Methow River Valley via Sun Mtn Lodge

by Omaste Witkowski

Title

Methow River Valley via Sun Mtn Lodge

Artist

Omaste Witkowski

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

Methow River Valley via Sun Mtn Lodge
Omaste Witkowski

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. ~Marcus Aurelius

"Methow River Valley via Sun Mountain" This gorgeous perch is set high above the Methow River Valley and offers an amazing view of the landscape below.We used to live in that valley and had a home close to one of the best mountain bike trails in the country.

At least 5 days a week I would jump on my bike and ride out into these hills and up and down canyons and creekbeds. It was a visual treat every day when I woke up and looked outside. High up in the Cascade Mountains there was beauty all around us in every season of the year.

The winter brought heavy snow and brilliant white crystals everywhere. Spring was these lush green and lavender hillsides and summer brought endless clear rivers to swim in and brilliant sunshine to warm your body and soul. Fall was a spectacular display of leaves and colorful changes.

I was lucky enough to live there and and also to have taken literally thousands of photographs when I was there and now we can enjoy them always no matter where you are.

Many of these photographs have been printed and made their ways into homes and offices across the country. I love knowing that the beauty of nature and the outdoors is being shared and that this art brings joy and light to so many people.

If you are curious about the Methow Valley and want to learn more, reach out to me via email or comment below. I lived in this area for most of my life and have a deep heartfelt connection to these pictures and their stories.

Or if you are looking to bring this magic home with you click the link in my bio to order a print.

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This photograph was taken in Winthrop Wa (Washington State), in the beautiful Methow Valley. Specifically up at Sun Mountain Lodge. The Methow is a small jewel of an area not too far from Seattle in the Pacific Northwest. Okanogan County is such a great place to live for all of the sunshine and outdoors recreation.

I started with a digital photograph and used a HDR process to tone map the light. Then I applied a finishing oil paint layer to add texture to the overall image. I did some tonal work to even out the colors and make them realistic to what I was seeing in nature but not excessively.

I am interested in photography as an "unusual" or "unique" image making process. In other words I enjoy starting with a photograph of an ordinary scene or subject and then I try to make it my own by adding unusual processing techniques. I hope you enjoy viewing my work as much as i enjoy creating it.

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Explore the attractive custom framing and matting options available on this page; all are competitively priced.
If you have any questions about my images or need assistance with sizing, framing, etc., please contact me, before placing your order, at owfotografik@gmail.com

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From Wikipedia
"The Methow River (MET-how) is a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington in the United States. The river's watershed is 1,890 square miles (4,900 km2), with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, with much of the river basin is located in national forests and wildernesses. Many tributaries drain the large Pasayten Wilderness. An earlier economy based on agriculture is giving way to one based on recreation and tourism.

The river was named after the Methow Native Americans (today part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation). The name "Methow" comes from the Okanagan placename /mətxʷ�/, meaning "sunflower (seeds)". The Native American name for the river was Buttlemuleemauch, meaning "salmon falls river".[8] In 1841 the Wilkes Expedition named the river "Barrier River". Alexander Ross said the native name was Buttle-mule-emauch. In 1811 David Thompson met the tribe living along the river and wrote their name as Smeetheowe. In 1853 George Gibbs called the river Methow or Barrier.
Course

The Methow River, along with its tributaries the Twisp River, Cedar Creek, and Early Winters Creek, originates in a cluster of high mountains including Golden Horn, Tower Mountain, Cutthroat Peak, Snagtooth Ridge, Kangaroo Ridge, Early Winter Spires, and Liberty Bell Mountain. Several mountain passes are associated with the Methow River and its tributaries, such as Methow Pass and Twisp Pass. State Route 20 utilizes Washington Pass and Rainy Pass, also in the general areas of headwater streams.

The Pacific Crest Trail follows the uppermost reach of the Methow River, until the river turns east, flowing into the Methow Valley near Mazama. Along the way it collects the tributary streams of Robinson Creek and Lost River. In the Methow Valley, between Mazama and Winthrop, the Methow River is joined by Early Winters Creek, Cedar Creek, Goat Creek, and Wolf Creek. The Chewuch River joins at Winthrop. One of the Methow's larger tributaries, the Chewuch River and its many tributaries drain large parts of the Pasayten Wilderness to the north. One of its headwater streams, Cathedral Creek, reaches nearly to British Columbia, Canada.

The Methow Valley continues below Winthrop to Twisp, where the Methow River is joined by another important tributary, the Twisp River. Flowing from the west, the Twisp River drains the mountains south of Washington Pass as well as the eastern slopes of Sawtooth Ridge, a major mountain range with some of Washington state's highest peaks (such as Star Peak and Mt Bigelow).

Downriver from Twisp, the Methow River passes by the communities of Carlton and Methow, receiving several minor tributaries, before joining the Columbia River at Pateros. This part of the Columbia is the impoundment of Wells Dam, a lake known as Lake Pateros."

Winthrop
From Wikipedia
"Winthrop is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It is east of Mazama and north of Twisp. The population of the Winthrop area was 1,916 at the 2000 census; however, the incorporated town had a population of 349. The 2010 census showed an increase to 394 within the town limits. Winthrop and Mazama recorded the coldest temperature ever measured in Washington state at −48 �F (-44.4 �C) on December 30, 1968.[6]
Winthrop was officially incorporated on March 12, 1924.[7] Native Americans were the first inhabitants of Winthrop. They lived along the banks of the Methow, Twisp and Chewuch rivers, digging camas root, picking berries, fishing and hunting. The first white men to visit the valley were trappers in the 19th century.

In the spring of 1868, placer gold [8] was discovered in the Slate Creek District.

In 1883, the lure of gold brought the first permanent white settlers, three of which were James Ramsey, Ben Pearrygin and Guy Waring. Waring stopped at the forks of the Chewuch and Methow rivers in 1891. His family settled into the "Castle" now the Shafer Museum. Although Waring is the acclaimed founding father, the town is named after Theodore Winthrop, a Yale graduate, adventurer/traveler and gifted 19th century author.[9] The town was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1893. Waring's original Duck Brand Saloon was built in 1891. It survived the fire and is now Winthrop's Town Hall.

In 1894, a flood carried away the bridge at the north fork of the river at Winthrop. Colonel Tom Hart rebuilt the bridge in 1895 at Slate Creek. The industry of Winthrop at this time consists of a well-equipped saw mill, several important dairies, raising cattle, and supplying the local mines with goods.[10]

Owen Wister, Waring's Harvard roommate, wrote The Virginian, American's first western novel, after honey-mooning in Winthrop. [9] By 1915, most of the mines, except for a few in the Slate Creek area, had shut down.

In 1972, when State Highway 20 was nearing completion over the North Cascades, several business people began planning for travelers passing through the town. They agreed to the idea of a western-themed restoration which still exists.
Local attractions
An abandoned log cabin near Winthrop.

Winthrop is known for the American Old West design of all the buildings in town, making it a popular tourist destination. The town theme idea was inspired by the example of Leavenworth, Washington, which in turn was heavily based on Solvang, California.[11] Winthrop is a popular cross-country skiing site, with over 100 miles of groomed trails. Other popular activities include rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, horse-back riding, hunting and fishing, golfing, spectacular sight-seeing and other outdoor activities.
Events include the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival, the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, live theatre and many art galleries.

Winthrop is home to the oldest legal saloon in Washington state.[12]

The North Cascades National Park�with its pristine forests and stunning views�borders to the west.

A smokejumper base is also nearby, located between Winthrop and the nearby town of Twisp.
Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.94 square miles (2.43 km2), all of it land.[1] Winthrop has a lake, called Pearrygin Lake, that is a popular swimming hole as well."

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April 27th, 2013

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