A Kaleidoscope of Red, Yellow and Orange
By Eric Zamora, Photographer
When I got there I didn’t want to leave. When I left, I wanted to go back.
It was the perfect time of year. No mosquitoes or black flies. Temps were in the 30s at night, 60s during the day. And, despite being late September, almost everything, even the high peaks stabbing skyward, were nearly snow free. A kaleidoscope of red, yellow and orange radiated forth. Evergreens interrupted the leafy fire.
In a shallow dry creek, two bear tracks were etched in the mud. Nearby, a circular depression comforted a small pool of water. Bear tracks surrounded it. That evening I spotted a bear near camp. The next day I spotted two more.
One of the quintessential places of North Cascades National Park, the Park Creek shelf is a true example of wilderness splendor. From the nearest trailhead it requires at least one night’s stay to get there and get out again. From anywhere else, two or more nights days are needed. During autumn, the high altitude shelf is nothing short of spectacular.
It was during the height of fall color in 2009 that I passed over the shelf and through Park Creek Pass during a 114 mile, two-week solo trek of North Cascades National Park. The shelf on the south side of the pass, the headwaters of Park Creek, was one of many places I experienced that would leave a lasting impression. From Cascade Pass to Hannegan Pass, I documented my entire trek in words, photographs, video and audio. Now I have a 26-minute short film to share with the world my North Cascades story. Click here to view the movie. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.
Visit Eric's website to see his photo gallery and learn about conservation issues around the country.
