Oct 2020 - Lake Ingalls

Happy Hiker Trailhead Photo

Let's go hiking!

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Tree Shadow Speaking

I had been watching very closely as we left the parking lot and starting hiking the dark shadows being cast on Esmeralda Peak. I was struck by the great contrast. When I saw the outline of this old tree shadow, I knew I had a great shot if I could position the shadow against the brightly lit Esmeralda Peak. I had to climb a bit off trail but I found the perfect alignment I had envisioned. Viola!

To this old tree is speaking to me of its past in the shadow it casts today.

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Early Morning Start

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Lichen and the Moon

Early on during the hike we could see that the moon was going to be setting over the next hour and as we climbed higher it worked out that there was some very interesting image compositions to be had if you worked to find them.

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Moon setting

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Moon and the Ridge

The moon was setting and I could see that the far ridge was going to be the horizon where it would pass. I used my Nikon P600 Superzoom camera to pull in the horizon against the setting moon.

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Mt Rainier

As you climb up higher and higher there is a nice point on the trail to Ingalls Pass where you get a good view of Mt Rainier.

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The Ancient Ones and the Moon

These trees looked so gnarly and cool and I knew I had a opportunity to frame them together with setting moon. The "sister moon" and "brother trees' are singing out nature's praise!

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Mt Stuart and the Larch

Mt Stuart is a massively broad and tall mountain at 9416 ft.
"Without a rival as the crown peak in the central Cascades of Washington, Mount Stuart has been pronounced the single greatest mass of exposed granite in the United States..."

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Fall Is Here

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Larch Tree "Peeping"

Larch trees abound once you climb up to Ingalls Pass and get your first views of Mt Stuart.

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Larch Lighting

I love to find the contrasting colors of the Larch trees with the shadows on the rock faces. Since the Larch trees grow in and around all the rock it provides a great opportunity to capture the Larch tree back lighted and the dark shadows around it.

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More Larch Lighting

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Larch and Boulder Landscape

The Larch trees and the rocky and boulder landscape.

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Rocky Face

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Line and Texture

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Nature's Art

I almost walked by this but the lighting caught my eye and I loved the way the Manzanita Bush hugged the rock.

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Larch Trees Climbing

I noticed the Larch trees being lighted up on a faraway steep ridge and was able to zoom in to capture this contrasting color, texture and step landscape they grow on.

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Headlight Basin

After reaching the top of Ingalls Pass there is a direct option one can take to Lake Ingalls through Headlight Basin. Not many take this route to the lake because you drop down quite a bit of elevation (which you just worked hard to achieve) only to have to gain it all back to get to the Lake.

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Fall Colors amid the Rocks

As I was climbing back up to meet the main trail from taking the alternate trail to Headlight Basin, I looked up and my eyes were drawn to the beauty of the fall colors beneath this rocky peak. Notice the two hikers that are on the main trail leading to the lake.

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The Larch Needles

One does not expect it but the Larch tree needles turn this beautiful orange and then drop there needles in the fall and grow new ones back in the Spring. They are also very soft to the touch.

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Larch Madness

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Fall Larch Colors

Oh, the beauty of the Larch tree never disappoint.

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Larch Grove

Large grove of Larches.

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Larch Tree

The Larch is a uniquely beautiful tree.

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Stuart and the Larch Trees Alive

Exploring Headlight Basin I found this lovely little spot near Headlight Creek with the fall colors and the Larch trees with Mt Stuart in background. Perfect!

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Ingalls Lake

By the time I got to Ingalls Lake my legs were like rubber. I had lost track of my fellow "Happy Hikers" who had taken the other primary route to the lake. I had a very quick bite to eat and was off.

This lake is a real crown jewel.

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Larch Grove

Oh, the Larches were glowing as I back my early afternoon return to Ingalls pass. Lost the trail back several times in the confusing boulder trails.

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Ingalls Creek Afternoon

Just about all the way back to the cars and I noticed off trail this lovely little fall scene of Ingalls Creek. Just had to make a quick last minute stop to enjoy and capture the beauty of it.

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Pure Rock

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