Exploring the Eastern Slope
Late afternoon light in the William O. Douglas Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington
After a summer of exploring the higher elevations of the Cascades in Washington and Oregon, our recent forays into the mountains have kept us closer to home. A highlight of fall in central Washington is the fall color display put on by the western and subalpine larch, a deciduous conifer that dots the drier slopes and sub-alpine areas of the eastern Cascades. We’ve taken two trips in the past few weeks to look for these gorgeous trees, but sadly arrived a bit early in both cases. Despite the poor timing, these trips took us to some great viewpoints and overlooks and allowed us to experience some amazing autumn sunrises and sunsets:
Sunset from Red Top, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. Mt. Rainier is visible on the horizon at right.
Lingering wildfire smoke makes for a colorful sunset looking across the eastern foothills of the Cascades to Mt. Rainier.
Mt. Rainier rises above cliffs of basalt near Blewett Pass, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington.
A rainbow intersects the basalt canyons and plateaus of the eastern Cascade foothills, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington
Looking west toward the Cascade crest in the William O. Douglas Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Washington
A peaceful campsite in the William O. Douglas Wilderness. Clouds sneaking over the Cascade crest to the west partially obscure the Milky Way, but not bright Jupiter.
Zach Schierl Photography 
I missed these somehow. You always find the most beautiful places!! Thank you for the pictures.
November 9, 2020 at 8:40 pm