The South Coast Wilderness Trail is a stunning, rugged, and truly wild 17 mile one-way hike through Olympic National Park. One of the last undeveloped coastlines in the contiguous United States, Olympic’s protection status ensures native species like sea otters, bald eagles, bears, and migrating whales will continue to thrive in this pristine wilderness.

Switching between stretches of picturesque coast and dense rainforest, the trek (which is at sea level) entails 2,000 feet in elevation change, due to the use of ladders and ropes to maneuver up and down coastal embankments.

This was one such area on my backpacking trip where the trail climbed several hundred feet following a rope climb from the beach. The blue of this area of the Pacific is stunning, especially contrasted with the lush greenery of Olympic’s rainforest.

Lover’s Leap Arch, located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, near Munising, Michigan, is one of the park's most iconic and photographed spots. The towering 200-foot cliffs and turquoise waters, are often photographed from the water as kayakers paddle through it.

The cliffs colors, created by mineral staining, show streaks of red, orange, green, blue giving the area its "painted" appearance and inspiring the park’s name. According to Native American legend, Lover's Leap got its name from a heartbroken woman’s jump to her death after her lover failures to return from a journey.

This section was part of our 22-mile backpacking trip along cliffs; a section of the Niagara Escarpment. This day was particularly stormy causing Lake Superior’s waves to continually crash into the cliffs, often reaching their full height. These waves and cliffs lead this area to become on of the most dangerous shipping routes the country, infamously with the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Oregon has been experiencing an uptick in sea lion strandings, particularly along the central and northern coasts. In the fall of 2023, the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network reported several daily calls about sick or dead sea lions.

In Oregon, while pups do sometimes rest alone on beaches naturally, the rising number of reports of lethargic or underweight pups reflects broader ecological challenges. Many of these cases are related to malnutrition, toxins from algal blooms, or disease outbreaks like leptospirosis.

This little guy made my heart pang after running into it when walking into the Devil’s Punchbowl at low tide. There was no one around and I was not sure of the situation until a local apleated and said this was a strange site. We called the OMMSN, and they said it was most likely a mother leaving its pup while it forged some food. The local promised to keep an eye out for a couple hours to see if the mother returned while I pushed on to Portland.

Haystack Rock near Pacific City, also known as Chief Kiwanda Rock, is an enormous sea stack located just offshore from Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, Oregon.

Standing approximately 327 feet, it is one of the tallest sea stacks on the Oregon coast, even taller than the more famous Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach.

This was taken during a bustling evening near the Pelican Brewing Company, where patrons dined as the light broke through at golden hour, giving way to these stunning clouds behind the sea stack. After taking a sunset shot, I found the solitary nature of the rock against the ocean waves fascinating and wanted a visual that gave a sense of its unmoving nature over the past 17 million years.

Haystack Rock near Pacific City, also known as Chief Kiwanda Rock, is an enormous sea stack located just offshore from Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, Oregon.

While setting up my long exposure settings and checking for sensor spots, I inadvertently captured this image that I did not review until I was back home editing.

There are certain abstract images that stick with me due to either the juxtaposition of form, or an undefinable impressionist quality. This image, taken at 1/10th of a second, brought to mind the world’s continual turn without the need for our recognition, endless fleeting moments in time.

The escarpment at Pictured Rocks, in this case Chapel Rock, is part of the dramatic sandstone cliff formations that define the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Chapel Rock itself is a striking feature of this escarpment — a freestanding column of Nape sandstone, shaped by centuries of erosion from wind, water, and ice.

This section of the escarpment showcases the layered and weathered nature of the sandstone, with its rich textures and colors—ranging from golden hues to deep reds and greens—caused by the mineral content in groundwater.

After a long day of backpacking, I set up camp and filtered water from Lake Superior while setting up this shot. I found the rock against the passing storm a particularly interesting composition, showing the fascinating rock that has been a source of wonder for centuries.

The lone white pine on Chapel Rock, located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, is estimated to be about 250 years old. There once was an archway connecting the rock to the mainland but it collapsed in the 1940s.

Chapel Beach and the mouth of Chapel River is adjacent to Chapel Rock, and is popular backcountry campground and hiking destination, offering a secluded beach as well as access to many waterfalls.

After a long day of backpacking, I set up camp and filtered water from Lake Superior while setting up this shot. The mouth of the Chapel River is pictured here, showing the diversity of this picturesque environment that has been a source of wonder for centuries.

Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park may be the one of the most scenic stretches of the entire Oregon Coast. Located about 15 miles north of Florence, and only a few miles past Heceta Head Lighthouse (a trail connects the two parks), the surrounding area offers a portal to another world.

The China Creek Trail weaves through coastal forests terminating on the beach, and the picturesque Hobbit Trail, known for its moss-draped trees and old-growth forest, make the hiking here magical.

This photograph was taken moments after sundown, following a chaotic two hours of trying to photography too many areas at once. I used the last remaining daylight to grab this abstract before retiring to my campsite across the main road. The park is a quiet place, unassuming, and it is here that shows Oregon’s true beauty.

Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park may be the one of the most scenic stretches along the entire Oregon Coast. Located about 15 miles north of Florence, and only a few miles past Heceta Head Lighthouse (a trail connects the park), this area offers a portal to another world.

The China Creek Trail which weaves through coastal forests terminating on the beach, and the picturesque Hobbit Trail known for its moss-draped trees and old-growth forest.

This photograph was taken after sundown following a chaotic two hours of photographing. I used the last remaining daylight to grab this abstract before retiring to my campsite across the main road. It is a quiet place, unassuming, and it is here that shows Oregon’s true beauty.

Heceta Head is one of the most iconic and picturesque stretches along the Oregon Coast. Known for its historic lighthouse, dramatic cliffs, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, it must be seen to be believed.

Located just north of Florence, Oregon, Heceta Head offers a blend of natural beauty, maritime history, and coastal ecology.

This photo came after photographing the Heceta Head lighthouse, which resides right behind this stunning view. The road curve seen in the distance is also the location of the nation’s only natural Sea Lion caves, accessible to tourists via an elevator.

The Oregon Coast holds many treasures and its relationship with the Pacific leads to its dramatic cliffs. Stretching endlessly westward, the Pacific creates a boundless horizon that seems to hold no end.

Long before roads carved through these coastal towns dotting the headlands, this was a remote and mysterious frontier. Pirate ships, privateers, and explorers found their way to this region, exploring its untouched mysteries. Legends linger of hidden coves that sheltered their treasures, buried beneath shifting sands or unexplored coves.

This photograph was taken right near the lookout to Heceta Head, and while that lighthouse is as picturesque as any can be, it was this drama playing out in the clouds that drew my eye. It seemed to point me back to an unremembered time, before roads, towns, and civilization.

The Oregon Dunes are one of the most unique and dramatic landscapes along the Oregon Coast, stretching roughly 40 miles from Florence to Coos Bay. Formed over thousands of years by wind, rain, and ocean forces, these dunes make up the largest coastal sand dune system in North America.

Some dunes will reach heights of up to 500 feet, creating a surreal and constantly shifting landscape that feels more like a desert than part of the lush Pacific Northwest. This vast expanse also contains coastal forests, wetlands, and freshwater lakes, making it an incredibly diverse ecosystem.

This lookout, pointing south, shows the beginnings of the dune system. I stopped off on the side of the road to grab this shot on my way to John Dellenback Dunes, one of the highlights of my trip and my first time stepping in quick sand.