Javin Elliff Photography

August 5, 2024

In Search of Elk

I went on a three day backpacking trip in search of Roosevelt elk in their summer range, but was unsuccessful in finding any wildlife whatsoever. The weather forecast on the first day called for showers until noon, and I started late hoping to miss it. Instead, it rained into the evening, and my boots were soaked before I reached my first campsite. They stayed soaked for the entirety of the trip! I carried my large telephoto lens in my backpack for over 25 miles, and didn't use it once. It was slightly disappointing, but the views were still lovely.

Old growth trees enveloped in fog.
A trail through an old growth forest of mostly Douglas fir and western hemlock trees, with a carpet of sword ferns.
A small subalpine pond surrounded by grass on a misty day.
Subalpine tree reflections in a small pond on a foggy evening.
Subalpine trees on a foggy morning.
Fog separates a row of subalpine trees from the backdrop of a distant forested hillside.
Better Weather
A faint trail cuts through a mature forest consisting mostly of western hemlock and Pacific silver fir.