Oregon Waterfalls, Mt Rainier & Palouse Waterfall in 5 Days
Mar 24th, 2017, 12:54 PM
#1
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Oregon Waterfalls, Mt Rainier & Palouse Waterfall in 5 Days
Hi All,
I am planning a 5 Day trip over the Memorial day weekend, reaching Seattle Airport on Wed (24th) and leaving on Mon (29th) from Portland
Planning to cover the following
1. Oregon Waterfalls: Which are the best for Photography ?
2. Mt. Rainier: I have read that some parts may still be closed during May end, thoughts ?
3. Palouse Waterfall: How can I fit this with the other Waterfalls ?
Need help on finalizing the Itinerary and which are the Best Waterfalls for Photography, including Night Photography to capture the Milky Way
Thanks
I am planning a 5 Day trip over the Memorial day weekend, reaching Seattle Airport on Wed (24th) and leaving on Mon (29th) from Portland
Planning to cover the following
1. Oregon Waterfalls: Which are the best for Photography ?
2. Mt. Rainier: I have read that some parts may still be closed during May end, thoughts ?
3. Palouse Waterfall: How can I fit this with the other Waterfalls ?
Need help on finalizing the Itinerary and which are the Best Waterfalls for Photography, including Night Photography to capture the Milky Way
Thanks
Mar 24th, 2017, 01:09 PM
#2
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Note that the Palouse is on the other side of the state from Seattle (and Portland), over 200 miles away. We have lots of waterfalls in Washington and Oregon, no need to go so far away. How about Snoqualmie Falls, quite near Seattle?
We have had a lot of snow this winter. North Cascades Highway won't open until June, Mt. Rainier may or may not be accessible at the end of May.
We have had a lot of snow this winter. North Cascades Highway won't open until June, Mt. Rainier may or may not be accessible at the end of May.
Mar 24th, 2017, 02:20 PM
#3
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Silver Falls State Park is pretty cool.
It would make more sense to fly in and out of portland- Go to Silver falls, drive the gorge, go to Palouse Falls. That would be easy to accomplish in 5 days.
Lodging may be pricy and difficult in Portland and Seattle. Wondering if you have any reservations yet? Night sky photography depends on clear skies and being out far enough way from light pollution. I don't think that's workable for this trip, but maybe you'll get lucky.
It would make more sense to fly in and out of portland- Go to Silver falls, drive the gorge, go to Palouse Falls. That would be easy to accomplish in 5 days.
Lodging may be pricy and difficult in Portland and Seattle. Wondering if you have any reservations yet? Night sky photography depends on clear skies and being out far enough way from light pollution. I don't think that's workable for this trip, but maybe you'll get lucky.
Mar 24th, 2017, 03:11 PM
#4
Mt. Rainier isn't "closed," it's just going to be very snowy at elevation. There will probably be ~6+ feet of snow on the ground at the Paradise visitor center; the road to the Sunrise visitor center probably won't be open until well into June this year as it's been a very snowy winter in the mountains. Plus, in May the chances are excellent that everything will be well and truly socked in. So I'd skip Rainier this trip.
But wait, there's more. Here's a map of the route I'd suggest - https://goo.gl/maps/7QdrGt1x7Yt . Cross the Cascades on I-90 and continue east to Palouse Falls. Then continue east to Steptoe Butte State Park. In late May you're still going to be in the Palouse at the peak of its "green" phase, when the rolling hills are covered in wheat grass, turning the world every conceivable shade of green, along with purples, golds... knocks your eyeballs out, paradise for photographers. http://gardyloo.us/20130409_190a.JPG and http://gardyloo.us/20130409_207a.JPG
Then drive around the Palouse - Pomeroy and Dayton are interesting historic towns in the middle of beautiful country, then head south by west to the Columbia River.
Head west down the river to Maryhill at the junction of US 97 and I-84/WA 14. For nighttime shots with stars, consider shooting at the Stonehenge Memorial a little east of the funky Maryhill Museum. http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/2013/w...benCanales.jpg
Now if the weather turns okay, and you still want to visit a volcano, shoot south through the Hood River Valley (probably still with blooming orchards) to Mt. Hood. http://gardyloo.us/20100509_85a.JPG The road up to Timberline Lodge will be open and the historic inn is always worth a visit.
The major waterfalls in the Gorge are all located along the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway. Expect big crowds (justified) at Multnomah Falls; my personal favorite is Latourell Falls a little farther west, but they're all terrific.
Five days is enough for this trip; the driving is easy and pretty much every road you meander is going to deliver the goods.
For waterfall night/star shots, Palouse Falls is your go-to destination. The Gorge waterfalls are all surrounded by trees and overhanging brush, while Palouse Falls is located in high desert and the odds of clear skies east of the Cascades are orders of magnitude more favorable than in the Gorge.
But wait, there's more. Here's a map of the route I'd suggest - https://goo.gl/maps/7QdrGt1x7Yt . Cross the Cascades on I-90 and continue east to Palouse Falls. Then continue east to Steptoe Butte State Park. In late May you're still going to be in the Palouse at the peak of its "green" phase, when the rolling hills are covered in wheat grass, turning the world every conceivable shade of green, along with purples, golds... knocks your eyeballs out, paradise for photographers. http://gardyloo.us/20130409_190a.JPG and http://gardyloo.us/20130409_207a.JPG
Then drive around the Palouse - Pomeroy and Dayton are interesting historic towns in the middle of beautiful country, then head south by west to the Columbia River.
Head west down the river to Maryhill at the junction of US 97 and I-84/WA 14. For nighttime shots with stars, consider shooting at the Stonehenge Memorial a little east of the funky Maryhill Museum. http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/2013/w...benCanales.jpg
Now if the weather turns okay, and you still want to visit a volcano, shoot south through the Hood River Valley (probably still with blooming orchards) to Mt. Hood. http://gardyloo.us/20100509_85a.JPG The road up to Timberline Lodge will be open and the historic inn is always worth a visit.
The major waterfalls in the Gorge are all located along the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway. Expect big crowds (justified) at Multnomah Falls; my personal favorite is Latourell Falls a little farther west, but they're all terrific.
Five days is enough for this trip; the driving is easy and pretty much every road you meander is going to deliver the goods.
For waterfall night/star shots, Palouse Falls is your go-to destination. The Gorge waterfalls are all surrounded by trees and overhanging brush, while Palouse Falls is located in high desert and the odds of clear skies east of the Cascades are orders of magnitude more favorable than in the Gorge.
Mar 24th, 2017, 05:03 PM
#5
Multnomah Falls are the tallest in Oregon but they are next to I-84. There is parking in a lot in the median (left exit).
There is also parking down below on the old Columbia Gorge Highway. The old highway has parking lots for several other nice waterfall trail heads.
I've never seen Palouse but I doubt that it is any better than the others in the Columbia Gorge area.
If you wanted a waterfall far from light pollution, you can visit Salt Creek Falls off Rt. 58 SE of Eugene.
On a clear night you should see the Milky Way from there.
The level walk from parking over to Salt Creek Falls takes you to the top of the falls.
I have a friend who is the manager at the Pine Mountain Observatory which is about 26 miles SE of Bend (8 miles south of US 20). The University of Oregon chose the site to get away from light pollution.
There is also parking down below on the old Columbia Gorge Highway. The old highway has parking lots for several other nice waterfall trail heads.
I've never seen Palouse but I doubt that it is any better than the others in the Columbia Gorge area.
If you wanted a waterfall far from light pollution, you can visit Salt Creek Falls off Rt. 58 SE of Eugene.
On a clear night you should see the Milky Way from there.
The level walk from parking over to Salt Creek Falls takes you to the top of the falls.
I have a friend who is the manager at the Pine Mountain Observatory which is about 26 miles SE of Bend (8 miles south of US 20). The University of Oregon chose the site to get away from light pollution.
Mar 24th, 2017, 05:41 PM
#6
I've never seen Palouse but I doubt that it is any better than the others in the Columbia Gorge area.
They're totally different.
Latourell Falls in the Gorge: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_42b.JPG
Palouse Falls: http://gardyloo.us/20130409_300a.JPG
They're totally different.
Latourell Falls in the Gorge: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_42b.JPG
Palouse Falls: http://gardyloo.us/20130409_300a.JPG
Mar 25th, 2017, 05:25 AM
#7
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Palouse Falls is dandy, but in five days you would be better advised to focus on Snoqualmie Falls, the waterfalls in the Columbia River gorge, and Silver Falls State Park. There are also waterfalls in Mt. Rainier National Park: https://visitrainier.com/places-and-...ns/waterfalls/
HTtY
HTtY
Mar 30th, 2017, 04:41 PM
#8
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Thanks ALL for your inputs. I have come up with a tentative Itinerary.
Just want to clarify, that I totally understand the amount of driving this route entails and have seen and double checked everything in Google Maps. There will be 3 of us driving and we are used to taking turns and driving 300-400 miles a day, around 7-8 hrs (or more) of driving every day. (You will see similar discussions by me on other National Parks in my profile)
Due to the limited amount of days we have, I want to make the best (feasible) use of time to get nice landscapes/compositions/night shots. And I totally understand that we are not doing justice to the places that we want to see and we will not be able to see everything, but that is how it is
Day 1:
Olympic NP (However much we can cover), then Night stay near North Cascades NP. How much of ONP do you think we can cover and what would be the most scenic route, keeping in mind that we have to travel north towards North Cascades. What would be a nice place to stay near North Cascades, keeping in mind the Night photography aspect
Day 2: Drive towards Mt. Rainier via Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth etc and head towards Mt. Rainier. Night halt somewhere on the way, maybe Ellensburg etc. Which route would be the most scenic and what would be nice place to stay near Mt. Rainier, keeping in mind the Night photography aspect
Day 3: See Mt. Rainier and head towards Palouse. Night Photography at Palouse Waterfalls. Which route would be scenic and which place should we stay at Night ?
Day 4: See Steptoe Butte SP and head towards Columbia River Gorge. Which route would be scenic and which place should we stay at Night ?
Day 5: See Columbia RIVER GORGE - Hood River Valley and the waterfalls – Multnomah, others. Have Flight in the evening at around 7 from Portland
Thanks as ALWAYS for your Guidance….It has helped me efficiently plan my earlier trips, ALWAYS.
Regards
Manish
Just want to clarify, that I totally understand the amount of driving this route entails and have seen and double checked everything in Google Maps. There will be 3 of us driving and we are used to taking turns and driving 300-400 miles a day, around 7-8 hrs (or more) of driving every day. (You will see similar discussions by me on other National Parks in my profile)
Due to the limited amount of days we have, I want to make the best (feasible) use of time to get nice landscapes/compositions/night shots. And I totally understand that we are not doing justice to the places that we want to see and we will not be able to see everything, but that is how it is
Day 1:
Olympic NP (However much we can cover), then Night stay near North Cascades NP. How much of ONP do you think we can cover and what would be the most scenic route, keeping in mind that we have to travel north towards North Cascades. What would be a nice place to stay near North Cascades, keeping in mind the Night photography aspect
Day 2: Drive towards Mt. Rainier via Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth etc and head towards Mt. Rainier. Night halt somewhere on the way, maybe Ellensburg etc. Which route would be the most scenic and what would be nice place to stay near Mt. Rainier, keeping in mind the Night photography aspect
Day 3: See Mt. Rainier and head towards Palouse. Night Photography at Palouse Waterfalls. Which route would be scenic and which place should we stay at Night ?
Day 4: See Steptoe Butte SP and head towards Columbia River Gorge. Which route would be scenic and which place should we stay at Night ?
Day 5: See Columbia RIVER GORGE - Hood River Valley and the waterfalls – Multnomah, others. Have Flight in the evening at around 7 from Portland
Thanks as ALWAYS for your Guidance….It has helped me efficiently plan my earlier trips, ALWAYS.
Regards
Manish
Mar 30th, 2017, 05:18 PM
#9
The problem with ONP is that there are no 'through' roads.
The one area of ONP that I would like to photograph is the Hoh Rain Forest.
I have seen hundreds of good pictures of Multnomah Falls (Oregon's tallest). One of the other waterfalls east of Multnomah, you can walk behind on a trail.
If you want a waterfall that you can get very close to, try for Silver Falls SP outside Salem. There are several nice waterfalls within the State Park.
If you can, please stay in Hood River. You might get some pictures of sailboarders on the Columbia River.
If the rental car company wants to charge a drop fee on the car, one of you take it back to SEA and take the train back to Portland. There is good TriMet service on the red line out to PDX airport from downtown Portland.
The one area of ONP that I would like to photograph is the Hoh Rain Forest.
I have seen hundreds of good pictures of Multnomah Falls (Oregon's tallest). One of the other waterfalls east of Multnomah, you can walk behind on a trail.
If you want a waterfall that you can get very close to, try for Silver Falls SP outside Salem. There are several nice waterfalls within the State Park.
If you can, please stay in Hood River. You might get some pictures of sailboarders on the Columbia River.
If the rental car company wants to charge a drop fee on the car, one of you take it back to SEA and take the train back to Portland. There is good TriMet service on the red line out to PDX airport from downtown Portland.
Mar 30th, 2017, 05:52 PM
#10
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Thanks. Car rental is not an issue
Actually this is my tentative route:
https://goo.gl/maps/XXDS2C3uPuP2
I have actually seen Hurricane Ridge, Ho Rain Forest and the Beaches in one of my earlier trips. One of my friends wanted to see ONP so I wanted to understand what would be the best/closest place in ONP, keeping in mind that we have to spend the night near North Cascades on Day 1
e.g. Is it realistic to go to Quinault/Ho Rain Forest and then head up towards North Cascades, in which case which would be a scenic route ?
Actually this is my tentative route:
https://goo.gl/maps/XXDS2C3uPuP2
I have actually seen Hurricane Ridge, Ho Rain Forest and the Beaches in one of my earlier trips. One of my friends wanted to see ONP so I wanted to understand what would be the best/closest place in ONP, keeping in mind that we have to spend the night near North Cascades on Day 1
e.g. Is it realistic to go to Quinault/Ho Rain Forest and then head up towards North Cascades, in which case which would be a scenic route ?
Mar 30th, 2017, 10:15 PM
#11
Status of roads in Mt. Rainier - https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/road-status.htm
Hurricaine Ridge south of Port Angeles would be the closest place to see a part of ONP.
Hurricaine Ridge south of Port Angeles would be the closest place to see a part of ONP.
Mar 31st, 2017, 06:54 AM
#12
I'm going to be blunt: back to the drawing board.
Your grossly underestimates drive times. (Google does that - distances are good, times not so much.) Plus entering destinations like "Olympic National Park" sends Google to the closest point in the park if it can figure it out, otherwise to something that looks to the robots like the geographic center or a major visitor center, regardless of whether that point is worth visiting or not. This creates useless maps.
- If you've previously visited Olympic NP you should know that the park has a wilderness core and all the visitor destinations are arranged around the periphery on the northern and western edges of the park and Olympic peninsula. Your plan wouldn't give you anywhere near enough time to see much at all - maybe Hurricane Ridge, which could well be socked in. May is still fog, rain and cloud (and this year, snow) season in the mountains and the odds of seeing anything else are poor; at best it's a lousy risk-reward calculation.
- The main road into North Cascades NP is probably going to open later this year than any year in the past; instead of mid-late April as usual, they're talking about June, maybe even mid-June. Getting to the Diablo Lake, where the road (SR20) is closed is extremely time-consuming and a very poor use of your time; there's better and more accessible scenery elsewhere. Plus you'll be back in rain/cloud/fog country.
- Night photography anywhere west of the Cascades in May is going to require extraordinary luck. Since that seems to be a priority, why are you spending so much time in the part of the region where you're least likely to have good conditions?
Look, this is your trip and you're free to follow whatever route you choose. But having gone to all these areas multiple times, as an amateur photographer myself, I'll just suggest this as an alternative plan. Follow it if you want, or not.
Day 1 - Drive to Paradise on Mt. Rainier. There will still be a lot of snow on the roadside and on the trails, but the road itself will be bare as will the parking areas near the visitor center, and if you're in luck you'll be able to see the mountain looming above you. Then continue east on the spectacular Stevens Canyon Road, which will give you excellent scenery as well as (hopefully) a shot of Rainier over the Reflection Lakes, which will probably still have ice on them. (Summer - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...20903_677s.jpg ) Then continue east over White Pass on US 12 - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/050as.jpg - into the Yakima Valley. Spend the night somewhere around Naches or Yakima.
Day 2 - Drive east to Steptoe Butte for pictures of the local hills. Then drive south toward Pullman or Moscow, then meander around the various country roads and small towns - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...30409_279a.jpg - before ending up in Dayton. Find a place to stay, then head up to Palouse Falls in the afternoon/evening and hang out until dark. It's probably 40-45 min. from Dayton, and you'll have to retrace your route after you're done with the picture-taking, but as far as I know Dayton has the closest accommodations to the falls, which are really in the middle of nowhere.
Day 3 - Travel through more of the Palouse hills and vineyards to Walla Walla, then west to the Columbia and on to The Dalles or Hood River. (Hood River accommodations might be pricey on Memorial Day weekend; The Dalles is going to be more affordable.) Spend the rest of the day exploring the Gorge east of Hood River, but that night go to the Maryhill Stonehenge site for more photography.
Day 4 - Spend the day around the Hood River Valley and Mt. Hood. Also travel to Trout Lake on the north side of the Columbia for (hopefully) great views of Mt. Adams. On the Oregon side, visit Lost Lake for good views of Mt. Hood, and Panorama Point near Hood River for terrific views of the valley and mountain. If time permits head up to Timberline Lodge on the side of the mountain.
Day 5 - Visit the waterfalls along the Gorge walls. Hit Multnomah Falls as early as possible before the crowds arrive - on holiday weekends it can get VERY congested. Stop at the Bonneville hatchery for pictures of Herman the Sturgeon, see Latourell Falls, stop at Vista House and the Portland Women's Forum viewpoint for the definitive picture of the Gorge - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...0100509_5a.jpg - then head toward Portland. If your flight is later in the evening, stop at McMenamins Edgefield - https://www.mcmenamins.com/edgefield - for a pint and a meal before going to the airport.
Map - https://goo.gl/maps/x4w25681Jys
This is a radical reworking of your plan, but IMO will make much better use of your time than a lot of potentially pointless driving to national parks that will be largely inaccessible at that time of year. But again, it's your call.
Your grossly underestimates drive times. (Google does that - distances are good, times not so much.) Plus entering destinations like "Olympic National Park" sends Google to the closest point in the park if it can figure it out, otherwise to something that looks to the robots like the geographic center or a major visitor center, regardless of whether that point is worth visiting or not. This creates useless maps.
- If you've previously visited Olympic NP you should know that the park has a wilderness core and all the visitor destinations are arranged around the periphery on the northern and western edges of the park and Olympic peninsula. Your plan wouldn't give you anywhere near enough time to see much at all - maybe Hurricane Ridge, which could well be socked in. May is still fog, rain and cloud (and this year, snow) season in the mountains and the odds of seeing anything else are poor; at best it's a lousy risk-reward calculation.
- The main road into North Cascades NP is probably going to open later this year than any year in the past; instead of mid-late April as usual, they're talking about June, maybe even mid-June. Getting to the Diablo Lake, where the road (SR20) is closed is extremely time-consuming and a very poor use of your time; there's better and more accessible scenery elsewhere. Plus you'll be back in rain/cloud/fog country.
- Night photography anywhere west of the Cascades in May is going to require extraordinary luck. Since that seems to be a priority, why are you spending so much time in the part of the region where you're least likely to have good conditions?
Look, this is your trip and you're free to follow whatever route you choose. But having gone to all these areas multiple times, as an amateur photographer myself, I'll just suggest this as an alternative plan. Follow it if you want, or not.
Day 1 - Drive to Paradise on Mt. Rainier. There will still be a lot of snow on the roadside and on the trails, but the road itself will be bare as will the parking areas near the visitor center, and if you're in luck you'll be able to see the mountain looming above you. Then continue east on the spectacular Stevens Canyon Road, which will give you excellent scenery as well as (hopefully) a shot of Rainier over the Reflection Lakes, which will probably still have ice on them. (Summer - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...20903_677s.jpg ) Then continue east over White Pass on US 12 - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/050as.jpg - into the Yakima Valley. Spend the night somewhere around Naches or Yakima.
Day 2 - Drive east to Steptoe Butte for pictures of the local hills. Then drive south toward Pullman or Moscow, then meander around the various country roads and small towns - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...30409_279a.jpg - before ending up in Dayton. Find a place to stay, then head up to Palouse Falls in the afternoon/evening and hang out until dark. It's probably 40-45 min. from Dayton, and you'll have to retrace your route after you're done with the picture-taking, but as far as I know Dayton has the closest accommodations to the falls, which are really in the middle of nowhere.
Day 3 - Travel through more of the Palouse hills and vineyards to Walla Walla, then west to the Columbia and on to The Dalles or Hood River. (Hood River accommodations might be pricey on Memorial Day weekend; The Dalles is going to be more affordable.) Spend the rest of the day exploring the Gorge east of Hood River, but that night go to the Maryhill Stonehenge site for more photography.
Day 4 - Spend the day around the Hood River Valley and Mt. Hood. Also travel to Trout Lake on the north side of the Columbia for (hopefully) great views of Mt. Adams. On the Oregon side, visit Lost Lake for good views of Mt. Hood, and Panorama Point near Hood River for terrific views of the valley and mountain. If time permits head up to Timberline Lodge on the side of the mountain.
Day 5 - Visit the waterfalls along the Gorge walls. Hit Multnomah Falls as early as possible before the crowds arrive - on holiday weekends it can get VERY congested. Stop at the Bonneville hatchery for pictures of Herman the Sturgeon, see Latourell Falls, stop at Vista House and the Portland Women's Forum viewpoint for the definitive picture of the Gorge - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...0100509_5a.jpg - then head toward Portland. If your flight is later in the evening, stop at McMenamins Edgefield - https://www.mcmenamins.com/edgefield - for a pint and a meal before going to the airport.
Map - https://goo.gl/maps/x4w25681Jys
This is a radical reworking of your plan, but IMO will make much better use of your time than a lot of potentially pointless driving to national parks that will be largely inaccessible at that time of year. But again, it's your call.
Mar 31st, 2017, 08:31 AM
#13
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Your revised itinerary is one of the most poorly conceived I have seen in twelve years at this forum.
You originally expressed an interest in photographing waterfalls, and we advised you how to accomplish this without pointlessly long drives.
Please let us know how your itinerary works for you.
HTtY
You originally expressed an interest in photographing waterfalls, and we advised you how to accomplish this without pointlessly long drives.
Please let us know how your itinerary works for you.
HTtY
Apr 14th, 2017, 07:40 PM
#16
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Thanks All for your detailed suggestions. Truly Appreciate it !! (an extra Thanks for "Gardyloo)
Please provide your inputs to the route and places that I have mentioned below. My map is looking as follows: https://goo.gl/maps/hRrR8RRpsWw.
Day 1: Sunrise @ Hurricane Ridge, Ho Rain Forest, take the evening Ferry to Coupeville, then Chuckanut Scenic Drive, Sunset @ Picture Lake; Night Photography @ Picture Lake; staying in Rockport
Day 2: Sunrise @ Ross/Diablo Lake; which other places should I see in the North Cascades NP? Then take Hwy 2 towards Leavenworth, then Rt 97, then Rt 970, Night Photography @ Cle Elum Lake; staying in Cle Elum
Day 3: Where should I do Sunrise photography near Cle Elum? Then take I 90 to Snoqualmie Falls, then head to Mt Rainier NP. Should I go via Rt 410 or Rt 165? Which places should I see here ? Then head towards Palouse Falls for Night Photography. Where can I get nice Sunset photos on my way towards Palouse? Stay near Colfax
Day 4: Where should I do Sunrise photography near Colfax? Do the Palouse Scenic Byway and head towards Columbia River Gorge. Which would be the most scenic route and where can I get nice Sunset photos and Milky Way ? Stay near Stonehenge memorial
Day5: Where should I do Sunrise photography near Stonehenge memorial? See the Waterfalls in Columbia River Gorge and return to Portland in the evening
- Thanks
Please provide your inputs to the route and places that I have mentioned below. My map is looking as follows: https://goo.gl/maps/hRrR8RRpsWw.
Day 1: Sunrise @ Hurricane Ridge, Ho Rain Forest, take the evening Ferry to Coupeville, then Chuckanut Scenic Drive, Sunset @ Picture Lake; Night Photography @ Picture Lake; staying in Rockport
Day 2: Sunrise @ Ross/Diablo Lake; which other places should I see in the North Cascades NP? Then take Hwy 2 towards Leavenworth, then Rt 97, then Rt 970, Night Photography @ Cle Elum Lake; staying in Cle Elum
Day 3: Where should I do Sunrise photography near Cle Elum? Then take I 90 to Snoqualmie Falls, then head to Mt Rainier NP. Should I go via Rt 410 or Rt 165? Which places should I see here ? Then head towards Palouse Falls for Night Photography. Where can I get nice Sunset photos on my way towards Palouse? Stay near Colfax
Day 4: Where should I do Sunrise photography near Colfax? Do the Palouse Scenic Byway and head towards Columbia River Gorge. Which would be the most scenic route and where can I get nice Sunset photos and Milky Way ? Stay near Stonehenge memorial
Day5: Where should I do Sunrise photography near Stonehenge memorial? See the Waterfalls in Columbia River Gorge and return to Portland in the evening
- Thanks
Apr 15th, 2017, 06:46 AM
#17
Okay, some points and reality checks...
Day 1. If you mean Picture Lake at the end of the Mt. Baker Hwy (SR 542) then be advised that road will be closed by snow until well into June, and the lake frozen over.
Day 2. SR 20 is presently closed at Newhalem (MP 121) due a rock slide with no opening ETA scheduled, because it's very close to the usual winter closure point at MP 134 at Diablo. The road closure through the national park is expected to last until June this year because of unusually heavy snow. That makes your entire Day 1 night/ Day 2 morning plan moot - you won't be able to get to the lakes, and the road up to that point is pretty blah. In addition, SR 530, which you'd want to use to get to US 2 for the Stevens Pass part of Day 2 is open and closed on and off, again with no reliable schedules, due to an unstable hillside that threatens the whole road. This is where the giant Oso landslide killed 43 people three years ago.
I would skip the entire Chuckanut/Mt. Baker/North Cascades part of your trip. Roads will be closed by snow and the weather's likely to be utterly unsuitable for night or sunrise photography. You'll still be in the rainy season.
Note this is what I tried to say in my prior posts. I'm sorry if you don't like the message, but the message is unchanged.
Instead on Day 1 I'd overnight in Oak Harbor and do your morning photography at Deception Pass. Look at the tide tables and try to be there at peak flood/ebb tide, when the water races through the channel at a terrific pace.
Then on Day 2 cross the Cascades on US 2. Detour to Lake Wenatchee near Leavenworth for some (possible) decent photo-ops. Then head south over Blewett Pass (US 97). Stay in either Cle Elum or (my preference) Ellensburg. I would do both sunset and sunrise (Day 3) photography at the Wild Horses monument/overlook where I-90 crosses the Columbia River at Vantage. East/sunrise - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...130409_43a.jpg and west/sunset - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...130409_52a.jpg
Day 3 is impossible. Like the North Cascades, Mt. Rainier will have ten feet or more of snow on the ground. The road to the Sunrise visitor center will be closed, and getting to Paradise will entail an incredibly long drive. My friend, you're just going to have to accept reality when it comes to the Cascades in late May - you're simply too early.
So instead, on Day 3, start at the Vantage viewpoint, then maybe explore Gingko Petrified Forest State Park near the bridge then head east to Steptoe Butte. The landscape between I-90 and Colfax is intriguing - potholes, sand hills.. lots of interesting shapes. Do your sunset and sunrise photography at Steptoe Butte.
So here's an alternative day if you scrubbed the North Cascades and Rainier, and don't mind a few extra hours of driving. Look at Joseph, Oregon on the map. Joseph is a picturesque little town in the middle of the Wallowa Mountains, one of the real "hidden gems" in the Pacific Northwest. It's a couple of hours' drive from Walla Walla, but it's a photographer's paradise, so I'd be busy redoing my timetable to include it.
Frankly, given your priorities I'd drop the Olympic peninsula and Olympic NP altogether given that you'll be in the same wet conditions there as in the Cascades. And I'd add in the Wallowas to your plan. That would give you better weather, fewer road miles, and equal variety. From Joseph, it's a straight shot back to Maryhill and down the Gorge.
Do your night photography at Stonehenge, and hope for clear skies. Remember days are very long in late May, so it will probably be midnight by the time you can see stars. You might also google "Goldendale Observatory" to see if they've re-opened. What better place to stargaze than at an observatory where they do it for a living?
Day 1. If you mean Picture Lake at the end of the Mt. Baker Hwy (SR 542) then be advised that road will be closed by snow until well into June, and the lake frozen over.
Day 2. SR 20 is presently closed at Newhalem (MP 121) due a rock slide with no opening ETA scheduled, because it's very close to the usual winter closure point at MP 134 at Diablo. The road closure through the national park is expected to last until June this year because of unusually heavy snow. That makes your entire Day 1 night/ Day 2 morning plan moot - you won't be able to get to the lakes, and the road up to that point is pretty blah. In addition, SR 530, which you'd want to use to get to US 2 for the Stevens Pass part of Day 2 is open and closed on and off, again with no reliable schedules, due to an unstable hillside that threatens the whole road. This is where the giant Oso landslide killed 43 people three years ago.
I would skip the entire Chuckanut/Mt. Baker/North Cascades part of your trip. Roads will be closed by snow and the weather's likely to be utterly unsuitable for night or sunrise photography. You'll still be in the rainy season.
Note this is what I tried to say in my prior posts. I'm sorry if you don't like the message, but the message is unchanged.
Instead on Day 1 I'd overnight in Oak Harbor and do your morning photography at Deception Pass. Look at the tide tables and try to be there at peak flood/ebb tide, when the water races through the channel at a terrific pace.
Then on Day 2 cross the Cascades on US 2. Detour to Lake Wenatchee near Leavenworth for some (possible) decent photo-ops. Then head south over Blewett Pass (US 97). Stay in either Cle Elum or (my preference) Ellensburg. I would do both sunset and sunrise (Day 3) photography at the Wild Horses monument/overlook where I-90 crosses the Columbia River at Vantage. East/sunrise - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...130409_43a.jpg and west/sunset - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...130409_52a.jpg
Day 3 is impossible. Like the North Cascades, Mt. Rainier will have ten feet or more of snow on the ground. The road to the Sunrise visitor center will be closed, and getting to Paradise will entail an incredibly long drive. My friend, you're just going to have to accept reality when it comes to the Cascades in late May - you're simply too early.
So instead, on Day 3, start at the Vantage viewpoint, then maybe explore Gingko Petrified Forest State Park near the bridge then head east to Steptoe Butte. The landscape between I-90 and Colfax is intriguing - potholes, sand hills.. lots of interesting shapes. Do your sunset and sunrise photography at Steptoe Butte.
So here's an alternative day if you scrubbed the North Cascades and Rainier, and don't mind a few extra hours of driving. Look at Joseph, Oregon on the map. Joseph is a picturesque little town in the middle of the Wallowa Mountains, one of the real "hidden gems" in the Pacific Northwest. It's a couple of hours' drive from Walla Walla, but it's a photographer's paradise, so I'd be busy redoing my timetable to include it.
Frankly, given your priorities I'd drop the Olympic peninsula and Olympic NP altogether given that you'll be in the same wet conditions there as in the Cascades. And I'd add in the Wallowas to your plan. That would give you better weather, fewer road miles, and equal variety. From Joseph, it's a straight shot back to Maryhill and down the Gorge.
Do your night photography at Stonehenge, and hope for clear skies. Remember days are very long in late May, so it will probably be midnight by the time you can see stars. You might also google "Goldendale Observatory" to see if they've re-opened. What better place to stargaze than at an observatory where they do it for a living?
Apr 15th, 2017, 07:09 AM
#18
My friend Mark Dunaway is manager of the Pine Mountain Observatory. The observatory is 26 mile SE of Bend Oregon.
http://visitcentraloregon.com/member...n-observatory/
http://visitcentraloregon.com/member...n-observatory/
May 21st, 2017, 08:13 PM
#19
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Hi All,
With our trip a few days away, below is a detailed summary of our 5 day itinerary. Need help on last minute inputs for Best Landscape routes, Best Waterfalls for Photography, including Night Photography to capture the Lakes, Milky Way, Sunrise/Sunsets etc
Day 1:
• Sunrise - Hurricane Ridge
• Midday – Which of these or others are an absolute must: Marymere Falls, Madison Falls, Crescent Lake, Sol Duc Falls, Ho Rain Forest etc….Take evening Ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville, then Chuckanut Scenic Drive
• Sunset – Where can I get a nice Sunset location? Any of these - Deception Pass SP, Woodstock Farm, Chuckanut etc ? Or should we do Sunset at Picture Lake and/or Artist Point on Hwy 542 ? Is Nooksack Falls good?
• Night Photography – Picture Lake
Day 2:
• Sunrise – Picture Lake or is there any other nice location in that region ?
• Midday – North Cascades NP, read that route between Diablo and Mazama is now open, Diablo, Ross Lake…then come down to Big Four Ice Caves via route 530, thenn Wallace Falls SP. Any other must see places on Hwy 2 ? Planning to take Rt 97, then 970 after Hwy 2
• Sunset – Where can I get a nice Sunset location on Hwy 2 – preferably with a Lake in the background, we are open for any short hikes as well
• Night Photography – Any dark place near Cle Elum? Any of the lakes ?
Day 3:
• Sunrise – Any nice location near Cle Elum ?
• Midday – Snoqualmie Falls, then then head to Mt Rainier NP. Should I go via Rt 410 (White River Entrance) or Rt 706 (Nisqually)? I am assuming Rt 165 will be closed. Does this look okay - https://goo.gl/maps/4LXfwrJ8iuw
Will any of these falls be open to view: Wauhaukaupauken Falls, Spray, Narada ?
• Sunset – Reflection Lake or can I get a nice Sunset location on Hwy 12 en route to Palouse Waterfalls
• Night Photography – Palouse Waterfalls
Day 4:
• Sunrise – Any nice location near Colfax? Steptoe Butte or any other ?
• Midday – Steptoe Butte, Palouse Scenic Byway
• Sunset – Palouse Waterfalls or any other place en route to Stonhenege ? What is the most scenic route from Palouse to Stonehenge Memorial ?
• Night Photography – Stonehenge Memorial
Day 5:
• Sunrise – Any nice location near Biggs Junction ?
• Midday until 6 PM – Should we try to see Trout Lake (141) or Lost Lake (281) as a detour, before going to see the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls? Which falls are a must see ?
- Thanks
With our trip a few days away, below is a detailed summary of our 5 day itinerary. Need help on last minute inputs for Best Landscape routes, Best Waterfalls for Photography, including Night Photography to capture the Lakes, Milky Way, Sunrise/Sunsets etc
Day 1:
• Sunrise - Hurricane Ridge
• Midday – Which of these or others are an absolute must: Marymere Falls, Madison Falls, Crescent Lake, Sol Duc Falls, Ho Rain Forest etc….Take evening Ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville, then Chuckanut Scenic Drive
• Sunset – Where can I get a nice Sunset location? Any of these - Deception Pass SP, Woodstock Farm, Chuckanut etc ? Or should we do Sunset at Picture Lake and/or Artist Point on Hwy 542 ? Is Nooksack Falls good?
• Night Photography – Picture Lake
Day 2:
• Sunrise – Picture Lake or is there any other nice location in that region ?
• Midday – North Cascades NP, read that route between Diablo and Mazama is now open, Diablo, Ross Lake…then come down to Big Four Ice Caves via route 530, thenn Wallace Falls SP. Any other must see places on Hwy 2 ? Planning to take Rt 97, then 970 after Hwy 2
• Sunset – Where can I get a nice Sunset location on Hwy 2 – preferably with a Lake in the background, we are open for any short hikes as well
• Night Photography – Any dark place near Cle Elum? Any of the lakes ?
Day 3:
• Sunrise – Any nice location near Cle Elum ?
• Midday – Snoqualmie Falls, then then head to Mt Rainier NP. Should I go via Rt 410 (White River Entrance) or Rt 706 (Nisqually)? I am assuming Rt 165 will be closed. Does this look okay - https://goo.gl/maps/4LXfwrJ8iuw
Will any of these falls be open to view: Wauhaukaupauken Falls, Spray, Narada ?
• Sunset – Reflection Lake or can I get a nice Sunset location on Hwy 12 en route to Palouse Waterfalls
• Night Photography – Palouse Waterfalls
Day 4:
• Sunrise – Any nice location near Colfax? Steptoe Butte or any other ?
• Midday – Steptoe Butte, Palouse Scenic Byway
• Sunset – Palouse Waterfalls or any other place en route to Stonhenege ? What is the most scenic route from Palouse to Stonehenge Memorial ?
• Night Photography – Stonehenge Memorial
Day 5:
• Sunrise – Any nice location near Biggs Junction ?
• Midday until 6 PM – Should we try to see Trout Lake (141) or Lost Lake (281) as a detour, before going to see the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls? Which falls are a must see ?
- Thanks
