When settlers first came to the Pacific Northwest, they brought their ideas of civilization and transformed the landscape.
They cut down old-growth forests to make room for farms. Business interests clear-cut giant trees to fuel the westward expansion. All for short-term business profits and little regard for future generations.
The Washington State Park system offers glimpses into the forests of the past. Such a state park is the scene of this week’s photograph.
Lewis and Clark State Park is near the junction of US Highway 12 and Interstate 5, along the historic north spur of the Oregon Trail.
The state park preserves a rare stand of old-growth trees containing miles of trails amidst lush ferns, gnarled snags, nurse logs, and cathedral-like thickets of giant trees.
Developed during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, the park has examples of the CCC’s characteristic architecture throughout the park.
On an evening hike through the park, I found this scene of old trees. My attention was drawn to the side lighting on the cedar trees. Transitioned from light to dark, the sunlight wraps around the tree before fading into the dark forest background. The lush blanket of ferns on the forest floor provides an excellent anchor point to the scene.
Purchase print at Cedar Forest, Lewis and Clark State Park, Washington.
