Snapshot

A FUZZY FAMILY

Nico Kniestedt and his partner had recently purchased a new camera when they headed out for a hike at Esmeralda Basin. The trip was partially prep for an upcoming backpacking trip in the North Cascades. As they hiked, they photographed wildflowers and wildlife along the way, including some western tanagers who were feeding their young. As they reached the top of the basin, Nico saw a chipmunk poke its head out from a log a ways ahead on the trail. “By the time the camera focused, two chipmunk heads were poking out,” Nico said. “I ended up lying in the dust on my stomach trying to get a good angle. A third chipmunk popped out! At this point I realized there must have been one parent and two younger chipmunks. I stayed there for what felt like 10 minutes trying out different shutter speeds and aperture to get all three of them in focus. I felt good about the way it turned out.” Nico loves knowing where this image was taken, there’s an entire mountainscape back there, and he loves that great light. “Most of all, I enjoy that this image reminds me of me and my two siblings since I’m the middle child of three,” he said. “ Trails allow me to explore unique sections of the Cascade mountain range and watch these different spaces change with the seasons. Trails help me refresh my mind and do what I love to do most: be active outside.

Trail: Divide Camp Trail Location: South Cascades — Mount Adams area Type of trip: Day hike Trail conditions: Trail in good condition

You did it. Now relive it. File a trip report.

wta.org/tripreports

Photo by Lynette Alber