When I’m out exploring nature on a hike I often find myself at a loss for words, so awe-struck am I at the beauty that surrounds me. To describe the gorgeous views, animals I see along the trails, and I show my photographs to my co-workers, friends, and family and tell them a little bit about what’s shown in the frame. Doing this makes hearing my travel tales so much more interesting to me and them.
These 13 hikes on the West Coast are prime with photo opportunities.
1. Weaver’s Needle on the Peralta Trail in Arizona
The loop from Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle is a perfect day trip. It’s a 4.9 mile hike at an elevation of 2,400 feet.
2. The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah
This can be a dangerous jaunt, so check with local authorities first to find out about weather conditions and water levels. Ideally, this is perfect for an overnight backpacking trip. Keep in mind that the hike can be as long as 16 miles.?
3. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks in New Mexico
These wild-looking rock formations are accessible from a three-mile trail.
4. Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park in California
This four-mile trail is gorgeous in both the summer and fall. Climb to Glacier Point, which towers at 3,200 feet.
5. Dry Creek Falls in Portland, OR
Love the great outdoors? There’s a nature walk that’s 4.4 miles long and gorgeous in any season.
6. Alamere Falls on the Palomarin Trail in California
Don’t miss taking the Point Reyes hike, which leads to a waterfall on the beach.
7. Panorama Ridge Hike in Squamish, British Columbia
This 17.5-mile hike that will take you to a vista of Garibaldi Lake.
8. Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California
Try to spend a little extra time here and camp overnight. There’s a 4.8-mile hiking section to keep you busy the next day!
9. Triangulation Peak and Boca Cave in Oregon
During this four-mile trip, make a stop at the Boca Cave, which has a great view of Mount Jefferson
10. Mount Sneffels in Colorado
There’s a difficult trek from the Yankee Boy Basin to Mount Sniffles, growing to over 11,000 feet in elevation and stretching for six miles.
11. Racehorse Falls in Washington
It’s just a short hike from the trail head in Deming, Washington, to multiple waterfalls.
12. Lake Ann Train in Washington
There’s a gorgeous overlook of Mount Shuksan and an 8.2-mile North Cascades trail.
13. Saddle Mountain in Oregon
This hike is short at just 5.5 miles, but still challenging.
Hiking is a great way to travel, since once you get to your destination, the rest is practically free! I have been on several back country camping trips and have always taken a camera (the first trip I had a point and shoot camera, but I upgraded to a DSLR for future trips.)
My current photography kit includes a bendable tripod which is easy to fit into my backpack and set up while hiking. If taking photographs while you hike or otherwise travel appeals to you, Chase Rubin shares about how to be a photographer when you travel.
Do you like to take photographs while going out and exploring nature?
