Newhalem Washigtion ~ Pefect Place for a Photowalk!

Aug 08 2009

Newhalem Washigtion ~ Pefect Place for a Photowalk!

Published by CLS at 10:55 am under Seattle Photo Walks

Electric Theme Gazebo In Newhalem

I haven’t been out much this summer – darn, I’m not living up to one of my New Years Goals. I resolved this year to spend more time traveling and photographing this summer. Oh well, the summer isn’t completely over – with a little planning maybe I can get out…..

But, enough about me and my woes – I did make it out to Newhalem the other day and can hardly wait to go back with a tripod in hand. Newhalem is the perfect place to practice bracketing exposures and testing out HDR techniques. The Gazebo above is a perfect example of what I mean - on this trip I didn’t have a tripod – but I think the retro look would perfectly lend itself to HDR. I’m going back soon!

Newhalemwas built as a support town/community for the Seattle Ciry Light Hydroelectric projects that brought electricity to Seattle. Originally thought of as overkill- when it was developed in 1918 because there wasn’t enough need for so much electricity in Seattle, the dams now only provide a fraction of the needed electrical demand in Seattle. However the dams are still owned by Seattle City Light and the town is a lovely little place with quirky sculpture, nature paths, the ladder falls and the Gorge Powerhouse (which visitors are still allowed to tour).

Engine Number Six

James Delmadge Ross was the founder of the Newhalem. His vision was to promote hydroelectricity and thus he promoted the town of Newhalem as a tourist destination for Seattle area residents – which soon found national recognition. Ross used railway to bring visitors to Newhalem for an overnight visit, which included the Ladder Garden tour (exotic plants from all over the world – unfortunately, now gone – but the garden framework remains) a brightly light up night time display of multi-colored lights, musical selections and recorded bird sounds.

While the grand overnight tours are now gone – you can take day tours of the facilities or visit on your own. I strongly recommend stopping by the visitor center and picking up the ‘Walking Tour of Historic Newhalem’ before setting out. It’s filled with little gems about the town, highlights not to miss and insights into what the area was like in the post-war era.

To get to Newhalem:it is about 140 miles or 3 hours northeast of Seattle. Head north on Interstate 5, and take Exit 232. This is the Cook Road Sedro-Woolley exit near Mount Vernon, Washington. Head east through the first stoplight close to the exit off ramp. Continue east on Cook Road for 4.5 miles until you reach a second stoplight and turn left onto the North Cascades Highway 20. View Goolge Map

Crossing the footbrigde there's a wonderful trail along the river

Don’t forget to take a rain coat or cover for your camera. When I left to visit it was sunny and over 90 degrees in Seattle – upon arrival in Newhalem it was overcast an drizzling. The night before a thunderstorm had rolled through the area and closed the Highway farther north in the Cascades on Highway 20. My point – it’s cooler and wetter than Seattle (if that’s possible – LOL).