Sacred Dancing Cascade

Sacred Dancing Cascade is a multi-tiered waterfall along McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park, where rushing whitewater tumbles over smooth rocky shelves with a dramatic backdrop of jagged peaks. The small footbridge spanning the creek is your best shooting position, giving you a centered or slightly angled view of the falls with the mountains rising behind them. A wide angle lens works well here to capture both the foreground water movement and the full mountain backdrop in a single frame; use a slow shutter speed to silk the water and add drama. Early morning from April through July is ideal, when soft directional light catches the peaks and the scene is free of harsh shadows. Parking along Going-to-the-Sun Road is straightforward, and the short trail to the cascade is well maintained. Bring a lens cloth since mist from the falls can reach the bridge. (Glacier National Park, Montana, United States)