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Driving the Mount Baker Scenic Byway to Artist Point
Artist Point lies at the end of the Mount Baker Scenic Byway, near Washington’s border with Canada. A striking viewpoint of epic proportions, it boasts a 360 degree canvas of picture perfection. Artist Point’s craggy snow-clad mountains puncture the horizon in all directions. Looking southward, Mount Baker’s snow-clad cone looms above the forest. To the east, the peaks and valleys of North Cascades National Park disappear into the distance. Northward, Mount Shuksan’s lopsided dome acts as a magnet for photographers and artists. Beneath their elegant winter regalia, these dazzling mountains…
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11 Scenic Waterfalls in Washington State
When I close my eyes and think of Washington State, rainfall is one of the first things that comes to mind. The northwesternmost corner of the continental US is notoriously wet and dreary. For most of the year, a thick grey cloud hovers over the state’s western half. It ejects bucketfuls of water each winter and ensures that there are never too many consecutive days of sunshine. As a Washington resident, I find myself complaining about the rain all the time. I lament that it precludes me from enjoying the…
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Driving the Cathedral Valley Loop in Capitol Reef
Utah’s Cathedral Valley Loop features towering rock spires, soaring monoliths, colorful painted hillsides, and sweeping desert vistas. The spectacular 57.6 mile drive weaves in and out of Capitol Reef National Park and contains some of the American Southwest’s most dramatic features. And yet, despite its beauty, the Cathedral Valley is a place where solitude abounds. Due to poor roads and a lack of travel infrastructure, only a small fraction of Capitol Reef’s visitors bear witness to the area’s unique landforms. Aside from the occasional jeep rumbling down a sandy road,…
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Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
When it comes to red rock landscapes, southern Utah has no shortage of awe-inspiring attractions. The swath of fiery-hued land is so striking that even its lesser-known areas are ripe with places to see. I became fully cognizant of Utah’s far-reaching splendor while road tripping through Capitol Reef National Park—a place tourists often bypass in lieu of the state’s other more renowned landscapes. Capitol Reef is the underdog of Utah’s Mighty 5. In fact, the national park receives so little attention that I wondered if it might even be worth…
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Hiking in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness
Bend Oregon is blessed with an abundance of nearby natural wonders. The town sits on the dry side of the Cascade Mountains, where forests and desert converge. Head west out of town, and you’ll be greeted by shimmering lakes, towering ponderosa forests, and snow-clad peaks. Head east, and the desert unfolds outward, as far as the eye can see. It isn’t difficult to understand why tourists flock to the mountains and lakes west of town. The area is a dreamland for hikers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts. But when crowds inundate…
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Lake Chelan and Stehekin: A Weekend Getaway Guide
Lake Chelan is an elongated body of water that snakes through the hills of Central Washington. It is a scenic wonder, one of the state’s premier outdoor playgrounds, and a magnet for anyone with a penchant for water sports, wine, and relaxation. On summer weekends, it seems that everyone in Seattle descends on the sunny shores of Lake Chelan. And as a result, the lake is a place where ‘the great outdoors’ and ‘getting away from it all’ do not necessarily go hand in hand. Unless, of course, you decide…
