'Alpenglow - First light in the North Cascades of Washington' -- I've put together a little photo essay, 12 photos from 4 sunrises (plus 1 video)

Submitted by Nixx_Mazda t3_11iza07 in Washington

https://imgur.com/gallery/BrrQr79

21 second video of steam/snow rising from Colonial Peak

Does this work? My favorite one

Over the last few years I've taken some morning road trips to get sunrise photos. I like getting there early and doing some astrophotography while waiting for sunrise. On a clear day the sun will hit some mountain peaks much earlier than others.

I really enjoy those moments of sunrise when the light is first hitting the mountains. It makes me stop and go 'wow look at that, I am so lucky to be here'. I like to look around and take it all in.

I think I got all the mountain names correct, but I have a couple questions.

  • The Colonial Peak area is kind of tough. I think the sun is mostly hitting an unnamed mountain behind Colonial Peak.
  • Does that ridge at Washington Pass that's connected to Early Winter Spires and Liberty Bell Mountain not have a name? (last picture)
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Comments

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gca4 t1_jb1cop3 wrote

This is so cool

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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_jb2guq3 wrote

Thanks, I thought so.

I almost left out the Mt. Baker and non-winter shots.

I also have some from the Stevens Pass area, Mt. Rainier, and St. Helens areas...but these North Cascades ones are more unique. Easy to catch sunrise on Rainier...

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wpnw t1_jb3mnxu wrote

>The Colonial Peak area is kind of tough. I think the sun is mostly hitting an unnamed mountain behind Colonial Peak.

There's nothing major blocking light from hitting Colonial per se, it's just the orientation of the sun at this time of year. When you're looking at Colonial from the Diablo overlook area, you're looking at the northwest face of the peak. The morning sun hits the southeast face in the winter, so literally the exact opposite side of the mountain. You'll start to see more direct sunlight on that face by April, and it's far more interesting by mid May. Snowfield Peak is the larger one behind Colonial, but it's located southwest of Colonial so it won't block anything at sunrise at all.

> Does that ridge at Washington Pass that's connected to Early Winter Spires and Liberty Bell Mountain not have a name? (last picture)

The high point on that ridge is known as Pica Peak, and the summit immediately south of Early Winters Spires is Blue Lake Peak, but the ridge itself has no formal name. The high summit on the far left in your picture though is Copper Point.

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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_jb5occc wrote

Good info, thanks.

A bunch of other ridges near Washington Pass have names, I wonder why that one doesn't. I guess I don't know the definition of 'ridge', when it comes to maps.

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wpnw t1_jb64ydg wrote

It's less about what the definition of "ridge" is, and more about the whims of cartographers and those charged with formally registering geographic place names. You can only fit so much on a map before it gets cramped and unreadable, and in this case it's just not a very prominent feature either (despite looking so from certain angles), so it was likely just not deemed significant enough to bother naming.

A lot of place names originate from outdoor recreation communities as well, and summits are often named by climbers. That this ridge isn't recognized by name (other than the specific high points I mentioned previously) within the climbing community is kind of a testament to its relative insignificance.

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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_jb6q613 wrote

Makes sense, kind of. ;)

I say photographers rise up and name some things! This ridge is not 'relatively insignificant' to me! ;)

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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_jb70keb wrote

I'll just call it the Washington Pass ridge.

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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_jb2pagm wrote

Anyone know about Washington Pass? I thought that ridge had a name, and it seems like it should, but I can't find one.

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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_jb3cq7d wrote

Hmm maybe I should have done the post as an image and put the text in reply.

/shrug

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