The Beauty of a PNW Sunset

By Kassidy Malcolm kmalcolm9@gmail.com 509-260-0291

If you have ever been to the PNW before, you had to of noticed the amazing sunsets there. If not a fiery red, they almost always are a cotton candy color with small hints of pink and purple pastel colors.

They're breathtaking to say the least. Especially during the Spring and Summer time.

I was lucky enough to grow up in the small town of Cle Elum, WA for the first half of my life. I have lived in Ellensburg, WA since then. Ever since I was a little girl, the colors in the sky always seemed to fascinate me.

How does it get so pink? Why does it get pink? Why is the sky pink some nights and purple others?

A breathtaking view capturing the Stuart Range in Ellensburg, WA.

“Because the sun is low on the horizon, sunlight passes through more air at sunset and sunrise than during the day, when the sun is higher in the sky. More atmosphere means more molecules to scatter the violet and blue light away from your eyes. If the path is long enough, all of the blue and violet light scatters out of your line of sight. The other colors continue on their way to your eyes. This is why sunsets are often yellow, orange, and red" says Science Daily.

This is so fascinating to me and I will alway be amazed by the colors of the sky.

It was something and still is something, that takes my breathe away every time I look at a sunset.

That's why I'm here to tell you, you must come visit and see these sunsets in person!

PNW Sunsets

My favorite place to watch the sunset is up in the mountains and what better place then WA to do so?

Enjoy a pastel sunset in the Upper Green Canyon in the Reecer just North of Ellensburg, WA.

Just about any town offers some sort of mountain top you can drive to the top of and watch a sunset. This image above happens to be just North of Ellensburg. There is nothing quiet like it.

Taking the back road to Cle Elum, WA. during sunset is always a good idea. Back roads provide beautiful scenery in any direction you're heading.

Taking the back roads in WA is a must, especially during golden hour. I mean come on, look at this image to the left.

It's too beautiful to pass up.

This image was taken on a back road to Cle Elum, WA, which is about a 30 minute drive from Ellensburg.

Moments like these have the power to make us stop and thank Mother Nature for creating such a magical atmosphere.

The beauty of a sunset is that each and every one of them are different. None of them are the same and that's a beautiful thing.

Cirrus clouds fill the sky during sunset giving off vibrant pink colors in Cle Elum, WA. Winning.

They are a promise for another day and hold endless possibilities for what that day could bring.

The sun sets over Mount Olympus as Cumulus clouds start to roll over the Mountain.

Further South in WA, Mount Olympus, standing 7,980 feet, is the tallest mountain in the Olympic Mountains of Western Washington state. It is located on the Olympus peninsula and is the central feature of the Olympic State Park.

Image watching the sunset from up here? Astonishing.

Lenticular clouds form on top of Mt. Rainer during sunset in WA.

Lenticular clouds are saucer-shaped clouds that form when moist air is pushed over large obstructions. Being the tallest mountain the the Cascade Range, Mt. Rainier is an amazing place to look at these unique clouds.

Even if you're not into clouds like these, it's still a great view to watch a beautiful sun set over Mt. Rainier.

The next time you're in the mood to experience something shockingly beautiful that will stop you in your tracks, think about taking a trip to Washington to experience the great outdoors and the amazing sunsets.

About the Writer

My name is Kassidy Malcolm and I was born and raised in Cle Elum, WA. After ten amazing years growing up in Cle Elum camping, boating at the lake and listening to Tom Petty in the backyard, my family decided to move to Ellensburg, WA. There I learned how to play every sport you can think of because that was basically all there was to do! Throughout highschool, I played volleyball and basketball, forever thinking sports were life. I continued to play into college and I still am playing basketball at Central Washington University. But, as I roll into my junior year in college, I still am unsure where my future lays. And I have finally come to terms with that fact that that is okay. Although, I am majoring in public relations and minoring in photography, I have no idea yet where I want my life to take me and that's okay! I'm hopeful that my future will take me to places all over the world, experiencing different cultures and seeing beautiful places along the way, capturing every moment I can with my camera. Whether it's hanging out with loved ones, traveling the world, going on hikes, listening to some good music or simply watching a breathtaking sunset, you will always find me grateful for this beautiful life I live.

- Kassidy Malcolm