A new and soft covering of snow in a relatively safe wilderness place can be an inspiring experience to have. The landscape entirely changes in character and appearance. The wilderness beauty before you takes a different shape and feel as compared to prior seasons.
Snowfall
Winter rivers in Yosemite are often frozen and slow moving. Except when heavy rains come and the river runs high and fast. As demonstrated by the flooding in 1997 that wiped out a camp ground, bridges and other features in the park.
Winter River
Where the granite once was can spark imagination and wonder. Imagine that boulders, stones, rocks, and terrain at the highest elevations were once below the surface of the earth, or much lower before rising to the heights we now see.
Ancient Granite
While from above this Sierra canyon doesn’t appear all that significant, one must have a sense of proportion to compare by. This Kings River fork which cuts in three directions is the deep and lasting impression made. Replenished and nurtured by storms, snowfall and rainfall, this canyon’s slopes remain more vegetated as compared to the Eastern side of the Sierra range.
Deep Canyon
When you see a “V” shaped valley, that normally means the landscape was carved by a river that runs through it. As compared to a “U” shaped valley, which was formed by a glacier. The length of time for the land to form by the force of water is very long and the depression left all the way to lower elevations is unmistakable.
Carved Valley
After a while, the trail you’re on can become hidden or less obvious to follow. When that happens, I generally mark where I am at and begin to explore around to see if it becomes obvious again. That comes with more risk, but it generally works great before I have to give up on the trail completely.
This is a photo I took of Castle Rock with the midday sun bearing upon it. After taking some more advanced lessons in Photoshop, I learned how to paint with light. That is what it took to say something visually more than what the harsh light washed out. Not completely satisfied with the results, but it is a learning experience nonetheless. I am getting better at handling my images with light and color composition.
At first look, you might think that the gold horizon is a reflection of the sun off the surface of the earth. When actually, this gold horizon is the Pacific ocean reflecting the sun as it sets in the West. There are several horizontal lines in this view I took from atop of a mountain.
Two are the ridgelines of mountain crests before me. The second is the storm clouds above. The next is the Pacific coastline. Then the horizon beyond the ocean. Thereafter the higher clouds in the distance.
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