Peaks

Signs Of Spring At San Juan Mountains

Colorado, Rocky Mountains, Seasons, Weather

Near the town of Ridgway, the San Juan Mountains rise sharply into the Colorado skies. Signs of Spring are evolving as seen from Last Dollar Road and Highway 62, west of Ridgway.

Snow lingers during spring time at the San Juan Mountains in Southern Colorado

Mount Sneffels is the highest peak here at 14,158 feet.

Death Valley’s Badwater Basin

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks, Wildlife

Badwater Basin at Death Valley National Park, is a landscape of extremes. Extreme temperatures, extreme elevation changes and extreme dryness. Because the basin is at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level, the average high temperature in July is 116 degrees F. The highest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134 degrees at Death Valley in 1913. Little wonder that I and most others visit during the winter months.

Badwater is surrounded by soaring peaks and eroded sandstone formations. Snow-covered Telescope Peak, standing at 11,049 feet, is quite a contrast to the salt flats at Badwater Basin. The salt flats are approximately 200 square miles in area and are formed when rain flushes minerals from the nearby hills and mountains to the flats of Badwater. The high heat and dryness ( DV only receives 2 inches of moisture annually) evaporates everything except the salt.

A lone coyote at Death Valley's Badwater Basin — You wonder how this lone coyote survives in this environment.

The Majestic Sierra Nevada’s

California

The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is very approachable from Owens Valley. You can drive up to 9,000 feet in elevation and experience the rugged peaks and fresh snow.

Snow and ice closed the Tioga Pass Road, California. I had planned to go over to Yosemite

California’s Owens Valley

California, Photography, Seasons, Sierras

Some autumn images at California’s Owens Valley.

Storm clouds hover over Highway 395 in the Owens Valley, California

Fall colors have arrived at Owens Valley in California — Cottonwood were at peak color.

Owens Valley Cowhides_2704 — Need a cowhide?

The Sierra Nevada Mountains from Owens Valley, California

Owens Valley Bishop _2708 — Cruising through the town of Bishop

Sierras Store Sign_3090 — On the road up to South Lake from Bishop, you can stop here and buy some beer, wine and WORMS !?

Owens Valley Ranch_2313 — Not so inviting ranch

Fresh snow covers the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range as seen from Owens Valley, California

California’s Owens Valley

California, Desert Southwest, Sierras

California’s Owens Valley is home to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range to the west and The White Mountains to the east. Some of the tallest peaks in the country are here. Two weeks ago, a winter storm was blasting through the area and as happens frequently, was unable to move further east to Owens Valley or Death Valley. That’s why these 2 valleys are so dry, especially Death Valley. Located near Lone Pine is the Alabama Hills Recreation Area which is a haven for rock climbers because of the steep and vertical rock formations. The movies Gladiator and Iron Man were partly filmed there along with dozens of others.