I understand this is INCREDIBLY subjective, but bear with me here! But I've had the pleasure of visiting over half of the national parks (and pretty much most of the top-tier ones), so I wanted to share some of the best places to land photos as you plan out your 2025 travels. My Top Photography Locations for These National ParksMount RainierDege Peak. Probably not what you were expecting, huh? While you sacrifice wildflowers, Dege Peak gives you views of Mount Rainer, Mount Adams, Mount Baker, and Glacier Peak. Basically, you have views of the entire Cascade range to Canada (on a clear day). I recommend a wide-angle lens to capture Rainier and a telephoto to snap the far-away peaks and layers. Top Mt Rainier hikes YosemiteGlacier Point. I could give you a dozen of my "favorites," but Glacier Point is a true gem. With close views of Half Dome, the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada range, and Vernal and Nevada Falls below, you'll have plenty to aim at. Plan a Yosemite roadtrip GlacierMacDonald Lake. I struggled with this one because I want these to be accessible, and making some hike far isn't the idea. But on a calm day, to get the multi-colored rocks with the peaks in the background is a classic shot that will never get old. North CascadesSahale Glacier Camp. Most of North Cascades NP is pretty hard to access and quite remote, making Sahale the best bang for your buck location in the area. You'll want a wide-angle lens and a telephoto to get better shots of glaciers and far-off peaks. Trail Guide OlympicShi Shi Beach. Everyone will talk about the Hoh Rainforest or Hurricane Ridge, so I wanted to be a little more unique. It's a bit of an effort to get out here, but once you do, it's magical. The sea stacks and rock formations are superb, and you get a beach mostly to yourself. Trail Guide SequoiaCongress Trail. The groups of trees, like the Senate and Congress, make for some insane photo opportunities to show a tiny human and the massive trees. A wide-angle lens is needed here. Explore the trail RedwoodsStout Grove. It's an easy, flat trail, but countless photography opportunities exist. I have so many good memories from my 2022 trip here. Channel IslandsPotato Harbor. A little over a 2.5-mile hike from the pier, Potato Harbor is an amazing sunset location high above the ocean below. Trail Guide YellowstoneHayden Valley & Lamar Valley. This is a very open area, but it's my favorite due to the ability to spot wildlife. It's also a really nice area to get morning mist along the river, creating some stunning sights. Aim to be here an hour before sunrise and keep your eyes open for animals. Yellowstone Itinerary Grand TetonSchwabacher Landing. It's iconic for a reason, and we're not rocking the boat with this final one. As you walk down the trail, you'll see a few spots that are pretty nice to set up shop. Bring your standard lens and tripod. Grand Teton&Yellowstone guide New Youtube VideosHere are some videos you may have missed. If you're not subscribing, you're just two clicks away, and it will GREATLY help my journey over there. 22-mile day hike to Canada's hardest-to-reach lake 1 Hour of Meditation Sounds + Southwest Photo Slideshow A 30-mile backpacking trip into the Washington Cascades A 5-day Bear Adventure into Katmai National Park Iceland Drone Video (My most popular video so far) Subscribe to my YouTube channel. How you can help Los AngelesWhat is happening in Los Angeles is utterly tragic and devastating. The city has been consumed by smoke and fire over the past few days, thanks to intense wind and bone-dry conditions. My heart goes out to those who've lost everything, lost family members, and had their lives upended. If you have the financial means to assist, click here for this article by NBC Los Angeles outlining different organizations to donate to. |
Alec is a landscape photographer and outdoors storyteller with a zeal for pushing boundaries in the wild. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and visiting remote places, allowing him to photograph locations the rest of the world shies away from. In addition, Alec loves to write about his travels and craft articles that help educate and inspire others to find their joy in nature.
It's been hectic, but my crazy May travel schedule is finally wrapped up. It was incredible but tiring. I went to Ireland, Yosemite, and Northern Idaho. And if you think I can now rest, ha, I wish. We're moving from Seattle to Denver in less than three weeks and have to figure out everything from moving and packing to handling the rest of life's challenges! But we're excited. Jaimie gets a fresh start at a new hospital, and I get to explore new mountains and trails, and bring you all the...
I returned from eight days in Ireland last weekend and thankfully only had two days of jetlag to overcome. It was an unbelievable experience. We saw castles, coastlines, lakes, and cliffs, and ate and drank our way through the country's southern half. This was my second time across the pond and I fell more in love with the country. It's an easy place to travel to and has fantastic amenities, food, and more. 7 Things To Mention About Ireland 1. The roads couldn't be narrower This isn't an...
Happiest of May to you all. The snow is melting, and backpacking trips are getting closer and closer. I wanted to create a gear guide to help those of you who plan to spend some nights under the stars. This is more or less everythign that I carry and recommend carrying. Usually, my pack weighs around 40-45 pounds which is under the 25% mark of my body weight. That's a good threshold to stay around as going over it can start to wear you down. Feel free to ask me any questions and I'll and my...