Exploring Along the Mount Baker Scenic Byway (2): Picture Lake

Mount Shuksan mirrored in Picture Lake

This little lake, appropriately called Picture Lake, is right along the Mount Baker Scenic Byway near the Mount Baker Ski Area.  When I arrived here, I knew the trip was worth it without even getting to the end of the road.  Just look at this classic mountain scene!  I learned that this particular image — Mount Shuksan reflected in the still waters of Picture Lake — is one of the most photographed in all of North America.  You may even have seen it on a calendar somewhere.

There is an easy 1/2-mile trail around the lake, and I enjoyed every step.  The air was fresh and crystal clear.  The fall colors — especially the stained-glass window colors of the low huckleberry  (or possibly blueberry) bushes and the brilliant red clusters of berries on the mountain ash — gave this peaceful spot an unmatched resplendence.

Fall colors on the shores of Picture Lake

Jewel-like colors reflected in the lake

Clusters of red berries on mountain ash

Picture Lake with ski lift on distant mountain

Fireweed

Fireweed and tansy (?) along the road

The low huckleberry bushes glowed like stained glass.

Reeds in the lake — water calligraphy

Dead tree in the meadow by Picture Lake

Another view of Mount Shuksan from across Picture Lake

Fall leaves at Picture Lake

Wildflowers Near Mount Rainier

Beargrass in the meadow by Tipsoo Lake near Chinook Pass

The wildflowers are definitely one of the highlights of hiking the Naches Peak Loop Trail near Chinook Pass on Hwy 410.  They peak in late summer, so this is still a great time to go and see them.  Here are some photos of the wildflowers I saw along the trail:

Beargrass

Paintbrush

I believe this is rosy spirea.

And I believe this shrub is mountain ash.

Mountain ash with Mount Rainier

The colorful red berries of mountain ash

Meadows with Queen Anne’s Lace and lupine, among other wildflowers

Lupine

Foliage of lupine

I am not sure what this is — perhaps yellow dot saxifrage or slender mountain sandwort? Does anyone know?

It looks like this shrub is growing matchsticks!

Possibly Cascade penstemon?

Pen and ink sketches of wildflowers from my Moleskin journal

Watercolor sketch of magenta paintbrush

Another watercolor sketch of paintbrush