Crystal Lake in the Enchantments, Washington, United States Sep 3, 2024

Pictured in today"s image, Crystal Lake is in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, United States. The Enchantments is more than 24 kilometres southwest of the charming Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth. It"s considered one of the Cascade Range"s most stunning areas. The Enchantments is home to more than 700 lakes and ponds and some of the best rock climbing in the Western United States. It"s also home to mountain goats, ptarmigan, pikas and numerous types of alpine flowers. If you want to see Alpine Lakes Wilderness yourself, however, be prepared to wait. Few permits are granted for day hikes, and of the 40,000 people who entered last year"s lottery for overnight permits, only 2,558 received one.

© Mitch Pittman/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Sep 3, 2023Skyscrapers in Manhattan
A pair of high achievers
Sep 3, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 27, 2024Lake Bled, Slovenia
May 7, 2024A duckling swimming in a water meadow, Suffolk, England
Beauty all around
Im ready for my close-up, Mr. DeSquirrel
Sep 2, 2024Rhino mother and calf, Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Dad on duty
Aug 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Fragrant fields as far as the eye can see
Family on parade
Nov 26, 2025Olive orchard in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Back to the future
Misty mountain hop
Sep 9, 2025A female Eurasian red squirrel, Switzerland
A labyrinth of luxury
Dec 3, 2023Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Stretching to the sky
How’s the air up there?
A glowing square of squares
The lungs of Earth
Pride and Joy
May 6, 2024The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece
Nov 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States
May 29, 20261953 Mount Everest Expedition
Nov 13, 2024Sea lion in a kelp forest, Baja California, Mexico
The ancient ruins of Nalanda
The victory of good over evil
May 4, 2025Mysuru Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka
Jan 11, 2025Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco
Apr 14, 2024Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA