Mt. Stuart and the Enchantment Mountains framed by golden Northern Larch trees. North Central Washington, October 20, 2019.

Northern larch is one of only two conifers in North America that drops its needles in the fall. Its needles turn bright gold before falling. When wind blows, it creates a golden path. I look forward to Golden Week each year.

In Washington State, Northern Larch grows on north-facing, eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains between 3,000 and 9,000 feet elevation.

Hikers from Seattle come to Eastern WA to see Golden Week. "Where are the golden Larch trees?" they ask. "Just walk 1/4 mile uphill and turn left at the trail junction."

I took these photos with my Sony digital camera that I always carry on hikes. My smartphone excels at closeups, not landscapes.