Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

A few weeks ago a friend came to visit, and I outfitted us both with backpacking gear (yes, I can fully gear up at least one extra person, if they can fit the same size pack I do) for an overnight hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness (Washington). Our goal: Pratt Lake, about 6 miles in from the Talapus Lake Trailhead. Why? Because sleeping in the mountains is not only the best way to get good light for photos (weather permitting, which it didn't really), but is just good for the soul. We packed light for a fast overnight, which keeps it more fun. I didn't think there would be great photo ops, and decided to take only my cell phone, not the "real" camera (also left the camera because it looked like it could rain on us). I am pleased with how well the photos came out.   We waited to leave home until after the morning commute, so had lunch at the trailhead and started hiking after noon.  Pete Possum, raring for another adventure.  Less than 2 miles of easy climbing took u...

I've been heading to the mountains to hike one day most weeks this spring and summer, and as the snow retreated from the mountains, they got more interesting and I started taking some photos (those winter hikes in the low foothills mostly don't have much of photographic interest to me). I have here a few shots from several hikes I've done in the last six weeks. Sometimes I carried a camera, sometimes just my phone. Granite Lake A fairly well-graded hike of just over 8 miles RT, with a 2300' gain. I did this May 30. We started early, so the light was dim enough on the way in to use a slow shutter speed for some smooth water photos.   Lake Angeles & Hurricane Ridge The next weekend, I headed to the Olympic Peninsula and did the very popular hike to Lake Angeles. Being free to do these hikes on weekdays makes them a lot more enjoyable. This one was just over 7 miles and 2400' of climbing. I never saw such pale banana slugs before.  After hiking to the lake, I felt ...

This it the last post about my trip to Utah back in April. But no fear--summer outings have commenced, so I'm not without photos to share! On the last morning of the trip, I got up extra early and headed out solo. No one else wanted to tackle a hike advertised as nearly 10 miles (it was actually barely 9), and I wanted to go fast and early both to beat the heat and crowds, and to have time to make some mileage toward home afterwards. The start of the trail. I believe I was the 5th or 6th car in the parking lot when I started hiking about sunrise. I hadn't gone far before I met two parties coming back, presumably from a very early hike to the Hickman Natural Bridge (less than a mile each way). After that, I saw no one for a very long time. Just the way I like it. Me for the distant goal, something I never had time or will to do before.   A little further on I reached the Hickman Bridge overlook, and enjoyed seeing the bridge for once with no people around it. Look carefully to s...