind the clouds, National Forest near Easton, WA

I saw more meteors that night than I have in my entire life! The Perseids put on quite a show giving me the perfect opportunity to learn more about astrophotography. I took pictures until the battery in my camera died. It was well into the early morning before I finally loaded my gear back into the car and headed to the campground. As I laid in my tent that night, the sounds of a train echoed off the lake. I slept perfectly that night, no longer letting the idea of camping on my own scare me. I knew this was the beginning of many new solo adventures.

February 18, 2015 by TamarasCameras

Annette Lake Day Hike

Annette Lake trail, Snoqualmie Pass

7.5 miles round trip / 1400′ elevation gain

What happened to the winter in the Pacific Northwest this year? I’m not complaining by any means, but once again the weather felt more like spring as we headed east on I-90 towards the Cascade mountains. Two weeks ago my husband and I tried to beat the crowds by leaving early, only to grab the very last parking space at the trailhead for our day hike. Knowing the situation would be similar, we left even earlier waking before the sunrise. After a quick stop to pick up a fellow hiking friend, our car was the third to reach the parking lot for the Annette Lake trailhead just after 8:00 am. As soon as we stepped out of the car the sounds of Humpback Creek were thundering in the near distance. Although the sun was shining and the Puget Sound area was unseasonably warm, in the higher elevations near Snoqualmie Pass a chill lingered in the morning air. After reading recent trip reports for what is usually a snowshoe hike this time of year, we were prepared for a small amount of icy snow covering the trail at times but hoping for an unobstructed hike. With anticipation for our first visit to a frozen lake, our boots hit the trail as fast as our feet would allow. Almost as soon as the three of us started our way along the Annette Lake trail we came to a bridge crossing Humpback Creek with the backdrop of a beautifully cascading waterfall.

Humpback Creek waterfall, Snoqualmie Pass

The trail to Annette Lake is filled with steep switchbacks most of the way climbing upwards towards our destination. Although we started the morning bundled up to keep warm, after climbing only a few switchbacks we were already stopping to shed layers. With the sun shining in a cloudless sky on unseasonably warm winter day, we couldn’t keep from smiling in spite of the exhausting push upwards along the trail. As the trail ascended alongside the mountain it would occasionally cross a creek or river with very well maintained natural bridges to guide our way.

Annette Lake trail, Snoqualmie Pass

We had to slightly navigate our way around hard packed ice once or twice, but it was hardly worth mentioning. The snowpack was almost non existent and when it was on the trail the ice was so hard it was like hiking on small boulders. On a few occasions we stopped to rest our aching legs and enjoy the wide open views across the valley and Humpback Creek beneath us. Even with a few stops we made good time arriving at Annette Lake in one hour and forty-five minutes. As we walked up to trail and the view of the lake came into sight, the sun was just peeking its head up behind the mountains as if to say good morning.

Annette Lake, Snoqualmie Pass

Annette Lake, Snoqualmie Pass

We spent the morning exploring the lakeside with the warmth of the sun upon our faces. We took turns throwing giant rocks towards the lake in hopes of cracking the ice, but they only bounced and skipped across the thick, frozen surface. As we paused for brunch we enjoyed listening to the soundtrack of a waterfall flowing into Annette Lake in the distance. At times the sun would dip back behind the mountain peaks leaving us cold and eager to make our way back down the trail.

Annette Lake with a small waterfall in the distance, Snoqualmie Pass

Annette Lake, Snoqualmie Pass

With the sun still hiding behind the peaks and the trail descending, our warm layers came in handy once again. The ease of the hike as we made our way back down the trail allowed for great conversation amongst friends. Day hikers were pouring into the trail as we journeyed along making thankful for the decision to get an early start. We were stopped several times by red faced hikers inquiring about the remaining distance and time to the final destination of Annette Lake. In no time we reached the nearly full parking lot in the early afternoon. Once again, our journeys in the Cascade mountains left us with the feeling of great satisfaction. Blues skies surrounded the Puget Sound as we left Snoqualmie Pass behind. Another beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest will hold a special place in our memories.