On December 17, 2003, I flew a photographic flight that began
in the Dome Peak/Spire Point area and extended north along the crest
of the North Cascades, terminating at Hozomeen. When I contacted Kelly Bush
(Head Backcountry Ranger, North Cascades National Park) to file a flight plan,
she asked if I could swing past Desolation Lookout and do a condition check,
as the park had received a report that late-season hikers had pulled down the
storm shutters to look inside, then failed to replace them. This image
(one of about twenty in this series) was shot in the failing light of late
afternoon. The blurred background is the result of the slow shutter speed,
the speed of the aircraft, and panning the camera inside the cockpit to keep
the lookout in the frame. Because of the difficult conditions, only two other
images were usable, including a close-up that showed the storm shutters in their
proper place. I was amazed back then at what I saw as I circled this fabled spot,
and am grateful to be able to share it now with you.