Exploring the Earth and Sky of the West

Mt. Adams and the South Cascades, Washington Photography

  • Reflection of Milky Way and volcanic cone in a tranquil lake.
    Bright Jupiter rises above the summit of Mt. Adams, with the summer Milky Way reflected in the calm surface of Takhlakh Lake.
  • Orange and pink sunset light on the summit of a tall snow-capped mountain.
    Sunset light on the summit of Mt. Adams.
  • Orange sunset light on a tall, snow-capped mountain peak is reflected in a foreground pond.
    Mt. Adams reflected in Takhlakh Lake at sunset.
  • A dark blue twilight sky is bisected by the glow of the Milky Way, and reflected in a tranquil pond.
    The Milky Way begins to emerge in twilight.
  • The night sky including the Milky Way and the streak of a meteor is seen over a tall mountain peak.
    A meteor takes aim at Jupiter.
  • Panorama of forested landscape dotted by tall volcanic peaks.
    Panorama from Council Bluffs. Three Cascade Range stratovolcanoes are visible (click to enlarge): Mt. Rainier (left), Mt. Adams (center), and Mt. Hood (right). Mt. St. Helens was also visible through the trees to the west.
  • A tall mountain capped with snow and ice is surrounded by dense, dark green forests and a dark blue lake.
    The dense forest on the west flanks of Mt. Adams. Council Lake at bottom.
  • Several five-petaled white flowers with yellow centers and bright green leaves dot the forest floor.
    White avalanche lily (Erythronium montanum), Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington
  • Volcanic cone and wispy clouds reflected in a tranquil mountain lake.
    Mt. Adams reflected in Takhlakh Lake, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington. (Not pictured: immense swarms of mosquito)
  • A nearly full moon rises over a forest of trees
    A nearly full moon rises over the forests of the Cascade Mountains.
  • The setting sun casts a pink glow on low clouds above a rocky pinnacle with a lookout tower.
    Sunset, High Rock, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington
  • Big Dipper over Mt. Adams
  • A nice cap cloud over Mt. Adams
  • Sunrise from our campsite in a lava flow on the north side of Mt. Adams
  • Lyman Glacier at sunrise
  • A muddy stream descending from Mt. Adams
  • Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax), one of my favorite Cascade wildflowers
  • Creek crossing on the Pacific Crest Trail north of Mt. Adams
  • An hour later, the same vantage point provided a glimpse of the crescent moon over Mt. St. Helens
  • Looking west toward Mt. St. Helens at sunset
  • The northwest face of Mt. Adams, dominated by the massive icefall of the Adams Glacier
  • Magenta paintbrush (Castilleja parviflora)
  • The northwest face of Mt. Adams, dominated by the massive icefall of the Adams Glacier
  • Massive blocks of ice in the Adams Glacier near the summit of Mt. Adams
  • The air contained a thin, but noticeable layer of wildfire smoke drifting in from who knows where.
  • Heading up the mountain
  • Barred owl (Strix varia), Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington