Monday in the Alpine flow.

#chairpeak #snowlake #landscape #naturephotography #alpinelakeswilderness #mountainmonday #onehikeaweek

On Saturday, a friend reached out and asked "Planning on doing the Snow Lake trail on Sunday, would you like to join?"

It's... been a hot minute since I hiked regularly, and I'm not as fit as I was then, but this seemed like it might be do-able (just). Also, taking my camera up to a lake in the aptly named Alpine Lakes Wilderness? Natural beauty is a motivator for me, always. I like to say it's my eyes that are taking a hike, and the rest of me is just along for the ride. :P Exercise is thus a happy side effect.

So I said yes, and off we went on Sunday. It was, indeed, just doable for me where I am right now. I definitely feel, today, like I Did a Thing.

And it was worth it, even with the clouds. In fact, I like locations like this just as much in the clouds as I do in sun.  When the clouds are at the right height and you can see them interacting with the mountains. Ridges and trees shrouded in mist? Yes, please. That's something that always says "Pacific Northwest" to me, and is a reason I love living here.

Gear: Nikon Z7 II, Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S

Cross-posted from my blog, where there are additional photos: https://andrewflenniken.com/2024/09/16/september-16th-2024-snow-lake/

#Photography #NaturePhotography #AlpineLakesWilderness #SnowLake #CascadeMountains #Nikon #NikonCreators #NikonZ7II

Granite Mountain by Low Mountain overlooks Denny Creek in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
https://onehikeaweek.com/2024/01/01/granite-mountain-by-low-mountain/

#hiking #snowshoe #centralcascades #granitemountain #snoqualmiepass #alpinelakeswilderness #cascades #pnw #newyear

I avoid Alpine Lakes Wilderness this time of the year unless it's deep in the backcountry. But even with a "late" 7:30 start, another hiker and we were the only ones on the trail to Hope Lake. Note to self: start no later than 7 AM next time!

https://onehikeaweek.com/2023/07/16/the-hydrant/

#thehydrant
#tunnelcreek
#pacificcresttrail
#hopelake
#alpinelakeswilderness

189. Witches Tower and part of Dragontail in the Enchantments, finished and WIP.

#theenchantments #witchestower #dragontail #hikerart #art #mountains #pnwwonderland #alpinelakeswilderness #washingtonstate #illustration #watercolor #drawing

187, 188. Shield Lake & Earle Lake from Prusik pass, Prusik Peak from Gnome Tarn. I find it very hard to change gears from hiking to drawing, and it's something I will continue to work on, but if anyone has any tips, I'd be happy to hear them. In this case I was able to manage a few quick sketches.

#Theenchantments #prusik #prusikpeak #shieldlake #earlelake #hiking #washingtonstate #alpinelakes #alpinelakeswilderness #sketch #sketches #pencilsketch #art