Digital, Film, and Instant: Photographing the Hike to Lake Ann
Mount Shuksan seen from the trail to Lake Ann
There is nothing like summer in the Pacific Northwest. The region is beautiful year round, it comes alive during the summer months. Evergreens tower over fields of wildflowers, and winding trails lead to jagged peaks doing still clinging to the last of winter’s snow. When friends or family come to town, it’s always a challenge to choose from our favorite trails to try to explain why summer is the PNW’s best kept secret.
This summer, during my cousin’s visit, we returned to one of our favorite go-to hikes- a glacial lake tucked into the shoulder of Mount Shuksan. The trail to Lake Ann is arguably one of the most beautiful in the state. In August, the meadows in the basin are bursting with wildflowers, making the initial descent - knowing you have to climb back up- somehow more bearable.
After passing through the flower filled basin and a section of forest, the trail begins a steeper climb over rocky terrain. Eventually, you reach the top of a pass , which reveals a stunning view of Lake Ann. The lake, nestled in the bowl of the mountains, reflects the color of the sky. To the left of the pass is the start of the climbers’ trail to Mount Shuskan, while most hikers venture down and to the right, towards the lake’s edge.
Lake Ann viewed from the pass
We had come prepared with floaties and bathing suits, looking forward to a dip the cool water after the heat of the climb. The cold water is shocking at first, but softens eventually. With our floaties supporting us, we got to see the basin from an entirely new perspective. Of course, I was too chicken to bring even my phone. Maybe next time I’ll bring a waterproof housing.
To capture the experience, I carried three cameras on the hike, each offering a unique way to document the day. The Sony a6700 has become my trusted hiking companion, offering a smaller footprint than it’s cousin the a7RV that was home sitting on my shelf.
The jagged peaks of Mount Shuksan
I also brought the tiny RETO Ultra Wide and Slim. It’s plastic lens and unique aesthetic paired with Kodak Ultramax beautifully captured the colors of the summer.
Finally, I brought the Polaroid i-2, wanting to capture the iconic viewpoints with that distinct, instant experience, providing a physical memento of the day.
Seeing how vastly different the three cameras rendered the scene was a testament to the fact that every tool tells a different story. The digital images from the Sony were sharp and true to life, capturing nearly ever detail of the light and landscape. The RETO 35 mm offered a nostalgic, imperfect look, it’s colors and grain creating a vintage feel. And the Polaroid gave us a tangible, memento that felt both immediate and permanent. Each camera didn’t just capture a moment, it created it’s own unique visual memory of the day.
