Photos from April 2012

By Robert Batt

South end of the beach trail, looking north along the west coast of Whidbey Island.

By Robert Batt

One of the beach access trails goes steeply down. South Whidbey State Park, west side of Whidbey Island.

By Robert Batt

Kayakers going west through Deception Pass, near Fidalgo Island. Deception Pass State Park.

By YoshiSan

With a heavy amount of water flowing over the falls, I had to find a spot where the mist was minimal. It was a great hike to this impressive waterfall.

By WaNative

Spring rain has pushed wildflowers to their peak at Snow Mtn Ranch.

By WaNative

Balsamroot, phlox, sagebrush violet all at their peak this week!

By YoshiSan

A quick two mile hike out to the lighthouse just before sunset.

By Hikingqueen

It was a snowy, rainy, windy day but I finally got here! It was BEAUTIFUL, despite the conditions! Trail was in excellent condition.

By Hikingqueen

Upland Trail was full of purple on this week!

By Hikingqueen

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 2012

By Cricket331

By Bob and Barb

This trillium pair was seen along a creek above a bridge on the Long Ridge Trail to Dodger Point

By Bb Griffith

One of many blossoms seen along Warrior Path

By Jim Cummins

Grass widow wildflowers are plentiful now at Snow Mountain Ranch. There are some unusual colored grass widow flowers like the one in this photo. Sagebrush buttercup, yellow bells, several varieties of desert parsley (lomatium), and sagebrush violet are at their peak.

By Mike Morrison

A Blue Heron hunting for food in The Skagit Wildlife Rereation Area on Fur Island.

By Mike Morrison

A great early season hike to see some spectacular waterfalls.

By Micah Glassey

This was my first hike of the year and what a perfect start to the season. We left Everett at 5:30am to get to the trailhead around 6:30am. I always get to the trailhead as early as possible. You get the most dramatic and beautiful shadows in the early morning sun. I also don't mind the solitude of the early morning. We only saw one other hiker on our way down.

By Jennie Fettermann

With the crazy rain we have had lately, my family and I decided to go check out the "Falls" and see what the voluminous rain had done to our local creek that is normally not much more than a dribble - - what a suprise awaited us! Normally the Ludlow Falls is a 1.25 mile loop (perfect for the family when letting the 2 year old walk it on his own!), however due to the recent heavy rains, part of the trail has washed out, and now you can go in either end of the loop, just not complete the loop. We walked our way in, and our little creek had become a raging class 5 (according to my 9 year old) rapid - - well, we can dream anyway - but it was beautiful to say the least.

By terpene

Morning sun on Mt. Index as hikers approach Lake Serene. The lake nestles at the base of the mountain.

By juliestge

View from the ridge on Rattlesnake Dance Ridge, great view of snow capped mountain range from the dessert canyon

By juliestge

Bridge and river from summit of Rattlesnake Ridge, Mt. Stewart on the horizon

By juliestge

Hiking down the trail

By Alvin Kroon

While hiking Oswald West State Park on the Oregon Coast, just north of Manzanita, at Smugglers Cove I saw this stately tree that has handled Pacific Ocean storms, high winds and lightening strikes. I understand that tree. ;-)

By jawashburn

Spring snow just south of Duncan Creek.