While I highly encourage getting out there and working for your images by hiking, sometimes, it's easier to just pull into a parking lot with a great view and snap some photos. Now, not every state has stunning views that are as accessible as Washington, but we are blessed with many! So I decided to list my top five favorite drive up spots in our beautiful state!
In no particular order, the spots are:
1. Artist Point
2. Washington Pass
3. Lake Wenatchee
4. Hurricane Ridge
5. Takhlakh Lake
Artist Point
Three hours from Seattle, Artist Point just may be my favorite spot in the whole of the Pacific Northwest. You're absolutely surrounded by mountains at the top, the most notable being an up-close and personal view of Mt. Shuksan and, of course, the famous Mt. Baker. The amount of day trips I've taken here since moving here in late 2018 is too many to count. Another reason to love Artist Point is that because the lower part of the area (named Picture Lake) is open year round, due to the ski area there. Picture Lake freezes over in the winter, which provides an opportunity for some low-effort winter shots! The sunsets and sunrises are one of a kind; because of this, Artist Point is renowned for being "magical." And for those of you who like astrophotography, once the sun goes down, it gets DARK. There's no light pollution, so the Milky Way is very prevalent during the right time of year. Overall, whether you're going to camp in the wilderness or just taking a day trip into the mountains, you're almost guaranteed to come away from Artist Point with at least one memorable shot.
Washington Pass
Washington Pass overlook is one of the most scenic views in the entire state. The drive there takes you down the scenic Highway 20, which goes straight through the heart of North Cascades National Park, and takes about 3 1/2 hours, if you're driving from the Seattle area. And while on the subject of the drive, there are plenty places to stop along the way, my favorite being Diablo Lake Overlook. Once you arrive at the parking lot of Washington Pass, you'll have a short walk down a paved pathway through some trees before you're met with a magnificent view of Liberty Bell Mountain. Looking over the rail, you'll see the curving path of Highway 20, as it meanders down the hill. This acts as a beautiful leading line towards the jagged peaks of Liberty Bell. Washington Pass is also one of the absolute darkest parts of Washington, as far as light pollution goes. So if you're trying to take some photos of the stars, grab a chair, a thermos of hot coffee, and a jacket to keep you warm as you shoot the Milky Way dancing above the peaks of the Cascades.
Lake Wenatchee
For some reason, this spot isn't quite as popular as others in the state, but I suppose that's a plus because you won't have to share it with as many other people! Lake Wenatchee is also a lot closer than the previous two locations mentioned, just about two hours from Seattle! State Highway 2 will take you straight there. Along with the lakeshore, there are also other things to do around the area, such as checking out the road along the southern shore (Ceder Brae Rd), which brings you to Glacier View Campground. This is where the photo with the yellow leaf in the foreground was taken in the gallery above. This spot also offers a distant view through the valley of Glacier Peak, a rare view! If you're into exploring, the amount of forest roads in this area is too many to count! My personal favorite one is NF-6700. You could spend all day in the Lake Wenatchee area; and if you have time for some dinner, traveling up Hwy 2 for just another half hour will lead you to Leavenworth, which will definitely satisfy your cravings! You'll be driving home satisfied with your photographs and your adventure.
Hurricane Ridge
Olympic National Park is potentially the most diverse national park in the entire country. There's everything from rocky beaches, to lush, mossy rain forests, to alpine meadows surrounded by jagged, snow-capped peaks. You could spend an entire week in Olympic, but I'm just here to tell you about Hurricane Ridge. From Seattle, it will take about 3 hours if you take the ferry to Bainbridge Island, or the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston. Alternatively, if you'd prefer not to take a ferry, you could take the long way around the southern end of Lake Washington, which would take you through Tacoma and Gig Harbor, although it's about 40-50 extra miles of driving. If you leave in the morning, you'll be arriving in Port Angeles near lunch time, and there are a ton of options there for food. After fueling up, you can start heading up Hurricane Ridge Road. There are pull-offs along the way, but it's a beautiful drive. Once you're at the top, there are 360 degree views of the Olympic Mountains. You can leisurely stroll along the ridge and take in the views, or if you're feeling more active, you can hike the trail for Hurricane Hill, which is 3.1mi round trip, with 797ft. of elevation gain. Whatever you decide to do, you definitely will not be disappointed with your trip to Hurricane Ridge.
Takhlakh Lake
For this spot, you've gotta be willing to get your ride a little dirty, because Takhlakh Lake is pretty far down some dirt/gravel roads. From Seattle, it takes about 3 1/2 hours to drive to this location, but believe me, it's worth it. The drive is absolutely stunning and when you arrive at this secluded lake, you'll be faced with Mt. Adams so close, that you'll be able to see almost every detail on its northwest face. There are trails all around the lake, especially near the campground area. Since there are no major roads nearby, this spot is so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. I'm not sure about you guys, but one of my favorite things to do when I'm in nature is to just quietly sit and listen to the stillness; that absence of noise just soothes my soul...and Takhlakh Lake is the perfect place for it.
For those of you that made it this far, I hope you've enjoyed my recommendations! I truly love sharing my knowledge of everything photography with those who are willing to listen and learn. I definitely plan to do more educational posts in the future and I'm very excited for it! Until then, stay safe and enjoy your adventures.
Jordan
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