Jack Mountain, Clouds, 2009

Jack Mountain lies east of the North Cascades National Park. This image, taken later in the day as the one of Kangaroo Ridge in the prior post, was actually taken from the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Ross Lake lies on the eastern side of the North Cascades. Ross Lake and the North Cascades were created at the same time (legally speaking) but is separate from the national park, presumably because there are several power generating facilities within Ross Lake (the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project) which predated the creation of the national park and recreation area.

While Jack Mountain lies within the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, this view is from the Diablo Lake Overlook within Ross Lake. There are a number of overlooks/pullouts along the North Cascades Highway but this is the largest and has views of several peaks (those images will follow in later posts) and the deep green Diablo Lake.

We stopped at Diablo Lake Overlook twice, the first time, the sun was low enough on the horizon so that any photo of Jack Mountain from Diablo Lake included flares. Later in the day (around 3 to 3:30 pm) the sun had gone down in the west, not only eliminating the flares, but illuminating the mountain and the clouds above it. The view was striking.

The image was a digital color image, converted to black and white with a red filter bias to reduce the blues in the sky and to help bring out the contrast on the mountain. The contrast was increased to bring out the majesty of the moment.

For some reason, in working on this image, I was struck by how much digital cameras and software have changed photography. When I used to print black and white negatives, you had to purchase not only the chemicals but also the photography paper with different degrees of contrast. (I was never fond of variable contrast paper.) Today, the contrast adjustments are done with software, before printing the image (if the image is ever printed, so far this one hasn't been). In some ways, I miss the old development process, but I don't miss the hours spent alone in the darkroom, trying to figure out what contrast paper makes the image looks best.

Kangaroo Ridge, Snagtooth Ridge, Okanogan National Forest 2009

We've recently returned from a cruise to Alaska leaving out of Seattle. (Photos from the Cruise can be seen at this blog).

After the cruise ended, we drove up to Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway (or here for The Cascade Loop commercial website). The long drive was worth it as I took many images of the mountains and lakes. The weather was mostly clear with the low humidity making up for the fact that we were at this point in mid-afternoon which is usually not the best time for the angle of the sunlight.

This image is one of several favorites from the drive. It shows the tail end of Kangaroo Ridge (the ridge in the foreground) and Snagtooth Ridge to the right, Silver Star Mountain on the left. For the ridge names, I must trust my GPS mapping program as the Washington Pass topographic map I have is so old, it does not show the North Cascades Highway (which was finished in 1972).

The area around Washington Pass is one of my favorites. I first drove there in 1999, 2000 returning in 2004. Except for 2004, I've only been in June and the weather then, despite repeat warnings from Seattle friends, June weather has usually (2000 was something of an exception) been very kind to me.

I have, in each June visit, still found snow on the ground near (but not on) the highway. (The Washington DOT website, listed above, tracks the progress of the snow clearing work.) One year, there was still enough snow that cross-country skiiers were enjoying the conditions. By going in August (2004) I learned that there is a great overlook the turnoff for which is at Washington Pass. By August, however, the humidity and afternoon sun washed out any decent chance for a photograph.

I hope someday to again stay near Washington Pass to see these mountains in the early morning or late afternoon sun.