Non UK Tips for USA - North West trip.

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Mark
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Hello

We're off early next month to do this trip:

Seattle
>
Olympic NP
>
Canon Beach
>
Florence
>
Redwood NP
>
Crater Lake NP
>
Portland
>
Mount Rainier NP
>
Seattle

I'm doing some research on photographic locations myself but would be interested to hear from anyone that's done a similar trip or is familiar with the area for additional ideas, no matter how obvious (I'm bound to miss a load!).

Photographic and sight seeing recommendations gratefully received for both NP's and Seattle & Portland.

Thanks in advance

Mark & Sarah
 
Depends what sort of things you are into but some of the bigger ticket ideas in the Seattle area:

The classic Seattle skyline shot is from Kerry Park. Only some taxi drivers know the name so may be easier to say 'West Highland Drive'. Weather needs to be clear to see Mt Ranier in the background.

Pike Place Farmers Market has some vibrant colours and intriguing scenes.

Snoqualmie Falls may be worth a look. The drop is big but it's not that wide. Seems to be best with soft box light but when I was there is was just cloudy and flat. Note - it is a fair trek to the bottom.

Mt Ranier National Park - never had time to do that but worth researching.

Some friends did the Boeing factory tour and liked it but the majority is a no-camera zone.
 
I've not visited the area but have used the Southwest books from the following publisher to plans trips in that area.

http://www.phototripusa.com/

If you click through onto the individual book page, you can view the contents and ratings pages before buying, which will give you a starting point of possible locations.
 
JohnM100 said:
Depends what sort of things you are into but some of the bigger ticket ideas in the Seattle area:

The classic Seattle skyline shot is from Kerry Park. Only some taxi drivers know the name so may be easier to say 'West Highland Drive'. Weather needs to be clear to see Mt Ranier in the background.

Pike Place Farmers Market has some vibrant colours and intriguing scenes.

Snoqualmie Falls may be worth a look. The drop is big but it's not that wide. Seems to be best with soft box light but when I was there is was just cloudy and flat. Note - it is a fair trek to the bottom.

Mt Ranier National Park - never had time to do that but worth researching.

Some friends did the Boeing factory tour and liked it but the majority is a no-camera zone.
Click to expand...


Brilliant John, that was exactly what I was after. The Boeing idea is genius.

Thanks again

Mark
 
sarahhj said:
I've not visited the area but have used the Southwest books from the following publisher to plans trips in that area.

http://www.phototripusa.com/

If you click through onto the individual book page, you can view the contents and ratings pages before buying, which will give you a starting point of possible locations.
Click to expand...


Thank you Sarah. I wasn't aware of these books but the sample chapter looks really informative. Now purchased :)

Cheers

Mark
 
Happy to help.

Also take a look at the city library, especially the 3rd floor.
Lots of angles and colours.
 
JohnM100 said:
Happy to help.

Also take a look at the city library, especially the 3rd floor.
Lots of angles and colours.
Click to expand...


Thanks John. I've just had a quick look at some images of the library. Looks fantastic, right up my street.

Cheers

Mark
 
Some great opportunities for street photography as well as the landscapes. Its a great part of the US... mind the bears in the woods though ;)
 
We are also off to that area in 5 weeks, in Portland consider the Japanese gardens, 30 minutes east of Portland there are many spots along the Columbia river gauge. Moltnomah falls is just one to consider. If you can, try to fit in Shanico, an old ghost town. After Crater lake consider heading directly east to Bandon beach.
Just be aware, and careful, lots of wildfires raging at the moment.
Many many Seascape opportunities heading north from Bandon. Hug beach has great potential if there is enough water coming off the waterfall on to the beach.
A must in Seattle is Pikes market, the "Flying Fish" merchants look promising.
Hope you have as good a time as we hope to.

Ebjoy Mark and Sarah.
 
Pedrod7 said:
We are also off to that area in 5 weeks, in Portland consider the Japanese gardens, 30 minutes east of Portland there are many spots along the Columbia river gauge. Moltnomah falls is just one to consider. If you can, try to fit in Shanico, an old ghost town. After Crater lake consider heading directly east to Bandon beach.
Just be aware, and careful, lots of wildfires raging at the moment.
Many many Seascape opportunities heading north from Bandon. Hug beach has great potential if there is enough water coming off the waterfall on to the beach.
A must in Seattle is Pikes market, the "Flying Fish" merchants look promising.
Hope you have as good a time as we hope to.

Ebjoy Mark and Sarah.
Click to expand...

Some more gems - thanks Pedrod. Only 2 weeks to go so need to piece all of this together sharpish.

Many thanks

M&S
 
I recently heard that wildfires are causing chaos in the northwest, including into Canada with an incredible amount of smoke significantly reducing visibility. Might be worth looking into - hopefully it will have cleared before you go.
 
sarahhj said:
I recently heard that wildfires are causing chaos in the northwest, including into Canada with an incredible amount of smoke significantly reducing visibility. Might be worth looking into - hopefully it will have cleared before you go.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I've done a bit of research and it seems they're waiting for the rain to arrive to put them out! One of the fires is very close to Crater Lake (one of our stop offs) so with any luck it'll rain over the next 10 days and miraculously clear up before we get there.
 
Hey Mark, last I read was North entrance to Crater lake (Where you will probably be arriving from), is close for fire rescue services. Maybe worth a check nearer the time, might have to factor in extra travel time to get there by alternate route (West or South entrance).

http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/current-conditions.htm

Please post back conditions on your return. We go in just over 4 weeks.

By the way, you will have already worked this out, but when I said east from crater lake to Bandon beach, its actually west. Derrr, a case of early morning fingers working before brain was engaged.

Hope you guys have an awesome time.
 
Pedrod7 said:
Hey Mark, last I read was North entrance to Crater lake (Where you will probably be arriving from), is close for fire rescue services. Maybe worth a check nearer the time, might have to factor in extra travel time to get there by alternate route (West or South entrance).

http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/current-conditions.htm

Please post back conditions on your return. We go in just over 4 weeks.

By the way, you will have already worked this out, but when I said east from crater lake to Bandon beach, its actually west. Derrr, a case of early morning fingers working before brain was engaged.

Hope you guys have an awesome time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. We'll keep a close eye on whats happening. If it gets any worse we may have to revise our route.

Once we're there I'll update with our wildfire experiences (wifi permitting) plus a few pics......................assuming we can get near it.


Cheers

Mark
 
@Pedrod7

Hi

Wow, what a beautiful part of the world. You're going to love it.

As far as wildfire issues are concerned, we weren't affected. Crater Lake and the surrounding areas showed the most obvious signs of damage on our route and there were some small pockets of forest still smouldering. The most disruptive part of the Crater Lake area were the various road works along the rim road. It's still an absolute must do despite the delays. The 33 mile long road can be driven non stop in around an hour normally but you'll want at least 2-4 hours if you want to do it comfortably allowing for the road works and all the view points. We stayed there for 2 nights but the weather was so bad we couldn't actually see the lake until the morning we left. The sun came out and we got to see the full beauty of the place. It was a shame we only got to see it for a couple of hours because I'd planned loads of images around that area. We left via the the 62 (sort of SW exit) rather than the north so I couldn't tell you if that route is affected by the fires.

If you're travelling down the right section of the 101 check out Ruby Beach. One of the most photogenic places I've ever been. Loads of sea stacks and massive chunks of drift wood. I could have spent all day there.

Portland was great, such a laid back city. Some great places to eat in the Pearl district and the tram system is easy to use. I'd booked tickets to see Kraftwerk at the Keller Auditorium a few months ago which added an extra level of enjoyment to our visit. They were superb for 4 blokes stood still for 2 hours - albeit aided by a pretty engrossing 3d backdrop. The Japanese Gardens are closed at the moment for remodelling work - bit of a shame as it's a good time of year to visit.

If you'd like any other info let me know.

Enjoy yourself

Mark
 
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Hi Mark, thanks for the info. Just arrived back yesterday ourselves. As you say the place is fabulous. We just happened to be at Crater lake for the supermoon eclypse, the weather was fabulous, couldn't have wished for anything better. Almost to good in some places.
Didn't get to Ruby beach, sounds a great place though. We considered going around Olympic national park but thought time was against us. We worked our was up the Oregon coast from Bandon beach, when we got to Astoria, we went to Mt St Helena ( interesting but not fabulously photogenic), then went to Mt Rainier, an awesome place and lots of photo opportunities.

Like you we saw evidence of wild fires, but didn't actually see any.

Sounds like you had a great time. We are already thinking of a second trip to that area, but........ There are many other places to visit in the world.

Pete.
 
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