Perfection Lake Panorama

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There are quite a few larch variants throughout the world, but in the Pacific Northwest there is a unique species. These larches are very hardy trees, growing in environments that are too harsh for most other trees. They grow in high mountain environments where there is very little soil and the growing season is short. These pioneers are able to take root seemingly on top of solid rock, taking advantage of small patches of soil to take root in, growing into gnarled shapes due to the high winds. What makes the larches of the Pacific Northwest unique is that to protect themselves from heavy snow, they shed their needles in fall. Before they shed them, the needles change color, lighting up the mountainsides in golden hues, a particularly magical sight during magic hour, enhanced by their barren and rocky environment with teal colored lakes, creeks, and tarns around them. There are only 32 passes available daily for camping in the core Enchantments, so few people are able to be among the larches during magic hour, because the two hiking routes into the Enchantments are challenging. One is via Snow Lakes, a long 10-mile gaining 4000 feet, with the last 1500 being in the last mile and half. The other is the shorter Colchuck route, which also gains 4000 feet, but in only six miles, and the final 2200 feet is straight up the escarpment in the headwall of the Colchuck Lake cirque. Many people end up camping at Snow Lakes or Colchuck and hiking into the Enchantments from there each day. Some through hike the route in a single day, and many hike from the trailhead to Asgard Pass only to hike back out the same day. Since I was fortunate enough to be able to camp there, I took the side trip up to Prusik Pass and while there, found this view from the pass, and waited for the golden hour light to capture this image.

This edition is printed on metal and ready to hang.