Dean Hebert Photography

 As usual I was trying to time my hike to be near the peak by sunset. It was a cloudy day and I didn't hold out too much hope that I'd get any good photos but you know what they say, " Any day in the mountains is a good day! "  With the road to the trail head snowwed in there's a couple of extra kilometers to hike.

 Almost half of 2016's best photos are from a trip around the Three Sisters. The other photos are from Skyline Divide and the Coquihalla Summit Rec. Area.

September 5-10, 2016

 As the season progressed, I looked forward to a multi-day camping trip in the rockies but the weather forecast looked dismal for the days I'd booked off. I searched south and found a decent forecast in Oregon, so Dan and I decided to hike the almost 50 mile loop around the Three Sisters.

 On the day we were to leave, Dan informed me that didn't have all his gear ready, so we put off leaving until the next day. That meant we'd have to mak...

 With a forecast of clearing skies I decided to attempt another hike in the Mount Baker Wilderness.

 I've got to say I'm not a big fan of the access road; one lane, blind corners, and potholes. Thankfully it was Monday and traffic was light.

 It was late afternoon when I hit the trail and began climbing up the modest grade through a nice forest. This late in the season I had to stop and photography every flower I could find!

 I'm always looking for new hikes near my home in Chilliwack and after seeing some photos of the Mount Baker area I decided I needed to go and explore.

 The Lake Anne hike starts in the wrong direction, descending into a green valley. I wasn't happy going down the switch backs knowing I'd have to climb them on the way back.

 Early views hinted at the scenery to come.

 After several attempts to reach beyond the lower Pierce Lake I was finally able to summit Mount MacFarlane.

 The hike to Pierce Lake is a long, steep, slog, mostly through ugly forest. The exception is a stand of old-growth forest before the crossing of Pierce Creek. Unfortunately this is only a few minutes in a 3 hour climb of 1000 meters.

 After an age of drudgery I came abreast of the lake and a short drop brought me down to the shore. It's a pretty lake but I d...

 A great day for photography was marred by high winds and a blur on my wide angle lens.

 I'm always a little nervous when I hike by myself and the dense young growth at the beginning of the trail had me calling out to warn off any ursus that might be in the area.

 After crossing the stream I stopped in the clearing and tried a few shots.

 McGuire Ridge is one of my favorite photography locations. Unfortunately, the road is deteriorating. Loose rock and trees encroaching on the road are beginning to make this a "bush beater" special.

 I'm always looking for veratrum viride and whenever I see it I have to stop and try to get a good shot. The lines and shapes lend themselves to black and white treatments.

 I haven't been getting out much so Zoa seemed like a good way to stretch my legs, without killing myself!

 There was still snow half way to the parking lot so I found a good spot and geared up. The snow was firm so there was no need for snowshoes and once at the trail head the snow was gone. I ended up carrying my snowshoes the whole way. The hardest part of this hike is the first hill but I stopped often to take photos. There were storm c...

 A trip to the American Southwest during easter has become an annual tradition for my wife and I. I try to make it all about photography but she's not so interested in that. For her, it's a quick get-a-way to a warm destination. This year's trip had too much driving and Serea and Shawn were burnt out quickly and less than willing to wait for sunsets.

 Even so, I was able to spend several hours in Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley.

 Now, if you'r...