Seattle area in Winter

[Lisa Nikodym]

I believe that the high-mountain parts of Olympic (such as Hurricane Ridge and the trails leading out from there) are closed for the winter due to deep snow (I was there in late May or early June once, and Hurricane Ridge was only partly open, with substantial snow on the ground).  The west-coast scenery and the Hoh rain forest areas should be fine in winter.

(Don't know anything about Ranier.)

Lisa

[fokkerdmr]

Another somewhat unique experience for this area is the Bald Eagles along the Skagit River.  The locality is near Rockport, WA, about 100 miles north of Seattle along Highway 20.  Although it's never a sure thing, I usually see between 50-100 eagles along the river, either in trees or on the river banks eating salmon in Dec/Jan. The toughest part about photographing the eagles is the fact that the background is most often flat grey overcast clouds.  If you're fortunate enough to get a clear sunny day, it could be wonderful.  If it's snowed up there, it can make for some beautiful photos.  Because the location is still close to sea level, snow rarely covers 100%, leaving lots of color around streams, etc.

[Khurram]

Hi, I'm going to be going to Seattle for a wedding during the Christmas period, and was thinking of taking a couple of days around Olympic National Park or Mount Ranier.  Are there good photo ops at these parks in the winter?  All the pics i've seen have been spring/summer.  
I'm only going to have an extra 1 1/2 to 2 days, given the limited time, i'd appreciate suggestions for the best locations.

[Image Northwest]

Mt. Rainier is my favorite place in the winter.  If there is fresh snow, rent a pair of snowshoes and head up to Paradise.  At the parking lot, go East, up into an open area with a few stands of alpine fir.  If there is snow on trees, it's a great photographic experience.  

Note:  The road up to Paradise usually does not open unitl 9 AM, so plan accordingly.

I have a few images of this area on my web:

Go to the landscape page and scoll nearly to the end.  They are BW shotsImageNorthwest