Return to Middle Fork Snoqualmie

After a long closure due to a large landslide, the Middle Fork Trail, which follows the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, is now fully open again! It's an easily accessible and not-too-difficult trail that has a few good river views, lush forests, and views of interesting cliffs, so I was happy to be back on Saturday.

First, Garfield Mountain (I think) over the confluence of the Taylor and Middle Fork Snoqualmie rivers, near the trailhead. I tried this shot a few times, and the lighting improved after I took the shot below, with some sunlight hitting the mist in an interesting way. Unfortunately, by that time, water dripping from the boulders overhead had gotten on the lens, something I only discovered upon reviewing the images on a computer screen. Good thing I kept the earlier attempts! F/16, 1/6 of a second.

Next, a small stream along the trail. I tried a vertical version of this picture, thinking it might emphasize the large tree at upper left a bit more. It didn't make much of a difference, however, and I think the rocks on either side of the stream help balance the composition. F/16, 1.3 seconds.

Finally, a couple forest shots. For the most part, the forest along the trail is second-growth, with a sprinkling of older trees throughout. It's very mossy and lush, however, and there is still some diversity, with alder and maple groves alternating with darker coniferous forests. Below, a bit of remaining fall color under a grove of mossy trees, mostly alder. F/16.

Next, mossy conifer branches frame a view out to an alder grove. F/14.

High Water at Greenwater

Greenwater? More like Brownwater, am I right? On Saturday morning, during a brief window of calm weather, I hiked the Greenwater trail, hoping to catch the last gasp of fall colors. (I'd hoped to visit a few weeks ago to catch the trail's abundant vine maples at their peak, but weather and logistics conspired against it. Perhaps next year.) I didn't find much in the way of fall color left, but it's still a nice hike regardless. The day's unique feature was the Greenwater River itself - waters were high and a muddy brown color due to the preceding days' heavy rains.

First, an image of the river highlighting the aforementioned brown color, with a little patch of the remaining fall color as a bonus. F/14, 2.5 seconds.

Next, a series of images from another vantage point along the Greenwater River. I think I prefer the first, but they all emphasize different features and colors, so I haven't reached a conclusive opinion on which one I like the best. The first two I took at F/18, 2 seconds, and the third at F/16, 1.6 seconds.

Beyond the river scenery, I love the colorful old-growth trees of the Greenwater trail. Forest compositions are tricky in general, because they can be very busy. The Greenwater trail adds the challenge of bing relatively dark, due to shade from the trees and the sometimes steep and narrow valley walls. I'm happy with the one below, however. F/14, 20 seconds. (20 seconds! See what I mean about the darkness?)

Finally, the lower Greenwater Lake with a bit of fall color. This isn't a great composition - the foreground branches make it a bit too busy, but this was the best vantage point I could find that included the yellow leaves in the background. On the other hand, the muddy color of the water comes through very clearly. F/18.

That's all for now! It's back to wind and rain outside, so I'll be staying indoors for a bit. But the long-term forecasts I'm seeing suggest lighter precipitation in the future, with much lower snow levels. Hmm...