The Heart of Goat Rocks

The rugged silhouette of Ives Peak rises above the colorful volcanic landscape of Washington's Goat Rocks Wilderness, viewed here from the summit of nearby Old Snowy Mountain. Sculpted by ancient volcanic activity and carved by glaciers, this remarkable landscape is one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic alpine destinations.

This photograph was the reward for a summer backpacking trip spent exploring the high country. Evenings were passed in the meadows below, playing cards beneath an endless sky before climbing Old Snowy the following day. Moments like these remind us that some of the best mountain adventures aren't measured only by the summits reached, but by the simple memories shared along the way