Colorful vine maples adorn the basalt monolith of Oregon’s Table Rock Wilderness. A 3.3 mile long trail with a modest grade climbs through stately forest past tall basalt cliffs before topping out at drop-dead gorgeous viewpoints stretching from high Cascade Peaks to the Willamette Valley. Table Rock stands at 4,881 feet above sea level and has a rich forest of Douglas fir and western hemlock, with noble fir at higher elevations. At least two endangered plants bloom here: Oregon sullivantia and Gorman’s aster. Deer and elk wander about its slopes, and the northern spotted owl have been seen among the old trees. From four trailheads, about 17 miles of trails give access to the Wilderness. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM. Posted on Instagram by the U Department of the Interior, 6/15/15.
Sometime it’s all about being at the right place at the right time. Case in point: This amazing photo of what appears to be Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome on fire. While photographing sunrise at the park, Austin Jenanyan noticed a cloud forming around Half Dome. It eventually morphed into the shape of a flame and was illuminated by the early morning light. It only lasted a few short moments, but Austin describes it as a surreal and magical experience. Photo courtesy of Austin Jenanyan. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/12/15.
Montana’s Glacier National Park. Picture by Oliver Goodman. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 6/12/15.
Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison below the Milky Way. Picture by Greg Owen. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/14/15.