Pacific Northwest Forest

The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most beautiful forests I’ve ever seen. These old-growth forests receive so much moisture that everything is covered in vibrant green moss, while enormous Douglas firs and cedars have been growing here for hundreds of years.

I took this photo while hiking the Wonderland Trail in 2024, a spectacular route that circles Mount Rainier. The trail repeatedly climbs high ridges before descending into the deep valleys that carry meltwater away from the mountain. Hidden within some of these remote valleys are old-growth forests that have never been logged.

Especially in the early morning and late afternoon, I found myself slowing down, simply wandering through these forests, listening to the birds and watching the sunlight filter through the canopy.

The Japanese even have a word for this: komorebi - the beautiful patterns of sunlight shining through the leaves and branches, creating shifting patches of light on the forest floor.

It’s an incredibly simple moment, yet one that feels absolutely magical.