There is an ephemeral waterfall in Oak Creek Canyon that only flows after heavy rain fall or while snow is melting. And the snow is melting this week!
An ephemeral waterfall in Oak Creek Canyon.
Warm temperatures will persist for several more days so the flow should continue and perhaps even increase in volume.
This has been an exceptional winter for snowfall. Currently, we are in the top 10 for all-time snowfall amounts and we still have a month (or more) to go. This much snow brings a lot of work clearing the driveway, sidewalks, and even the roof.
But there is an upside and we get to ski. An earlier post showed a day spent on the San Francisco Peaks. There are also some nice trails and small hills closer to our home and we have found ourselves skiing this gentle terrain several times this winter.
This chart shows that we are having an “Extreme Winter” in Flagstaff.
Fortunately, we are experiencing a break in the winter storm pattern and the warm temperatures are melting the snow. But it will take time.
There was a full Moon this past weekend (05 February 2023) and we decided it would be fun to spend a few days at Grand Canyon and do some photography and hiking.
We arrived in the early afternoon at the East Entrance to avoid the possible long lines at the more popular South Entrance. Our first stop was at Desert View because I wanted to take some updated photos of the interior of the Desert View Watchtower. First attempts were with a 24mm wide angle but it was not wide enough. So, back to the car to get the 17–35mm ultra-wide lens.
For the Moonrise we went to the Visitors Center parking area and walked along the Rim Trail to capture the nearly-full Moon rising over the North Rim. Unfortunately, distant high clouds prevented seeing the Moon until it was well above the horizon. No matter, it was still very nice. While waiting for the Moon, I shot photos of hikers ascending the South Kaibab Trail near the Ooh-Aah Viewpoint with the late afternoon sun illuminating the rock faces.
The following day also included a photoshoot of the rising Moon but we had plenty of time before that and found ourselves hiking down Bright Angel Trail. The trail was covered in packed snow and foot traction was helpful. We opted to only hike down as far as 1½ Mile Rest House before returning. I didn’t time the descent but the return ascent was 57 minutes. Not too bad for 1.5 miles and 1120′ vertical gain.
The Moonrise photography went well with the Moon rising in the notch between Cape Royal on the North Rim and Wotans Throne in the Canyon.
The following morning we arose early to see the sunrise from Hopi Point. With the passage of a weak cold front during the night I was hoping for some dramatic clouds. Nope. Nothing. Clear skies but there was the setting Moon in the west. As a consolation I got early morning light on the Tower of Set and Horus Temple.
There was plenty of snow in January and some events produced snow at lower elevations — including Wupatki National Monument. So I found myself at the monument in time for sunrise one morning. There was less snow that I hoped to see but still enough to add some drama to the ancient pueblos in the park.
After leaving Wukoki Pueblo I went to Lomaki Pueblo.
And, finally, this tuft of grass with snow.
We have had snow–lots of snow–this month. After one of these events we headed for the San Francisco Peaks and some backcountry skiing. Fortunately for us, there were skiers ahead of us and the track up the trail was already well established. Thanks!
We arrived at the bottom of “Flying Dutchman” to ski the powder–but clearly we were not the first as there were many tracks already carved into the area. Years ago we were often the only skiers here and put down first tracks. Those idyllic days of the past are long gone.
The rime-ice and snow-covered trees were really amazing and the deep powder skiing was great fun. Blue skies. Light winds. What’s not to like?