Roads

First Signs Of Winter?

In the upper elevations of Southern Utah, winter has made an early entrance. Luckily, I live in the lower elevations. But I received a slap in the face when I drove to the upper elevations on Thursday (Elevation-8 to 9,000 feet). The leaves have disappeared from the aspens and snow was abundant. Still a good photo op.

Fresh snow has fallen in an Aspen Tree Forest In The Southern Utah High Country.

Death Valley’s Panamint Valley

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks

Another large valley at Death Valley National Park is Panamint Valley. It is 65 miles long and up to 10 miles wide and stretches from Panamint Dunes, located inside the park, to the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Center. It is also home to the Barker Ranch, infamous as the temporary home of the Charles Manson gang in the late 1960s.

The wide expanse and elevation changes are the predominant features at Panamint Valley at Death Valley National Park, California — Wide expanses and elevation changes are the predominant features at Panamint Valley. That’s snow-covered Telescope Peak, at 11,043 feet, the highest point in Death Valley NP.

Wide Valleys and tall mountain peaks are the predominate features at Death Valley National Park, California — The main road meanders through the valley and has some incredible elevation changes.

Panamint Dunes were formed when high winds forced sand into the north end of Panamint Valley at Death Valley National Park, California — Panamint Dunes was formed when high winds forced sand into the north end of Panamint Valley.

Brightly colored Zinc Hill in the Argus Range at Death Valley Natioal Park, California — Brightly colored Zinc Hill in the Argus Range.

Autumn Has Made An Appearance In Southern Utah

In The Country, Photography, Seasons, Utah

This is the first in a series of posts capturing the fall colors in Southern Utah. Because of the elevation changes in Southern Utah, autumn schedules its arrival at various times. Just north of Zion National Park is Kolob Terrace and the Markagunt Plateau where elevations vary from 7,000 to to 10,000 feet. By the first week of November, autumn will show up at the 4,000 foot level at Zion National Park.

This post shows peak autumn colors at Kolob Terrace where pastureland borders Aspen forests.

Up On Kolob Terrace

In The Country, Utah

In the high country of Southern Utah exist acres and acres of forests and pastures. Yesterday was a good day to beat the high heat (100 degrees F) at the lower elevations and garner some good photos from here and at Cedar Breaks National Monument(Pics to follow).