Washington Pass Sunrise

Last weekend I got it in my head that I should try to see the sunrise at Washington Pass. My parents talked about trying this on a past occasion, but bad weather ruined it for them. This weekend was supposed to be unusually hot and clear, so I had a near-guarantee of good weather.

I live relatively close, near the turnoff from the interstate. (I used to live in an apartment right by that exit, but not anymore. That involves a rant I shouldn’t get into here.) Nevertheless, it is still a long drive out to the lookout from the west side. I had to get out at about 3:00AM to get there on time, and wound up leaving a bit earlier. This gave me time to detour to Ladder Creek Falls (just barely off 20 in Newhalem), but the famed trail lights didn’t seem to be running in the red-eye hour I was there.

A little before I got to Rainy Pass, the sky started to gain color. Pitch black was over, and I regretted detouring in that moment since I thought the sun would rise somewhere between the two passes before I got to my destination. It turns out I had plenty of time to spare.

The first set of pictures I took were just me trying to chase what was left of the sky changing color, but others I’ve shown this picture to have told me I actually got a good silhouette unintentionally.

The first glint of sharp light actually made itself known a little south of Liberty Bell…

… And the sun would later…

…Show itself.

I hung around the lookout quite a while after the sun rose, but this should have been the end of my trip. I got a bit more ambition thinking I had more energy than I did, and set my way further east to Winthrop before I nearly collapsed from exhaustion. I took a nap parked in the shade near there, then drove back west the way I came. The nap wasn’t very effective, as I was just plain exhausted and overheated. (I was originally planning on going all the way to Wenatchee then back west over Stevens. I could possibly do something like that if I planned better.)

I did stop at Diablo Overlook and Thunder Knob on the way back, but overcrowding and heat were problems. I didn’t dare approach or even try to take a picture, but Thunder Knob had a bear cub right at the trailhead so the latter stop was all for nought.

I did use the last of my energy to revisit Ladder Creek Falls, and the natural light made the lower bridge over the rapids the highlight moreso than the actual falls.