Enchanted Valley
Enchanted Valley earns its name with a dramatic glacier-carved amphitheater ringed by towering cliffs that shed dozens of seasonal waterfalls after snowmelt or heavy rain, creating one of the most surreal valley scenes in the Pacific Northwest. The old chalet building sitting alone on the valley floor adds a compelling human element against the massive walls behind it, and framing it with the East Fork Quinault River in the foreground gives you strong depth and scale. Wide angle lenses work well here to capture the full sweep of cliffs and falls, while a telephoto lets you isolate individual cascades. Spring and early summer bring the most waterfalls, and overcast light flatters the scene by reducing harsh shadows in this deep valley. Be prepared for the 13-mile hike each way on the Quinault Trail, so most photographers plan an overnight stay to catch morning mist settling across the meadow floor. (Olympic National Park, Washington, United States)
