Field Workshop

Dates Jun 24–30, 2006
Leader Todd Pierce
Fee $1,995 from Port Angeles, Washington
Deposit $300
Limit 8
Terms and Conditions

Of all the US national parks, the most diversified in character and climate is found in Washington State. Olympic National Park, which encompasses the Olympic Mountains and a great deal of the Olympic Peninsula, incorporates pristine seacoasts and ruggedly beautiful mountain peaks, rain forests and alpine tundra, tide pools and flowering meadows—all with swiftly shifting light and weather patterns. The western side of the park has the wettest climate in the continental United States, soaking under nearly
12 feet of precipitation annually. But amazingly, the northeastern side of the park is the driest part of the Pacific Coast outside of southern California.

Probably more art-calendar photographs of deer browsing in flower-carpeted meadows have been taken in this park than all of our other national parks combined! Olympic marmots, denizens of these same meadows, offer comic relief and excellent photo subjects. At Hurricane Ridge, scenic mountain panoramas are punctuated with stately alpine firs whose tangled roots are home to a marauding band of
tourist-acclimated ground squirrels. Much of the wildlife in this exceptional park is remarkably unwary—including Clark’s nutcrackers, gray and Steller’s jays, and even mountain goats.

The western side of the park is part of the only temperate rain forest in the northern hemisphere and the exuberant growth of the vegetation reflects this feature. The Hoh Rain Forest protection area was established in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after his visit to the tract. Moss-draped bigleaf maples, towering Sitka spruce, hemlocks, Douglas firs and verdant fern hollows remain as FDR would have seen them and will be exciting photo subjects. There is also easy beach access where we will explore some of the rich tidal pools and dramatic sea stacks of the area.

Such diversity is the basis for five full days of photography as we explore a dramatic cross section of habitat of one of Washington State’s finest natural areas. Predictably good weather in June provides an excellent window of opportunity to capture the “flavor of the Northwest” with your camera.



Day 1
Participants fly to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and on to Port Angeles by commuter airline. We meet for an orientation and dinner at our hotel. (D)

Days 2–3
We utilize the next two days by taking advantage of the best light and weather in specific areas of Olympic National Park. Much of our time will be spent at the higher elevations amidst a palette of floral hues punctuated by wind-sculpted mountain hemlock and Alaska cedar. At sunset we turn our lenses northward to watch the falling light dance across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, illuminating Vancouver Island as well as Mt. Baker in the North Cascades. (BLD)

Days 4–5
The allure of old growth forest and tide pool draws us from the highlands to wild ocean beaches and rain forest. Working from a central location, we photograph the easily accessible rain forest and beaches. (BLD)

Day 6
We make our way back to Port Angeles, photographing on the way. Our farewell dinner is this evening. (BLD)

Day 7
Participants may return by commuter airline to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport today for connecting flights.


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