Walking through fields of lupine up in the high country is one of my favorite things. It’s especially nice when it’s not wet and overgrowing the trail. Then your boots get wet … and usually your socks. It can be uncomfortable the rest of the day. Fortunately, this was dry and away from the trail. Another close up “panorama”.
Most of the white flowers here are American Bistort with one or two strays mixed in.
This was taken on the High Divide trail in Olympic National Park.
This is the photo that I chose for the cover of my hiking memiors: 60 Years of Hiking in the Olympics. I haven’t been able to get a book seller to carry the hard copy yet, but it is available as an eBook on the Amazon Kindle website.
I’ve got it priced low. By the way, if/when I get it available as a hard copy, I’ll let you all know. The 5.5″ x 8.5″ size is priced at $24.99 US and the interior photos are black and white. The Kindle version is priced at $2.99 US and the images are all in color (except for early images that I took on B&W film.) It is available globally.
Here’s the link (or search for “60 Years of Hiking”):
This was taken a few years ago when I was more able to wander around the high country. We were on our way up to the High Divide and then down to Hoh Lake and back. (Note that the pack doesn’t have a sleeping bag or other items strapped to it … a sure give away that this is a day hike.) We were camped down in the basin (which requires a hard to secure reservation for camping) and were enjoying the scenic highcountry without having a heavy pack. The 7 Lakes Basin is a frequent camp location to those hiking the High Divide loop trail, which provides some of the most stunning views of Mt Olympus and the central Olympics.
I was up on Dodger Point in the Olympic National Park in June when all the Avalance Lilies were in bloom. It was amazing. I’m not concerned about having a lot of other folks heading up there and having the meadow distroyed by wildflower fans. Currently it’s a 18 mile hike to get to this location, and 10 miles of that is a continuous uphill … not really steep, but just continual up.
The area near Hart’s Pass has always been a favorite of mine. You can drive all the way up to subalpine meadows. (once the road is open … and what a road … not for those nervous about heights)
Unfortunately, a big section of what used to be the campground that I favored most burned several years ago. It’s still nice, but it has lost some of what made it special.
