Washington Pass Granite

Nick explores the North Cascades Highway in the shadow of Liberty Bell. The Golden Horn pluton is featured. Filmed on September 20 and 21, 2021.

[@baseballhaha]

Nick, I truly hope you can look back at what’ve you accomplished here and smile. In almost every video someone recognizes you. All these people, whether it be through KZbin, CWU, or PBS found a love for geology. And you’re the man to thank for that.

[@sirdudeness1386]

AMEN!!!

[@daytonlights-peterwine468]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@alwayscurious1518]

Beautiful! Is there a “Nick’s Guide to a Geology Road Trip of the Pacific NW?”

[@peacenow4456]

You're beloved, you big knucklehead! OMG I'm so glad you stopped! No words... just wonderfully beautiful!

[@liliannison6262]

Many thanks for your magnificent and instructive hikes, in the harsh and sumptuous landscapes of Washington State! And bravo for the spirit of friendship and sharing that we find in all your videos. Un grand merci pour vos randonnées magnifiques et instructives, dans les paysages rudes et somptueux de l'État de Washington ! Et bravo pour l'esprit d'amitié et de partage que nous retrouvons dans toutes vos vidéos.

[@janetanderson3773]

Reminds me of the High Sierras - a bunch. I spent many a happy time walking, camping, fishing, and just basking in those gorgeous mountains. Those peaks look like Mt. Whitney.

[@mikekirk1513]

This region of the North Cascades is just incredibly rugged and awesome to see. Thanks for showing this Nick.

[@szaboaz]

Legend has it that if you go out to nature in the North West, you might just catch a glimpse of the elusive Nick Zentner, a one-of-a-kind, friendly geologist, who will make your soul all emotional by being there as a fellow human being to share this beautiful world with. He is also known to be willing to shout out your instagram or youtube channel, lol.

[@biffnarzilla4649]

Whatever CWU pays Nick Zentner, it's not enough. His wife is a saint to put up with a guy who not only commandeers both their back yard and their front porch but also countless trips into the field... all in the pursuit of bringing an education to the great unwashed masses of the InterThingy in general and EweToob in particular. I've learned more from Nick in one year than four years of off-and-on-again college-level geology courses. In my years in college, I can count on one hand the number of instructors of Nick's caliber that I had the great fortune of experiencing. Would that our general education system were flooded with people of his quality... people who not only have a sincere interest in their field but also a genuine desire to bring that interest to others - "townies" and students alike.

[@michellewelch6013]

This is fabulous! I grew up in Newhalem and Diablo, 18 years there and I have never been on that path. Thank you for showing me why I need to get back up there.

[@myersred8]

"ok i'm doin it for me too..." HAHAHA! That is the kind of detail that makes this show so exquisite!

[@steveegbert7429]

I love that overlook at Washington Pass, I've been there a couple times. The view back down the valley is a clear example of a classic glacial carved valley. The whole North Cascades is gorgeous country and a photographers paradise for sure! .

[@oneLEADFOOT]

21:00 Liz and Charlie were close family friends for many years and it was a nice surprise to see them again..Charlie is a Really good photographer and I was blessed to get advice from him first hand shooting street photos a decade ago. Oh how time flies. Liz I'm sure the girls miss you ! you were So great with them. Best of luck to you two on your van life adventure.

[@Mk1rceme]

That is why I watch Nicks videos...he makes learning fun.

[@timbush7850]

Looks like lots of improvements on the overlook, from the last time I was there. My Dad brought a flatlander friend from the midwest, up to see that viewpoint. He walked up to the edge, then stepped back holding his chest, hollering "Good Gawd Almighty, Dave! That's kinda boogery!"

[@StereoSpace]

"You tell a story..." I had a physics instructor in high school who taught physics as stories, if you can believe it. He would start each subject with people, often in the 19th or early 20th century, trying to understand some phenomenon. He would explain how the experiments they set up were supposed to work, sometimes they didn't, but how gradually they came to understand how things actually worked by testing various idea and hypotheses. If you can imagine students looking at their schedules and saying, "Oooohhh, physics next!". We looked forward to his class. He had a Masters in physics, and had the ability to explain a phenomenon from various angles and ways of looking at and thinking about it. He was a great teacher.

[@daytonlights-peterwine468]

If we had more science teachers like your physics instructor and Nick, we'd have a much better crop of scientists. So many get turned off so early, that they never find out how cool this stuff is until years later...

[@jamieingels1190]

I wonder if we had the same physics teacher 🤔 He also wouldn't allow bananas in the classroom.

[@mrtony1985]

I hope one day to meet you as well Nick. Thanks for helping me better understand the beauty of the PNW. I moved here from Wisconsin a few years ago because of the beauty. To understand how it came to be through your geological lessons has been such a blessing. Thank you

[@sheik9956]

no better way to start my mornings than to come to your great youtube library and picking one of your fantastic geology stories to calm my mind to.

[@margreetanceaux3906]

The people on the overlook-point are so right, Nick: you do make learning fun! And you had me laughing out loud at the idea that you arranged for these admirers to be there 🙌🏼

[@Vickie-Bligh]

I've always loved Washington Pass. The terrain and the rocks are gorgeous. Love it even more. And Nick? If I ever saw you I would stop and thank you just like these people did. Thanks for adding to my own education.

[@bernadettelamarca591]

You're really popular, Nick! Everywhere you go, people recognize you. Awesome!

[@MrLeatherman23]

I agree. I kind of wish he would put their websites in here... or, the people he talks to put their links in here when they read these.

[@ACheshireCat2001]

@@MrLeatherman23 websites mentioned could be searched for and put in these comments by commenters or the people get filmed an know Nick could post their sites here when they find the video... adding fan websites to the related Nick videos would be nice to see.

[@luckylady7542]

Everbody knows Nick. Let me rephrase this...everybody loves Nick. Thanks man for the adventures.❤

[@kennyw871]

Needless to say you could spend a lifetime exploring the North Cascades National Park and Pasayten Widerness. But, what you can see from the highway lookouts alone is just a sample of the stunning vistas that abound in the area. Great video Nick thanks.

[@leestamm3187]

So true. My younger self spent 30 years hiking and backpacking both slopes of the North Cascades. Mind-altering panoramas aplenty. These days, Washington Pass will have to do, not that I'm not complaining.

[@johnbazaar8440]

You’re more of a celebrity than you realize. Thanks for what you do. John

[@TheRiehlThing42]

I love that wide peak. I drove that highway several years ago, hoping to get the bright blue Lake Diablo view, but went at the wrong time of year. The rest of the highway was so beautiful and very much worth it. Went to Leavenworth from Seattle via highway 20. I took some photos along there. Then one day, saw that Windows has that peak on their login screens sometimes. I was like, "hey, I've been there!" Thank you for the educational videos.

[@travis303]

Nick, that must have made you feel good. That had to have been the highest compliment a teacher can receive, to meet a former student who still talks about how much they learned from you and are now out applying that knowledge on their own in their spare time. Wonderful.

[@robertdiehl1281]

Thanks for taking us along. This was enjoyable. The fall colors are an added bonus. Really rugged beauty to that area.

[@danulinski8914]

Nick - Climbers Know what you were looking at time 14:32 - That is the Wine Spires and Silver Star. Very Popular Climbing in the WA Pass Area. The ridge to the right of silver star is the snagtooth ridge. Where you are parked is about where the climbers park to hike up a "climbers trail" to gain access to the spires.

[@lidrec]

Thankyou Nick., I have lived in Anacortes all my life and made my first trip over the passed when it first open. That trip clicked on the light that Geology was in my blood. I'm 60 yrs old and hope to take the time to make the trip once again with the knowledge you have handed to me .Your videos are awesome and so educational. Please don't stop and maybe someday I would get to meet you out and about....thankyou !

[@susansquibb5216]

Beautiful views. Can't believe how recognizable you are. My husband says you are a true "rock star"!

[@kyleroth1025]

Thank you Professor Zentner for showing us another pluton invasion. Plutons brought the zircon with them.

[@JenniferLupine]

Beautiful weather up at Washington Pass! Very impressive Goldenhorn Batholith! You got the light just right in the afternoon, then the next morning. It’s inspiring to follow along with you as you look at the mountains and rocks, and explain what we’re seeing- I feel like I’m there with you. Super fun to meet friends along the way too 😉😁 Thanks for showing the books you use. 👌 I’m really looking forward to your next geology series! 👍💛💛💛

[@shannonreynolds4423]

Liz and Charley echo my sentiments about you Professor Nick...keep being you. We love YOU!!!

[@gregpaull9768]

That is a stunning view mate! So glad that you decided to stop and have a look. 😉

[@barbarasmoody680]

nice steady cam work, Nick! we appreciate the slow pans and the upclose zooms.

[@jeffmyers7062]

Nick That hammer is a tire bead breaker for tires !! Probably from a tire service call on that road !

[@oldgandy5355]

Keep an ear out for some muffler boys. Washington Pass and the North Cascade Highway area is one of my favorite places to be. That big hammer makes my hands Thor just thinking about it. Nick, you are an inspiration to many people. Thank you.

[@pollyb.4648]

I love how famous Professor Zentner has become! What a great educator!

[@guiart1553]

Beautiful…Highway 20..You gotta love it!!!!

[@mohammadlevy9668]

This place is absolutely beautiful. After watching your videos, my wife and I are definitely planning to come up to Washington for a solid visit. We are old, but energetic. So we will also try to volunteer a bit.

[@SCW1060]

With scenes like this is why love Geology and Washington state. I was born here and will die here. I think that Central Washington has the best scenery of our State. Thank you for more A-Z lessons Nick. You can bank on me watching everyone of them

[@brat1925]

Hwy 20 is my FAVORITE drive! I love Liberty Bell and that view into the valley is amazing!!!

[@rozswartzett180]

How gorgeous is the golden horn batholith? Amazing!

[@keviny1936]

We missed you by a day, Sunday on Washington Pass was not as sunny. Thanks for the video.

[@phil4341]

The hammer looks to me like the ones they use to break the bead on big truck tires.

[@pricehouston6952]

Can confirm.

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

Looks like something Bob Ross painted. Bob Ross channel is my second favorite KZbin channel.

[@glennkirchens7970]

If those were paid actors, they were expensive. You either won the lottery or your influence through your heart to teach has transcended to a place that you are feeling the feedback when not expecting it. Thank you for what you do.

[@gordonormiston3233]

Another great video with superb panoramas . I’ve finally figured out what is so interesting about a lot of the scenery of Washington that Nick shows us . The big difference from a lot of Scottish scenery is in the vegetation cover. Here at home most of the ground is covered by grass, heathers and ferns and bushes of gorse and stuff whereas in the North West there is a great deal of bare rock amongst the trees. I love it !

[@herbertbates4655]

Same complaint here in the Northeastern US. Not surprising since Scotland and the Northeast have some considerable chunks of geologic history in common - until that pesky Atlantic Ocean opened up.

[@ACheshireCat2001]

I get the impression that much of Scottish vegetation was affected by the choice to bring in sheep... the history of castle building and an effort to limit the ability to build... castles and ships... I have seen a video of a trebuchet built with a large Douglas fir that was grown in Scotland... Douglas fir is native to the Pacific Northwest and now it is cultivated around the world and gets huge... Saw a canoeing video up the loch that is in that rift valley (Loch Ness) and the hills look very PNW in cover as to green... A difference in the amount of human choices and the amount of time industrial humans have been making those choices... West of the Cascades and East of the Cascades vary a lot in the levels of vegetation the rain/rain shadow allows to grow... a lot of the land privately owned / publicly managed in Western Washington is oriented toward lumber production...

[@sabrstravels6815]

I remember stopping at that outcrop earlier this summer as I had to leave Washington before I could fully explore the area. Clearly the Washington Pass overlook is a key place that I didn't have time to see and wow I wish I'da had time to stop - I drove about 400 miles that day from Washington pass to the edge of the craton when I could have spent a couple weeks in the area easy. Nick has just reminded me why I have to return to WA next year.

[@lizj5740]

Hi, Sabr. I hope we "see" you in the next A-Z series.

[@sabrstravels6815]

@@lizj5740 count on it

[@myersred8]

Absolutely breathtaking.

[@markbates3180]

The hammer is for busting split rim wheels on trucks and trailers

[@glenncourtney4876]

A duckbill hammer, used to break the bead. Big rig had a flat and the tire guy forgot this after changing the tire.

[@dennisrogers8107]

@@glenncourtney4876 My thought exactly. I was raised in a family Goodyear dealer business. Did many of those road calls myself.

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

You have fans all over the place. Loved by many.

[@tgmccoy1556]

Only another geologist can pick up that hammer ⚒️😁.

[@miqsh70]

It looks pretty old!

[@dennisrogers8107]

That sure looks to me like a tire hammer. The flat side is for breaking truck tires lose from the wheel. Family owned & operated a Goodyear store for decades. In my younger years I used those on a daily basis. Some service guy forgot a tool on a road service call?

[@jkgardner1933]

Great job on the video Nick. You love people and they love you. We now know why you went to the Craters of the Moon early, too many fans would "swarm" you for autographs. My wife and I traveled over the North Cascade Hwy 35 yrs ago... now we will have to go again, we miss that great view point, and that great Golden Horn pluton....

[@seriouslyreally5413]

You're well known around these parts Nick.😎🥸 KZbin celebrity!

[@gagarinone]

Thanks from Sweden, for sharing the beautiful nature, your adventures, and knowledge.

[@FiddleyBits]

GLORIOUS!!! I gotta get up there!! Thank you "Mr. Famous wherever he goes'!! ;-)

[@karlschupp8552]

Thank you Nick for taking me along (with the video's)! As a flat lander living east of Louisville KY, I can't experience any of the great geology and mountain vista's you have there. I do love them though and greatly appreciate the time and effort you give to take me there through your video's!!! Thank you so so much.....

[@katf6534]

Thank you, this video makes it so much easier to make sense of this book. That hammer is probably from someone following the same exact guide book as you

[@carolwillett5495]

The fans are correct. You have earned all this respect from us Nick!

[@JOltmann0789]

Nick you're a celebrity to us. I hope to run into you one day. Safe travels 😁

[@donnacsuti4980]

😆 🤣 😂 LOL love your comment on "prearranged meetups" but really so many of us watch your site and feel like your a friend. Once I was at Oregon Caves and ran into one of my best friends unexpectedly and my travel companion thought I must know everyone ( we're from California). Wow that trail had some beautiful views and interesting geology. I hadn't heard of this place but definitely worth seeing. Thank you for taking us there

[@brandonjohnston7746]

Brother your so well known around the world you deserve so much more spotlight than u get, you've taught me and so many thousands of others so much, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you truly are the greatest geology professor that's ever lived, your the best nick

[@robertkeenan7530]

Amazing scenery. Mr. Popular.

[@MrFmiller]

Thank Goodness! Another Nick series! I’m a ‘holic (Nickholic, Geoholic, Rockholic, whatever…). I doubt that anyone has watched more of the Nick videos than I have unless they found one hiding under a rock. I doubt that though, I think I’ve looked under all of them.

[@alanharwood1636]

"it doesn't get much better than this" .... i'll second that.

[@mikaellevander786]

Rapakivi is common here in Finland ... it's used to explain granite that crumbles into small pieces when weathered. Rapakivi is Finnish word meaning crumbled rock. We have several large granite areas over 1.5 billion years old

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

That’s not what Rapakivi means in this context. “Rapakivi texture is developed in granitic rocks, and involves the mantling of alkali feldspar ovoids by a rim of plagioclase, usually of oligoclase composition, together with the growth of two generations of both alkali feldspar and quartz.”

[@mikaellevander786]

@@BlGGESTBROTHER en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapakivi_granite

[@ianlejeune6012]

Shaky Melbourne here. V stoked about getting back to business with the A-Z format. I and, clearly, many others are deeply grateful for your drive and dedication to transmit your knowledge and insights into the aether to help us understand science and walking around. Thanks muchly.

[@philodendron6]

Great pedagogical skills, a born teacher... From years of teaching, no doubt😁. Always a joy to view. Salutations from Éire.

[@dianerossetti3245]

On man, I hope the border will be open next year so I can come see that beautiful country. Thanks for another lovely virtual hike.

[@dweathers56b]

Beautiful scenes, thanks for sharing.

[@geoffgeorges]

Fun to see this, so funny that everyone knows you! I love that area and have climbed most of what you are showing, Liberty bell many times from all sides. On your first day you zoomed in to the east- the Wine spires, burgundy, Chianti etc, Silver star .

[@brianlhughes]

Those sheets would make some good fireplace rock. We did an astronomy field trip on the highway 20 pass, I saw the ring nebula through a Celestron 8".

[@nevyen149]

Granite is *terrible* for that, it falls apart a bit more with each fire.

[@brianlhughes]

@@nevyen149 It would be outside dressing and shouldn't get too hot but I get you. Do they make countertops out of it? My grandpa bought slabs of stone that is quarried near Grand Coulee dam, not sure what kind of stone it is.

[@nevyen149]

@@brianlhughes They do make countertops, but I'd bet there's a prolonged heat warning. Regardless, even a countertop which can take a hot pot isn't the same thing as a stone in a fire place or camp fire ring. Trust me, from experience, granite will not take repeated fires. We had a fire ring against a granite boulder, and over the course of a few years, it slowly disintegrated.

[@VegasC63]

Nick, I don't know how you are able to TOP yourself with these wonderful places you take us to. Washington Pass is an amazing place, now I have to come up to Washington.

[@dadskrej5226]

Great views, Nick! Spent 35 years playing on Hwy 20 in the Winter, and Summer, too. My ex-wife lived in Mt. Vernon and she used to tell me of riding dirt bikes over N. Cascades Hwy in the late '60s when it was a new dirt road. Did you know...the original path of the highway was east from Marblemount up and over and down to Lake Chelan? All was good until the engineers couldn't find a way down to Chelan from the top. It's another nice drive up to the top from Marblemount. Keep up the great videos!

[@sharonhoward4957]

My favorite hiking area! Glad you finally got to see it. This made me get out my Roadside geology book. Thanks!

[@jonnywatts2970]

So cool that you're touching people in a way they remember! Love you Nick!

[@julicaru4812]

Love every video, learning so much from a great teacher, thrilled to learn of another set of videos coming, this ageing student thanks you so much , love you too all the best Jules

[@reginebellefontaine4936]

I enjoy all of your videos, Nick, but I have to say, this one is absolutely gorgeous. What a stunning view offers the Golden Horn Batholith ! Thank you for sharing this with us. It left me greedy for more, impatient to learn with you on the future livestream, and in the mean time I am going to read what Michael Eddy has to say about the crazy Eocene plutons...

[@richardbatistelli7280]

Again, I enjoyed our travels together. Meeting new friends and viewing beautiful places that I otherwise would never have the opportunity to see.Thanks for your energy and knowledge. Richard from HB, SoCal.

[@avenillacastienkersteter8283]

No I can’t because of the steps, when you are in a wheelchair you can’t do steps at all unless you spend a massive fortune. Thank you for taking me there again. I used to hike so much before my accident. Thank you, thank you for taking me back there!

[@turnerg]

Washington Pass is my favorite place in Washington, second is the Hoh Rain Forest.

[@fuzzie1956]

Thanks again Nick. Greats news on the new video series.

[@lindsaymalone9371]

The Washington Pass Overlook is not to be overlooked! Thank you for the close-up views of the Burgundy Spires and Vasiliki Ridge (a Fred Beckey favorite). Bonus that this is an exceptional accessible place! There are so many amazing places to be in WA and everywhere, it's not possible to have been all places. Watching this had the theme song from Cheers running through my mind.

[@seanchinn2626]

Once again, it's hammer time! Thank you, Nick!

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

You can't touch this.

[@Rachel.4644]

I'm thrilled to see this via your experience! At 27.57, wished I'd had you with, two weeks ago when I was right there on the pass, and the Blue Lake trail, etc. So happy!! You are gracious, meeting folks who are fans. And, a new series to anticipate! Joygiver! Thank you! ❤

[@Demobius]

One of my favorite ways to cross the Cascades. The Needles at Rainy Pass are incredible, plus there's the Mt. Baker National Park and Mt. Shuksan.

[@terripackard9292]

I am so stoked hearing the official announcement of your new A-Z series! You definitely are becoming a recognizable public figure through your different lecture series. I also noticed you were having a lot of fun on the second pop up show. Thank you for doing these hike videos. The scenery is gorgeous, especially in this video.

[@mardinecampbell2870]

I’ve never been to that outlook. On my list now. Learned a lot. And I can hardly wait for the next A to Z! Thanks, Nick.

[@chuckrann6282]

Thanks Nick. Beautiful scenery. So amusing to see so many people recognize you... mostly because you tell such a great story about the rocks. Look forward to more this fall.

[@dashdotdot]

Too bad Nick's former student doesn't have a youtube account! Would love to see his footage. What a great coincidence! This one has some great moments in it. Thanks.

[@daytonlights-peterwine468]

He does have an Instagram account, though: instagram.com/northwestviews/

[@dashdotdot]

@@daytonlights-peterwine468 Yeah, but I avoid using anything associated with Facebook. Thanks though.

[@Allanrosenducat]

Nick your in-the-field videos are wonderful. I was awestruck when you walked out onto the Washington Pass observation area. Monumental megalithic landforms, amazing. Thank you,

[@BGraves]

Our very own celebrity, Nick Zentner. He probably doesn't have to make reservations at restaurants anymore!

[@richardbatistelli7280]

If you do not mind the comparison, Nick reminds me of Huell Howser, SoCal’s much loved local historian of people, places, and things California, “California Gold”. So folksy and the friend you miss because time and place.

[@Gregory47342]

Wow what a coincidence meeting Rene your former student flying a drone. Great video.

[@kimdenn2987]

Nice

[@randycnc]

I was up there last year on a road trip. I took some sample of granite. I now know what type it is! I think you stopped at the parking lot where I got it from.

[@donnacsuti4980]

Starting to get some nice autumn colors, very pretty

[@rongaul8169]

WOW! That is BEAUTIFUL.

[@laureneolsen8624]

Thank you Nick for a wonderful show. I loved that you ran into those admirers. I wish we had been there too. It’s great to hear that you’re going to do another A to Z. Can’t wait!

[@audreynims4940]

What a fantastic share! I have explored much of Washington also, but have never been here...YET. Thank you. You are FANtastic. We know you don't need to summon followers.

[@woofydoggie]

Always great learning and content!

[@leggiemeggie5837]

Thanks for sharing these!! I really enjoy them!! 😁👍

[@ranchzilla]

I just drove over the pass this morning! Thank you Nick for these videos