I remember when I first saw Lake Crescent. It was the end of a long day hiking the High Divide Loop and the end of a week exploring the Olympic Peninsula. I had started my explorations in the south and worked my way clockwise around the Peninsula, with this final drive taking me back to Seattle. I had no idea what lay ahead of me, and when the lake came into view, I thought it was one of the most spectacular sights of the trip.
Unfortunately, I had a long road ahead of me with no time to stop and admire the views. I enjoyed the scenery as best as I could from the driver’s seat. The fleeting glimpses through the trees, brief vistas vanishing as quickly as they came, and dim views in the gathering darkness likely contributed to the strong impression the lake made on me. The long summer evening faded into night as I slowly made my way around the sound, and I wondered at what I had seen.
Over the years I made plans to return, but one way or another nothing came of them. But finally, 14 years later, I made it back to the area and made sure there was time for exploring. My memory was not disappointed.
This picture, with the tree framing the distant shore, is an homage of sorts to my original experience viewing the lake. The trees obscure, but cannot hide, the grandeur of the lake. They beckon you to come closer and take a better look, until you find yourself standing on the shore, waves lapping at your feet.