The Palouse

[Peter McLennan]

It's a unique and beautiful landscape any time of the year.

Its look depends mainly on agriculture, wheat specifically, since that's what's mainly grown there.  In spring, following germination, it's a wonderful, uniform carpet of green.  As the crops ripen, the colours differentiate and close to harvest time (August, I believe) you get golds with your greens.  

Weather is, as always a big factor.  Mid-summer weather tends to be pretty stable - high pressure and blue skies. Springtime is more variable.  

Any way you choose, it's a crapshoot, but it's a great location.  I suggest finding the high rez maps (MapPoint is good) and explore the smallest roads.  There are hundreds.  You could spend weeks there.

Good shooting!

Peter

[dbarthel]

Being a former Washingtonian, I also second spring as a first choice. The Palouse is very different from western Washington, so don't worry too much about overcast and drizzle like spring west of the Cascades.

[SteveS]

Anyone have any feedback regarding the best time to visit The Palouse in Washington?  I know each season will yield very different experiences but which season should I choose for my first visit?

Thanks!

Steve

[larryg]

Hey I was there last summer (end of July)

Over 1,000 miles driven in three days  around backroads/dirtroads.

Tough work, although I did get a couple of nice images.

Do a web search for Palouse to get images and information on the site.


I personally think spring would be a better choice. And if the weather is variable, more the better.  You might get some dramatic clouds and lighting along with it.

Good luck

[sean]

I currently live in the Palouse and I must say anytime of year is excellent.  I have some recent shots posted here and here.

Right now there is still some snow and things are starting to turn green and bloom.  I would recommend trying to get out here toward the end of March into April sometime.

Sean

[iporty]

Do you have any recommendations as to where in Palouse to start. I live in western Washington and would like to visit the Palouse, but it's a big area to drive around.

[Peter McLennan]

If you need a motel (as opposed to camping), I'd base out of Pullman.  It's large enough to offer plenty of choice in accommodations and restaurants.  In three days, you could cover much of the area bounded by Colfax, Lewiston, Walla Walla and Washtucna.  As always, weather is the driver.  You want to be there, on location at the end of a weather disturbance.

[iporty]

Thanks for the advice.

[riwong]

Steptoe Butte State Park  is the spot where you can get a 360 degree view of the Palouse.  If you want to be there at first light or stay till last light the nearest town is Colfax
http://riwong.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Palouse/18655802_2rswQx#!i=1444041873&k=bN5CNM2
http://www.stateparks.com/steptoe_butte_state_park_in_washington.html

[bobtowery]

I have been in June and in August. June is when you'll get that "classic Palouse" look. I.e. lush greens and bright yellows. It's sunny and warm.  I personally won't go again in August. If you could time it right when they are harvesting, it could be good, but it's hard to time.

The best western in Colfax is a very nice place (relatively new), centrally located, popular with photographers.

I agree with the other recommendations to just drive around on small roads and find your way. Note many of these are gravel.

Also keep in mind that at this latitude, days begin early and end late. Like sunrise before 5 am and sunset at nearly 10 pm.

(Shameless plug) Here are few links to my blog with Palouse images if you are interested:

http://bobtowery.typepad.com/bob_towery/2010/06/palouse-week-day-one.html - First of a seven image series from my June trip.

http://bobtowery.typepad.com/bob_towery/2011/08/palouse-twister.html - one image, from the August trip.

http://bobtowery.typepad.com/bob_towery/2011/04/palouse-pano.html - even the dirt is beautiful there!

http://bobtowery.typepad.com/bob_towery/2011/08/palouse-sunset.html - Farm building at sunset

And lastly:

http://bobtowery.typepad.com/bob_towery/2011/09/channeling-michael.html - a shot that reminded me of the front page images by Michael right here at LuLa.

It is a wonderful place to shoot! Best of luck. Bob.

[johnbeardy]

"http://bobtowery.typepad.com/bob_towery/2011/04/palouse-pano.html - even the dirt is beautiful there!"

I particularly like this shot, Bob.

John

[framah]

Go to Google  Earth and do a search for The Palouse and then zoom in. The colors and shapes are amazing even from above!!

I HAVE to get out there sometime!!

[dyfedavalon]

Hey

I am fairly new to the forums (about a week), and was excited to see that someone had posted about the Palouse.

I live in Pullman, and the drive from here to Spokane (North), Lewiston/Clarkston and East toward the tri-cities has the most beautiful scenery - an embarrassment of riches, you could say.

A previous post mentioned Steptoe Butte - there is also Palouse Falls, the rolling (blanket) hills above Lewiston/Clarkston overlooking the river.....  Also, on the way to Lewiston/Clarkston from Pullman you'll pass through Uniontown - worth checking out Dahmen Barn - local photography and art. http://www.artisanbarn.org/
I've attached a shot I took - it was extremely windy that day, hard to get out of the car nevermind hold a camera!

Dyfed Avalon

dyfedavalon@hotmail.com