Tag Archives: wilderness

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Alpenglow, Ridge and Valley

September 7, 2017 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

The last alpenglow light of the evening comes to an alpine ridge and valley under a cloudy sky, John Muir Wilderness

These backcountry Sierra Nevada photographic expeditions make for long days, though by the end of the summer the sun sets earlier, and we frequently found ourselves in the tent by 8:30 or even earlier. The days start early — up before dawn, and how much before dawn depends on each person’s objective for the “morning shift.” We photograph for a few hours and then the less interesting midday light brings us to a stop — and we reassemble in camp for coffee and breakfast and conversation. Later in the day, perhaps by around 4:00 in the afternoon, it is time to head out once again, this time looking for subjects in evening light.

I made this photograph on one of these evening outings. We had gone to a beautiful meadow at a slightly higher elevation, in a place where the meadow is overlooked by some rocky benches and where views to the open country to the south were alpine and breathtaking. As the evening light came on and the shadows rose up the peaks, I had my eyes on the sun/shadow line as it ascended this hanging valley. Eventually the light lingered momentarily on the highest ridges before it rose to the top of the peaks and disappeared.

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

High Country Meadow and Trail

September 6, 2017 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

A use trail cuts across a subalpine meadow high in the John Muir Wilderness

Earlier this afternoon we left our camp down at a lower lake and headed off into higher country. I followed a use trail up to a moraine ridge, then passed over a section of beautiful meadow with stunning views of surrounding peaks and closer views of late-season wildflowers. From here I simply followed the watershed up the valley a ways until a decent stream crossing presented itself, and from there I wandered across glaciated slabs to the top of a low ridge separating our valley from another containing several lakes.

It was late in the day, so the time available for lingering on the ridge was limited. I soon spotted Patty traversing a lower section of the slabs and I headed down to join her. We continued down to the creek where we had a moment of good light on a small lake before the sun dropped behind a high ridge and left us in shadow. As we continued down the drainage toward that meadow where we started the views to the south opened up and the evening light was still on the ridges. We stopped before descending to the meadow, and from here a narrow trail was visible as it traversed one side of the meadow just below a rocky section filled with old glacial erratics, with a dramatic backdrop of high peaks on the far side of the valley.

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

High Country Meadow, Evening Light

September 5, 2017 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

Late-day light on a stormy evening high in the John Muir Wilderness

For more than the past week, we occupied a Sierra Nevada backcountry landscape full of surprises and riches — more than enough variety of conditions and subjects to keep us busy. A group of eight of us hiked over a 12,000+’ Sierra crest pass (with assistance from pack train support) and set up a base camp from which we set out each day to explore and photograph the spectacular surroundings. The pleasures of such a trip extend beyond photography — to include contemplation of this landscape, occasionally without a camera, and the joy of sharing the high country with a small circle of like-minded friends. This time it was even more special, as Patricia Mitchell returned to the back-country with me for the first time in many years.

I made this photograph on an evening when late day sunlight filled this subalpine meadow and storm clouds cast shadows over the distant peaks. There was a trail to this meadow, but it was hardly necessary, and once in the meadow we were free to explore all of it and the surrounding domes and peaks — which we did on many mornings and evenings. Those with Sierra Nevada high country experience may be surprised that this photograph was made near the end of August when meadows are typically turning golden brown. Last winter’s extraordinary snowfall delayed the onset of summer conditions, and the meadows were still green and wildflowers were everywhere.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Two Trees, Golden Hour

August 21, 2017 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

Two lake-side trees in evening light along the Sierra Nevada crest near the Yosemite boundary

After a day of challenging weather it was a relief to watch the skies clear above this High Sierra lake, leading to an absolutely lovely and benign evening. (The previous evening all of us had been trapped inside tents during a three-hour rain storm.) Our camp was set up, we had eaten dinner, it was quiet and calm, and it was one of those peaceful and quiet Sierra Nevada evenings.

After dinner, eaten on the rocky bench near the bottom of this photograph, I got my equipment and climbed a bit higher, to a point from which all of the lake and its surroundings were visible. To my right was the Sierra crest, and beyond the mountains and valleys of the Yosemite backcountry. Across the lake the trees of a low saddle were picking up the late evening light coming across the tops of those Yosemite ridges.

G Dan Mitchell Photography

Tag Archives: wilderness

Alpenglow, Ridge and Valley

High Country Meadow and Trail

High Country Meadow, Evening Light

Two Trees, Golden Hour

Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.