While the rest of the country sweats, here in Washington all we have to do to cool off is go higher. Instant spring: just add altitude.

A hike to Olallie Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness brought the reward of not only the picture perfect lake, but a rewind of spring, hiking through trillium, skunk cabbage and twigs just breaking bud.

Skunk cabbage is a harbinger of spring… unless you head up to Snoqualmie Pass, where you can see them in mid-July! I photographed this beauty in the swampy areas along the trail to Olallie Lake.

Just as fresh and beautiful and evocative in their spring-rewind appeal were the trillium. There were several nice stands along the trail to enjoy.

Pink trillium is always something special… but then, so is white.