Early Morning Autumn at Tipsoo Lake

I love fall color. We start seeing the maple trees turn red in mid-August. By the end of September, the trees by our road have turned a golden yellow and fall un underway.

We’re not quite there yet, but Saturday Scott and I decided to try and find some fall color. So we headed for a favorite spot in higher elevation that we hoped would give us some great views. We left our house in the dark; coffee in hand; planning to arrive around sunrise and capture the early morning light at Tipsoo Lake.

It was a beautiful morning looking to be a beautiful day. As we gathered our equipment and left the car, we noticed another group of photographers heading for the lakeside. We’d done that viewpoint on another trip, so instead Scott and I hiked up the trail above the lake where we had the view all to ourselves.

Scott and I  found a great spot to settle in and watch the sunrise. We watched the snowcapped mountain light up, and the line of sunshine slowly creeped down the mountain. As the sun came up, we heard and saw everything wake up around us. We begin to hear the birds, chipmunks and pikas. The landscape went from being dull and muted to being bright vivid color.

We knew it would take a while for the sunlight to move into the valley so we took a break for breakfast. We got back just in time to see the sunshine light up the hillside. It was beautiful!

By then the hikers began to arrive. Tipsoo Lake is also the start of the Naches Loop hike. A 3.5 mile loop hike that treats you to wildflowers, fall color, and mountain views. It would be a great day for a hike, but it wasn’t what we wanted to do this particular day.  So, we explored the trail circling Little Tipsoo Lake instead.

We took the scenic route home that involved a stop for pie at Whistlin’ Jacks, coffee at Mountain Goat Coffee, and a stop at the Huff and Puff. It was a great way to spend a Saturday.

On to the next adventure!