Uploads from glennwilliamspdx, tagged nationalparks, with geodata

Old Growth

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:17 -0700

Sunlight pierces the old growth forest along the trail to Sol Duc Falls. The rich diversity of organic forms here is spectacular. From the ferney, flowery understory to the amazing variety (and size) of trees to the myriad lichens, mosses and other growths. And that's just vegetable matter! Say what you want about the productivity and ecofriendliness of forest farming, you can't make this kind of biological stew without leaving it the hell alone. Olympic National Park, Washington

The top of the road

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:42:49 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

A small lake near the summit of the park road. Lassen Peak's tippy-top from the southeast. The colors of the landscape here are all beiges. In the end, the photo was more dramatic in black and white. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Tahoma

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:38:20 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

Mount Rainier, aka Tahoma, is a composite volcano and one of the most recently active in the lower 48 states. Covered in glaciers, this gorgeous mountain is visible from Seattle and even parts of Portland on clear days. This view is from the drive up to Paradise. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Paradise

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:38:17 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

The view of Mount Rainier from Paradise, a high subalpine meadowland of wildflowers, noisy marmots and tourists. The mountain is an overwhelming presence from here, utterly indominable. From Paradise, trails lead to various views and even to the summit itself. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

The Olympics from Hurricane Ridge

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:00 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

Even on a hazy or cloudy day, an excursion to Hurricane Ridge does not disappoint. The abrupt majesty of the Olympic Mountains, the awesome depths of the river valleys and the abundance of wildflowers and wildlife makes this a truly magical place. I spent whole days here. The Olympics are actually the remnants of an oceanic trench, the boundary between the subducting Juan de Fuca plate and the over-riding North American plate. The oceanic trench got "stuck" between the two plates and have been rising to great heights ever since. They still rise today. Olympic National Park, Washington

Hurricane Ridge Road

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:14 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

The road to Hurricane Ridge rises steadily and, at times, steeply from sea level to 5240 feet in just seventeen miles. It's a spectacular drive when cloudy or clear and one that has incredible vistas and gorgeous geology at every curve. Slow down and enjoy it! And be on the lookout for animals. It's very common for deer, grouse, even bear to be found along the road. Olympic National Park, Washington

Blacktailed Deer on Hurricane Ridge

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:02 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

A couple Blacktail Deer munch their way across the subalpine slopes at Hurricane Ridge. I'm usually not a good wildlife photographer, but the deer here are so ubiquitous, if you keep your finger on the shutter button you're bound to get at least one decent shot. Olympic National Park, Washington

Pillow Basalt

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:24 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

A road cut high on the road to Hurricane Ridge reveals pillow basalt. Pillow basalt is formed when basalt flows into water - in this case, the Pacific Ocean. So how does ocean-made rock formations end up at 3000-4000 feet above sea level? At one point, the subducting Juan de Fuca plate got seriously caught on the overriding North American plate when an ancient trench jammed in between. Instead of subducting, the ancient trench and its attendant marine-formed rocks were lifted up to continental level and shoved into (and over?) the North American plate, essentially adding this exotic terrane to the edge of the continent. The level of rise is equal to the level of erosion, so the Olympics remain a high mountainous environment full of ocean-built rocks. Cool, huh? Olympic National Park, Washington

Avalanche-Lily

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:13 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

The Avalanche-lily (Erythronium montanum) bursts out the moment the high mountain snows begin to melt. High on Hurricane Ridge, early spring sees a flurry of wildfowers, each trying to get as much out of the short growing season as possible. Here the beautiful Avalanche-lily grows wild and sexy in the sun and wind. Olympic National Park, WA

Bunchberry

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:40:43 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

I wasn't surprised to learn that Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), also known as Ground Dogberry or Canadian Bunchberry, is a member of the dogwood family. Growing low and tight to the ground, the plant produces little red berries in the autumn. These are everywhere in the lower montane forests of the park. This beauty was at my campsite in Heart O'the Hills. Olympic National Park, Washington

Lake Crescent

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:09 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

Lake Crescent is a large deep lake in the northern part of Olympic. The valley was carved by huge ice age glaciers sloping off the continental ice sheet in the Juan de Fuca. Beautiful scenes are for the picking all along Highway 101 (as here shown) or in quieter sections of the lake. Olympic National Park, Washington

Trail near the Olympic NP Visitor Center

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:40:52 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

A quiet stroll through the lush forests of Olympic National Park is like a slow soul bath. The sounds and smells of the forest, the light creeping in and escaping, the touch of the moss and lichens - a person could spend a day on the shortest trail and never see all there is to see. Olympic National Park, Washington

Hurricane Ridge

nobody@flickr.com (glennwilliamspdx) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:41:11 -0700

glennwilliamspdx posted a photo:

Hurricane Ridge is actually a long alpine ridge that one can traverse via automobile and then, beyond, on foot. Nestled high above the Elwha and Lillian Rivers, this is a favorite spot for visitors to view the interior of the Olympic Mountains. The wildlife and wildflowers are spectacular, the trails are abundant, the vistas are amazing. The little visitor center provides info and a brief film on the area. Olympic National Park, Washington