100 amazing travel photos from around the West

Window on the West

Desolation Wilderness, CA

Fourth of July, Upper Echo Lake, Desolation Wilderness, evening canoe. Couldn't have been more quiet. — Brian Whyte

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Desolation Wilderness, CA

View from the canoe at the end of a great weekend at Upper Echo Lake. Amazing reflections. — Bryan Whyte

Northern Wyoming

Worth the work: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. — Dawn Faught

More: Amazing Yosemite road trip

Southern Colorado

Paint with a view: Sangre de Cristo Mountains, CO. — Dawn Faught

More: 18 great Colorado campgrounds

Misty Fjords, AK

Eddystone Rock at Misty Fjords National Monument, AK — Alisa Timmerman

More: 10 favorite National Monuments

Kona, HI

My husband and I hiked a few miles over a huge lava field just south of Kona to find this wonderful secluded beach.

This little sunbathing sea turtle seemed as curious about us as we were fascinated by him! — Heidi Pomeroy

Albuquerque, NM

Fall aspens at Little Cloud Park, Albuquerque. — Alyson Klinger

Mesa, AZ

Sunset in Mesa, AZ. — Justin Thor Simenson

Yosemite, CA

Half Dome as seen from Glacier Point in Yosemite. — Julie Chai

More: Sunset's Guide to Yosemite

Porteau Cove, BC

This is during a Camp-N-Scuba Dive trip with Emerald Sea Dive Club of Edmonds, WA.

We were all sitting around the camp fire in the evening at Porteau Cove between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish BC. A Wonderful treat on top of a few good days of diving, food and friends. — Emery Stacy

Pecos, NM

Ruins near the visitors' center at Pecos, NM. — Justin Thor Simenson

More: Things to do in Pecos, New Mexico

Puget Sound, WA

Paraglider over Puget Sound, May 2010. — Juline Bajada

Lahaina Harbor, Maui, HI

Snapped on a sunset dinner cruise offered through the Pacific Whale Foundation. Amazing sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. — Juliana Bilibin

More: Insider's guide to Maui

Papohaku Beach, Molokai

Our footprints on Papohaku Beach, Moloka'i, on our honeymoon in August 2006. — Amber Gregory

More: Favorite romantic getaways

Albuquerque, NM

Rainbow over the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, NM — Justin Thor Simenson

New Mexico

A storm brewing north of Cerillos, NM. — Justin Thor Simenson

Eastern Wyoming

Between Lusk and Keeline, WY, summer 2010. — Rick Kornegay

Whidbey Island, WA

Whidbey Island sunrise. — Kate Steward James

Antelope Canyon, AZ

The canyon, like a giant camera, allows light in. It feels warm. — Chris Zukowski

Dunes near Hurricane, UT

It wasn't easy walking on the dunes. It is like you are treading across the moon. In fact, with the barren but awe-inspiring scenery you might mistake the place for another planet. — Chris Zukowski

Northern Oregon

Oswald West State Park in Northern Coastal Oregon. — Candice Allen

Baker Lake, WA

Baker Lake, WA, with Mount Baker in the background. Taken September 2008. — Laura Hathapriceameyer

Grand Canyon, AZ

North Rim of the Grand Canyon. — David Millican

More: Grand Canyon National Park Guide

Bryce National Park, UT

Bryce Canyon National Park: View from Queens Garden and Navajo Trail loop. — David Millican

Salton Sea, CA

Last rays of light over the Salton Sea, CA. — Jill Hayes

Manzanita, OR

"Neahkahnie Moon": Moonrise from Neahkahnie Mountain overlook along US 101 near Manzanita, OR. — Ray Wyatt

Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Sunset on trail above Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park. — David Millican

More: Utah's secret park

Northern California

A carpet of blooms on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas

More: Great spring trips

Northern California

California poppy on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas

More: Great spring trips

Northern California

Wildflower hike on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas

More: Great spring trips

Northern California

Phantom Falls (aka Coal Canyon Falls) on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas

More: Great spring trips

Oahu, HI

Beach at Bellows AFB, Oahu. Perfect blend of surf, sun, and sand! — Juliana Bilibin

Redmond, WA

This was taken at my high school reunion banquet. I was seated near French doors at the back of a golf course club house, and a terrific thunder storm was approaching. — Ted Herlinger

Folsom, CA

The 3 bridges of Folsom, CA, from a kayak. — Judd Daniel

Western Nevada

Sand Mountain, east of Fallon, NV. — Sarah Anna Noce

San Francisco, CA

Early morning in San Francisco and a walk across the Gold Gate Bridge, just beautiful! — Christine Haman Woods

More: 20 San Francisco day trips

Cannon Beach, OR

I was standing on the cliff at Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach OR at sunset, and the lights were just coming on. This is one of my favorite photos. — Liz Burnside

More: 3 days in Cannon Beach

Kauai, HI

Our last evening in Kauai, HI. I miss that swing. — Jennifer Bucsis-Styduhar

More: Things to do on Kauai

Mono Lake, CA

View of Mono Lake during an RV trip in 2009. — Robin Beringer Paley

More: Soak up fall along California's Eastern Sierra

Highway 50, UT

Almost to Salt Lake City after a solo drive along Hwy 50, the loneliest road in America. This was just outside of Eureka, Utah. — Jeff Hanley

More: Lonely, lovely Highway 50

Woodside, CA

Spring tulips at Filoli, Woodside, CA. — Mike Vella

More: Great spring trips

North Lake Tahoe, CA

Sunset at Sand Harbor Beach, North Lake Tahoe. — Lisa O'Hara Hertz 

More: Summer at Lake Tahoe

Gig Harbor, WA

This is the view we have from the concert in the park every Tuesday evening! The best part is watching the occasional eagle cruise by. — Inga Fouquette

More: A day in Gig Harbor

Point Lobos, CA

Lovely day on the central coast! Took a hike with my 11-month-old after the morning fog burned off. — Juliana Bilibin

Point Lobos, CA

One of my favorite places: Point Lobos State Natural Preserve on the Monterey Bay in California. This place is magical. — Jan Burroughs

More: Things to do on California's Central Coast

Morro Bay, CA

My wow pic comes from Morro Bay, CA. Jan 2010. We were kayaking in this amazing sunset! — Jean Orantes Klima

More: Things to do along California's Central Coast

Yosemite, CA

A perfect day in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, June 2009. — Chelsea Sellin

More: Yosemite Park Guide

Yosemite, CA

Water falls down cliff faces in Yosemite National Park.

More: Yosemite National Park Guide

Yosemite, CA

On the trail to Mirror Lakes in Yosemite National Park. — Tanya DeCastro

More: Yosemite National Park Guide

Huntington Beach, CA

Kite festival at Huntington Beach, CA, March 2010. — Viki Colby Nickels

More: Weekend in Huntington Beach

 

Southwest Colorado

Beaver Ponds near South Fork, CO. — Julie Ramirez-Skipper St. John

Northwest Colorado

Flat Tops Wilderness Area near Yampa, CO.

This is Ranger. His middle name is Danger. — Heidi Taylor

More: Pets in the West

Ouray, CO

Box Canyon Falls, Ouray, CO. — Julie Ramirez-Skipper St. John 

New Mexico

El Malpais National Conservation Area, south of Grants, NM. — David Millican

Near Kanab, UT

Mushroom Wash hike east of Kanab, UT. — David Millican

Marin County, CA

I loved the flowers springing up on the coastline! — Amber Gallegos

More: Sausalito secrets

Eastern Sierra, CA

Fall colors below Lake Sabrina, Eastern Sierra, CA — Marilyn Green Lamb

More: Fall in the Eastern Sierra

Kruzof Island, AK

Iris Meadows, Kruzof Island, in Southeast Alaska. Only reachable by boat. Beautiful place and tons of brown bears.

This was taken while heading to the Forest Service cabin at North Beach. We were on 4-wheelers. — Roz DeRensis

Zion National Park, UT

That's the Virgin River in the foreground with the Watchman in the background. — Marianne Wedell-Wedellsborg

More: Zion National Park Guide

Big Island, HI

Rainbow Falls. Huge trees and dense jungle. Breathtaking. — Sheri Anderson Robesky

Big Island, HI

Series of pools at the Boiling Pots on the Big Island of Hawaii. Swim in the pools and hike around the water. — Sheri Anderson Robesky

Maui, HI

Makena Beach, Maui on our 25th wedding anniversary in March 2006. — Peggy Jackson Dale

More: Insider's guide to Maui

Crater Lake, OR

Crater Lake National Park, OR, July 2003. — Micaela Torregrosa-Mahoney 

Guide: More national parks

Yosemite, CA

Lower Young Lake, Yosemite National Park, CA — Bill Willers

More: Yosemite Park Guide

Lake Wenatchee, WA

Lake Wenatchee State Park is one of Washington's undiscovered beauties. — Mark Gubrud

More: Taste Washington's apple country

Northern California

Twin Lakes, Mammoth, CA. — Buffy Stalkr

More: Fall getaway to California's Eastern Sierra

 

Skagit Valley, WA

Tulip Festival in Washtington's Skagit Valley. — Tina Tran

More: Skagit Valley day trip

Napa River, CA

A stormy sunset over the Napa River wetlands, California. — Doug DaSilva

More: Napa, the grand tour

Mt. Rainier, WA

The Sunrise entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. — Tina Tran

More: Best camping in the Northwest

Cannon Beach, OR

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR. — Cheryl Koschalk Comsia 

More: 48 hours in Cannon Beach

Big Sur coast, CA

Day trip to Big Sur Coast, California. — Theresa Geary Liddell Bridwell 

More: California coast escape

Santa Cruz, CA

A day trip to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. — Doug DaSilva

More: Things to do in Santa Cruz

Vancouver, B.C.

Coal Harbor, Vancouver, B.C. — Doug DaSilva

Abiquiu, NM

Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. I think Georgia O'Keefe once lived in this log cabin.  — Julie Chai

San Francisco, CA

Ocean Beach, San Francisco. — Sun Principe

More: San Francisco beach day trip

Wrights Lake, CA

Wrights Lake in the Eldorado National Forest, Southwest of Lake Tahoe. — Suzanne Gladkoff Stephen 

More: California's best campgrounds

Southern Colorado

The Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. — Justin Thor Simenson

Victoria, B.C.

Looking down on The Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C. April 2010. — Claudia Murray

Vancouver, B.C.

Window display on Robson Street, Vancouver, B.C. — Doug DaSilva

More: Where to eat and stay in Vancouver

Humboldt State Park, CA

Overlook from the Seven Bridges Trail, Humboldt State Park, CA. — Jaye Finley

Yosemite, CA

Yosemite Falls: A favorite sight in Yosemite National Park. — Janye Locas

More: Your guide to Yosemite

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, CA

A meadow of native plants at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. — Mary Anne Kendall

More: Things to do in Santa Barbara

Northern Oregon

Rhododendrons on US 101, near Hug Point State Park on the North Oregon coast. — Ray Wyatt

More: 3 days in Cannon Beach

Asotin, WA

A Rocky Mountain big horn sheep wandered into my Hells Canyon Kitchen at Heller Bar Lodge on the Snake River of Hells Canyon on July 13, 2010. — Jill Koch

Lassen National Park, CA

Juniper Lake, Lassen National Park. A shot very similar to Sunset's May 2010 magazine cover. — Marc Svenby

More:

• Lassen Peak — California's hidden treasure
• The West's best camping

Maui, HI

Seven Sacred Pools at Haleakala National Park, Hana, Maui. — Michell Eblin

More: Insider's guide to Maui

 

La Jolla Shores, CA

La Jolla Shores, just as the sun melted into the sea. Our daughter is making her own footprints in the sand. — Peggy Jackson Dale

Yosemite National Park, CA

Yosemite, above Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. Gorgeous day hike on day off from our volunteer work week in the Valley. — Kathy Montgomery

More: Your guide to Yosemite

 

Grand Canyon, AZ

View from a Grand Canyon hike. — Kathy Montgomery

More: Your guide to the Grand Canyon

 

Routt National Forest, WY

Routt National Forest, west of Centennial, WY, in the summer of 2009. — Rick Kornegay

Morro Rock, CA

A morning mist hides the top of Morro Rock at Morro Bay, California. — Nicole Bunink

Grand Tetons, WY

Reflection of a cloud-capped peak at the Grand Tetons, WY, September 2007. — Viki Colby Nickels

More: Your guide to the Grand Tetons

Depoe Bay, OR

Our favorite place, Depoe Bay, early in the morning. This returning charterboat illustrates just how narrow the bay entrance is. Picture taken from the deck of our B&B. — Liz Burnside

More: 10 hideaways by the sea

Mt. Rainier, WA

View of a Mt. Rainier sunrise from my deck. — Kate Steward James

More: 19 top Northwest campgrounds

Avalon, Catalina Island, CA

Our honeymoon cruise to Avalon, on Catalina Island. — Viki Colby Nickels

More: Top 10 hideaways by the sea

Swan Valley, ID

Trail beside Palisades Creek, Swan Valley, ID. — Brenda Price

Healdsburg, CA

Near Healdsburg, CA: Grapes just hanging out in late summer. — Wendy VanHatten

Sequoia National Park, CA

Amphitheater Lake, Sequoia National Park, CA. — Elizabeth Evans

More: Sequoia Park Guide

Big Sur, CA

Annual trip to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. — Ray Elicone

Monterey Bay, CA

Sunset over Monterey Bay, summer 2009. The end of a beautiful day. — Lorraine Jones