Way in Doug Firs at 1600 m., below Krag Peak, near Crater Lake,
(Pseudostuga menziesii), South Wallowas . . .

The character and composition of the mountain forest change with
altitude and exposition like a miraculous symphony of variations on
the theme of upright woody plants. This band of oldgrowth Douglas
Firs is centered at 1600 meters and occupying an expanse of altitude
equally only about 50 meters or so. That means one enters it like an
open cathedral, and follows the path through its misty chambers until
for some subtile combination of reasons the giant firs and closed canopy
gives way to the radically different and more open spaces of Subalpine
or what I call Spire Firs. The slope here is west-facing. In the
way it catches and holds moisture, one senses a distinct echo of
the giant fir forests of the West Cascades. And yes, when one speaks
if one speaks at all passing along this well-made path, it is at a whisper
of the softest '3-P's' or orchestral pianissimo . . .

—On the road in the American Northwest.

Last Light on Conifers

Fall Contrast— East Eagle Valley

Last Light on Tamaracs

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