Second Beach at the Olympic Coast

We took this sunset picture 4 years ago in June 2012 at Second Beach, a rather small sandy bay with a couple of sea stacks and a natural arch. Albeit its rather lousy name, it is definitely one of those very special places that makes a photographer's heart beat faster and jump with joy - almost each time you are there! Only two years before we took this image of Second Beach (awarded at the Glanzlichter 2011).

It was one of those totally cloudy and foggy days for which the Pacific Northwest is famous (besides the "out of a fairytale" scenary of course! ;-) ). And there was not much hope while we were driving down Hwy 110 towards La Push up to the trailhead (it is located on the left hand side of the road about 13,5 miles from the small town of Forks and 1,9 mi before you reach La Push).

We were the only ones running down (we are always in a hurry! ;-) ) to the beach that evening and heading obviously towards much deeper fog, since all the other people were leaving and shaking their heads. But somehow we didn't turn around, probably that kind of "sixth sense" that something great was about to happen. And as soon as we left the forest after 1,1 km we realized that we were there just right in time. For a short moment only, the clouds opened up a little bit, and all suddenly a beam appeared right through the arch. What a fantastic sunset! It lasted but 5 minutes; after that the sun disappeared and the big show was over again.

Image data: 4 s at f/16, ISO 100; Canon EF 16-35mm 1:2.8 L II USM at 19 mm, Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Related Links: Here you will find the official trail description to Second Beach; Wilderness Camping Permits for overnight stays can be otained at the Wilderness Information Center.
And click here if you want to see more of our "Seascape" images from the Pacific Northwest.