The Culmination - Glacier National Park, Mt

I'm sure some of you know that I have a love affair with Glacier National Park. I've spent dozens of weeks in the park over the years trying to do it justice with photographs. There are so many spots that I have on my wish-list to photograph... last week I was finally able to check one off. 

Cracker Lake has been on my radar for many years now, but I never got around to photographing it before now due to a few variables... but namely the long hike in the dark through the most active Grizzly territory in the park. Towards the end of a workshop I was leading I was joined by one client-turned-friend Mazen, my great friend Rob, and my lovely fiance Candace (yeah, I tricked her into agreeing to marry me recently). 

It wasn't until we had a group of 4 that we all felt comfortable making the 12 mile day-hike to photograph this incredible scene... the last 6 miles made on the way back in the dark with twitchy nerves due to potential Grizzly Bear encounters. Man, it was so worth it. One of the most beautiful and peaceful hikes I have made in Glacier Park. Sweeping views abound and various types of terrain keep you motivated to see what is around the next bend or down into the next valley. 

Arriving to this lake is worth it on it's own, even without getting any photos. It's the most vibrant turquoise colored glacial lake I have seen in Glacier... so dense with glacial silt that from the shore you can only see about 6 inches deep into the water before it becomes too milky to see further. Meadows of wildflowers blanket the shores and the vertical relief of Mt. Siyeh and Allen Mountain intimidate... hard to do the scale justice here while trying to fit all the elements into a 14mm frame. 

I guess what I am getting at is that this is one of the most precious gems of Glacier I have seen (and there are many more I am anxious to see) so you really should take some time to explore this park... especially if you're a photographer, it's paradise. 

This was shot with the Sony a7r (which is really growing on me) at 14mm. No exposure blending needed, but it is a blend of 11 different focus points at f11.  

You even snuck the moon in!

Kelly

OMG you are a Claude Monet of modern day landscapes!  I just adore this shot.

Awesome shot, Ryan and thanks for sharing the experience. The journey is one of the best things about being an outdoor photographer. Although I lived for 20 years in Wyoming and spent quite a bit of time in Montana, I haven't yet made it up to Glacier Park. Thanks to your photos, I'm moving it up on my priority list.

Beautiful image. Well done!!

I'm holding a lighter in the air 

Wow, what an amazing photo. All of your photos have such a distinct style and look to them, they have a magical yet surreal quality to them. I love them! Keep up the work Ryan, its absolutely amazing.

I'm speechless, this photo is remarkable.  Seriously, I'm trying to find words for how I feel about this photo and nothing seems worthy.  Thank you for sharing, this belongs framed on a wall in a gallery. 

Great clouds and light.

I won't say anything you haven't heard yet.  But this is a stunning photo.  

David Hutnik wrote: I'm holding a lighter in the air 

I'm right there with you.  This shot is gorgeous!  

Great shot.  Its a "10" in my book.  What lens did you use?  I see 14mm was the focal length, but what lens was used? I'm looking forward to seeing your next shot!

I'm a fan.  Did you vignette on purpose at the top or was that from the filter?

To huge thumbs up!

That is a spectacular photo!!