With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and of course the beautiful mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches for the sky, this short hike is easily a classic and should be on your must-hike list. Just for reference, this is what the carillon looks like. Key Factors: 1) The best color display happens when the sun falls below the horizon line. Sunrise is the closest area of Mount Rainier to Silver Springs Campground, and other recreation options within proximity include salmon fishing in the White River and trekking on the Crystal Mountain Trail. I just love how reflective the wall is. You may see others during your sunrise trek, but once the 8-9:00 am mark rolls around, especially during the summer, this trail is bustling. Whats In My Backpack: The Ultimate Long-Term Travel Packing List, 30 Useful Gifts to Give Backpackers & Travel Lovers, 12 Outstanding US National Parks to Visit in Spring, Badlands & Beyond: The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip (Map Included), A Travelers Guide to New Mexico: The Best Traditional Eats & Hot Springs, The Unglamorous Reality of Vanlife (All the Dirty Details). See if you find Mount Olympus, the tallest peak in the Olympics using the map. The Kalaloch area of Olympic has several rugged beaches. A one stop shop if you will. Spray Falls and Narada Falls are also some incredible Washington waterfalls to check out in the area. One of the first places youll pass is a lake called Picture Lake. This is Vietnams best kept, I dont really know how to begin to talk about V. My world is a brighter place with you in it. Once youve arrived at Fremont Lookout, sit back and relax until the sun starts to rise. The one-man graphics company Digital.Meals created a video of 30 sunrises in Seattle and Tacoma over 30 days, picking iconic locations such as Gas Works and Kerry parks, as well as more ordinary streetscapes. If you're looking for a great view of a full moon over the city, Kerry Park is the place to be. Its called Snap DC: Your Guide to taking Extraordinary Photos of the National Mall and Beyond and it is available on Amazon. It has really motivated us to get out and explore our home state, Washington! That said, all who make it to the top will be rewarded with unmatched views. You can read more about other amazing Washingon beaches in our complete list here. If you plan on spending the night here, please note that Gothic Basin is an extremely fragile area. But if youre looking to wake up early in the mountains for a sunrise hike, High Rock Lookout offers the most epic view for very little effort. We respect your privacy. Make sure youre standing on top of the hill and youll see this view. Warm layers, a hat, and gloves will keep you warm while youre admiring the view, while a seat pad provides cushion against a cold picnic bench or rigid ground. . What are some natural wonders in Washington? In this short window of time, hikers will rejoice by frolicking along the trail surrounded by fields of wildflowers and soaking in one of the classic views of The Mountain. A peek out to the Pacific Ocean. Google +, Space Needle How Much Does It Actually Cost to Travel the World? The Goat Rocks Wilderness is a beauty, and this less-traveled access point is a great way to explore the area for yourself. The fullloop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn. Ill try my best to answer them. For even more beautiful places in Washington, head down to the base of Ross Lake. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. But if you're in good enough shape to make the journey, the views alone will motivate you to keep going. > Plan your visit to Cape Disappointment using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Southwest Washington Columbia River Gorge - WALength:7.2miles, roundtripElevation Gain:1,300 feetHighest Point:1,350 feetBest Season:Year-round. We value your privacy. We like to visit during sunrise, for some pretty amazing colors and a beautiful reflection on the lake! A ten-mile loop that shows off the lakes, meadows and vistas (not to mention huckleberries) of Indian Heaven Wilderness and Mount Adams with a southern section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Silver Star Mountain is a lot less busy than the other trails on this list, so you may get the chance to enjoy it in solitude. Unsubscribe at anytime. The last push is a sloped rock face to the fire lookout & without proper hiking shoes, this can be a little slippery and tricky. Jutting 5892 feet into the air above the forested slopes of the surrounding hillsides, Sunrise Peak's rocky summit offers enterprising hikers some of the best early morning views of Mount Adams you can get in the state. > Plan your visit to Harry's Mountain using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: South Cascades Mount Adams AreaLength:10.25 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 1,875 feetHighest Point: 5,230 feetBest Season:July - October. The beauty found in Washington state is seemingly endless as are the number of hikes to find gorgeous scenery. With the number of mountains throughout the state, overlooks are found everywhere. Theres no other time of day where you will get President Lincoln looking so warm. If a sunrise hike is a tall order, don't worry. > Plan your visit to Lost Lake Lookout using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location:Southwest Washington Long Beach AreaLength:variesElevation Gain:variesHighest Point:200 feetBest Season:Year-round. Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. The Evergreen State is an outdoor playground filled with natural wonders. 7. Long Beach Peninsula. The worst that will happen is that someone will ask you to put it away. Read more in, Located in Central Washington, you'll find the remains of what was once the largest waterfall known on Earth, which is now 3.5 miles of steep cliff that drops over 400 feet. > Plan your visit to Naches Peak using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Mount Rainier Area NE - Sunrise/White RiverLength:9.0 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:2,500 feetHighest Point:7,828 feetBest Season:Mid-July - October. to my monthly newsletter with insider info, free calendar wallpapers and fun exclusives just for you! If you live in Washington, there are a plethora of hiking trails around to keep you occupied. Visit, In the North Cascades Range is a stunning large wilderness area that you can explore while hiking one of the many trails like the one covered in our, Also known as Washington State Route 20, this is a great scenic route if you're looking for a wondrous view. 5 Best Places to Watch the Sunrise in Seattle Elliott Bay Marina. If you decide to plan a memorable adventure anywhere in the state, here are 15 places with the best views in Washington that you should add to your itinerary: Who would have thought one state could have so much natural beauty?! Flickr / cxlt One such wonder is the Guler Ice Caves in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline, App of the Week: PITFALL! Theres really nothing quite like it within such a short distance of Vancouver and Portland, Oregon. Warm Clothing: Its typically colder in the dark, so pack an extra layer. Windproof Jacket: Peaks and viewpoints tend to be windy. Storm King and visit Marymere Falls on a half-day hike. Once youve made it, relax on one of the rocks at the top, watch as the sun creeps its way over the hills, and admire the peaks in the distance. However, we also think a great time to go is on a Sunday evening -families have already gone home in preparation for the week ahead. Photo by trip reporter Willow's Humans. They make for great foreground elements . (Read this post to pack your road trip essentials! There are plenty of spots along the rocky ridge to set your bag down and relax. My first suggestion is to stand at the Capitol reflecting pool facing east, you can get some great reflections. Its one of the coolest places in Washington state to visit if you love flora and fauna there is an abundance of both here! The trail to Colchuck Lake is long and steep (8-miles out and back with 2,100 feet of elevation gain), but worth every step of the way. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline. , An added bonus is that there are usually beautiful flowers blooming there in the spring, summer and you can even see some still lingering in the fall. So if you are interested in seeing more of Washington DC than just the sunrise, click here to check it out. (with directions!). This sweet and simple hike nonetheless offers gorgeous, stunning views throughout the trail. Timpanogos' 11,752 summit during the . If you are looking for scenic hikes around Washington, you are in luck. Youll follow a path that is fairly uphill for almost the entire hike up to the first ledge, which is typically the most popular to stop at. Its surprisingly quiet! 2. A cloud inversion below Mount St. Helens. Head to, Hike along the Marymere Falls Trail to find this enchanting waterfall near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. From the top, youll have views of Mount Rainier, Sawtooth Ridge, and everything else over the steep drop-off in front of the tower. This incredible park is a popular destination to visit throughout the year, but snowy weather limits access to some areas. The last time I spoke to a Capitol Policeman about it, he said they are allowed. The Eight Best Places to Take Pictures in Washington State. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. If you can angle it just right you, you can even get a shot of the Washington Monument poking through the soldiers legs. The wall and the footpath provide great leading lines. This is pretty awesome. Here are some of the best places to take pictures in Seattle! Long Beach Peninsula, Long Beach. An invaluable resource is the Washington Trails Association, which gives plenty of information on trail statuses, conditions, etc. Seattle, WA 98104. Love Washington? > Plan your visit to Horseshoe Basin using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20Length:4.4 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:1,050 feetHighest Point: 6,254 feetBest Season:July - September. Day hike it or backpack here in late summer or fall, when it really shows off the best of autumn foliage. In order to get here, drive around the loop and park behind the Iwo Jima memorial. Its definitely one of our favorite places to see on the Olympic Peninsula! No! Plan to arrive at your viewpoint at least 15 minutes prior to find a nice viewing spot, set up your blanket or tripod, crack open a thermos of hot tea, and put your layers on. And once you get close, youll be met with a slippery uphill slope with ropes strapped to trees to help you reach the top. Just a short drive west of the quaint German town of Leavenworth is the glacial-fed lake with its iconic island. & for sunrise, you wont find a view better. This blog lives to inspire outdoor adventure, inspired by our home in the rainy Pacific Northwest. Ross Lake, North Cascades National Park. Ive spent years photographing the city and these are my favorite places that I would recommend to anyone who wants to get some killer early morning shots of the city. > Plan your visit to Rialto and Hole-in-the-Wall using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Olympic Peninsula Northern CoastLength:6.25 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 1,254 feetHighest Point: 6,454 feetBest Season: July - August. Distance: 0.4 milesDifficulty: EasyElevation Gain: 10 feetEstimated Time: 10 minutesLocation: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National ForestPass Required: Northwest Forest. 1. For more, visit our, Drive along this scenic byway to see some of the most diverse landscape the state of Washington has to offer. But if you're looking to wake up early in the mountains for a sunrise hike, High Rock Lookout offers the most epic view for very little effort. While this trail makes for an excellent thru-hike, it can also be be easily split into smaller chunks for a day hike or overnight. There are gorgeous national parks like Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, or the North Cascades, and also plenty of state parks or short jaunts into the Snoqualmie region. Distance: 3.4 milesDifficulty: ModerateElevation Gain: 900 feetEstimated Time: 2 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. Either way, youll still be able to capture some beautiful sky images from here. This is a nice, easy trail for the beginning hiker that takes you around a 1.5 mile loop through ancient trees. So of course, I had to add a little cherry blossom image here too . We like to come in the morning or just when the sun sets behind the mountains for that gorgeous PNW golden hour and glassy waters. > Plan your visit to Hoh Rainforest using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Olympic Peninsula PacificCoastLength: 4 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: minimalBest Season: Year-round. Even as locals, we continue to discover more beautiful photo spots in Washington we want to add to this list. The best way to capture this view is to use a long lens (100mm+). The Space Needle. Beaver Falls Flickr / ldeld This charming waterfall can be found along a short 0.2-mile trail within Olympic National Forest. Some of our favorites include the Paradise Area, Nisqually Vista Loop, The Sunrise Area, and the beginning of the trail to summit Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier National Park is hands down one of the best places to photograph in Washington state. Hike an iconic section of the PCT north of Snoqualmie Pass. . Because its not always as glamorous as you think. And the best part is, you can find a hiking trail nearby to suit just about any experience level, ability level, or personal taste. We hiked it on Friday morning and shared the peak with only 10 other hikers for the big show. Photographer Blake Ashworth shot the scenes from. If youre looking to do hiking in higher elevations (in most of the mountain ranges), youll need to wait until it warms up. Source. The Olympic National Park is huge, so weve put together the perfect road trip around the Olympic Peninsula, including all the best stops (like this one below)! Here are five of the best spots for sunrise or sunset in Seattle by photographers Vicky Spring and Tom Kirkendall 1) Seattle Waterfront Photograph: 47.592454,-122.381905 Parking: 47.592494, -122.381852 The east side of the West Seattle peninsula offers outstanding views over Elliott Bay to the downtown Seattle core. Because it's a short, flat, loop, this is our pick for taking out-of-towners who may not hike much. A summer favorite of many PNWers, La Push Second Beach should not be missed. Hiking trails in Olympic expose the beach, rainforest, and high alpine scenery of this wild peninsula, and Mount Rainier hiking trails really test your legs, as do the top-rated hiking trails of . Distance: 4.1 milesDifficulty: HardElevation Gain: 2,100 feetEstimated Time: 4 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. Lodging Nearby: Located in Port Angeles, Olympic Lodge by Ayres has an outdoor pool, and is just an hour from Hurricane Hill. Against a backdrop of blue autumn sky and the magnificent peaks of the Cascades, they are a dazzling sightand, There is something incredibly magical about the, . It seems like there is no right or wrong answer so I would just take your tripod if you want and just be respectful when photographing the grounds. includes old-growth forest, gorgeous wildflowers, and stunning views into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from both sides of the pass below Kendall Peak, where the Katwalk begins. Every single morning were able to witness beautiful, natural light illuminating our world, and its absolutely free. Along the North Cascades Highway, just park the car in the parking lot and get out of your car to have a look at miles of scenery in front of you. Classic, wide, central Washington views. Read More: 9 incredible Washington hot springs to enjoy all year long. Located in the Olympic National Park, this rainforest is covered in green, lush textures that cover everything from the trees to the ground floor. What To Pack on a Sunrise Hike in Washington. Youll have mountain views in all directions, as you can see 5 major peaks from the viewpoint. This city is a heavy, Im obsessed with the Singapore Airport , THE ISLA EXPERIENCE A classic Mount St. Helens hike, leaving from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. There are plenty of nice, easy trails in Washington. There are gorgeous national parks like Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, or the North Cascades, and also plenty of state parks or short jaunts into the Snoqualmie region. A small dirt-covered parking lot marks the beginning of the hike & you can park overnight and camp here. Woodland Park Zoo There are many amazing Washington photography locations around Mount Rainier. If you are heading out on an Olympic Peninsula road trip, Lake Crescent is a likely stop at the beginning of your journey. If you're short on time or are hiking with a family, you may also want to check out the Hall of Moses a short and sweet rainforest loop beginning from the same trailhead. Read More:What To Expect On A Sunrise Hike At Palouse Falls, Like Palouse Falls, its quite the drive from welleverything. (Map under maintenance, it will be up soon! Average Weather: Rainy and cloudy on the west side, sunny and dry on the east side. 3. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and surrounding areas are the perfect photo spots in Washington for geology buffs! Pretty awesome! The 13 Best Scenic Drives In Washington State Picked By Local Experts Eastern Washington Mount Rainier National Park North Cascades National Park olympic national park road trip washington Washington coast Post Summary: The Best Scenic Drives In Washington State, What To See, And How To Get There When the oranges from the sunrise start to fill the sky and spill over the mountains, the entire view gets a magical glow. Image from The Dyrt user John M. A steady stream of headlamps light the way to Mt. From this viewpoint, you can see the Space Needle, much of downtown, and the water. Horseshoe Basin. At night, listen for the coyotes and count stars. Elliott Bay Marina Source Nestled in northeastern downtown Seattle, by the Magnolia Bluff, Elliott Bay Marina gives a whole different feel to the city's shoreline. Dogs & Kids not recommended at the peak. When you get a beautiful sunrise, man, theres nothing better. This historic Stonehenge was inspired by the original one in England and built as a memorial for the soldiers of the local area who fought in WWII. Absolutely free places youll Pass is a popular destination to visit during sunrise, for some amazing! Palouse Falls, its quite the drive from welleverything the area for yourself is an outdoor playground with. Guler Ice Caves in the Olympics using the map wallpapers and fun exclusives just for you hikes! In our complete list here definitely one of the best of autumn foliage in Olympic National ParkPass:! Blossom image here too on top of the hill and youll see this view is to stand at the reflecting... 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