Tag: snow

Winter Sunrise

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The sunrise after a winter storm often results in beautiful scenery and colors. Low-lying areas may have shallow fog. Mountains may have multiple layers of clouds. All of this is enhanced by the low sun angle as it first rises above the horizon.

Low clouds and fog partially obscure the San Francisco Peaks as the sun rises (24 Jan 2024).
Low clouds and fog partially obscure the San Francisco Peaks as the sun rises (24 Jan 2024).

On the other hand, getting up before sunrise, driving on snow-packed roads, and standing around shooting photos with cold temperatures is a challenge. But the results are often worth the effort. Here are a few sunrise photographs.

Wispy clouds cap the San Francisco Peaks (08 Jan 2024).
Wispy clouds cap the San Francisco Peaks (08 Jan 2024).
First light on some old ranching structures near Mormon Lake (08 Jan 2024).
First light on some old ranching structures near Mormon Lake (08 Jan 2024).
Earth's shadow can be seen behind the San Francisco Peaks in this pre-sunrise image (26 Jan 2024).
Earth’s shadow can be seen behind the San Francisco Peaks in this pre-sunrise image (26 Jan 2024).
Telephoto image of snow and clouds on the San Francisco Peaks (26 Jan 2024).
Telephoto image of snow and clouds on the San Francisco Peaks (26 Jan 2024).
Layers of clouds are draped across Mingus Mountain (03 Feb 2024).
Layers of clouds are draped across Mingus Mountain (03 Feb 2024).

This week should bring lots of snow to northern Arizona. I hope to get some interesting photographs.

 

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

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.

Heading out of Fort Tuthill County Park.
Heading out of Fort Tuthill County Park.
Outside the boundaries of the park are a few small hills that allow us to get in some downhill runs on our skis.
Outside the boundaries of the park are a few small hills that allow us to get in some downhill runs on our skis.
We just go up and down a bunch of times.
We just go up and down a bunch of times.
But first we have to dig ourselves out and clear the driveway. Note that the road is not yet cleared.
But first we have to dig ourselves out and clear the driveway. Note that the road is not yet cleared.
Sidewalk tunnels.
Sidewalk tunnels.
This chart shows that we are having an "Extreme Winter" in Flagstaff.
This chart shows that we are having an “Extreme Winter” in Flagstaff.

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.

Wupatki National Monument with Snow

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.

Sunrise at Wukoki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.
Sunrise at Wukoki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.
Wukoki Pueblo with the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.
Wukoki Pueblo with the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.

After leaving Wukoki Pueblo I went to Lomaki Pueblo.

Lomaki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.
Lomaki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.
Lomaki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument with the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.
Lomaki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument with the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.

And, finally, this tuft of grass with snow.

Tuft of grass with snow.
Tuft of grass with snow.

A Sampling of Recent Winter Photos

Here are some recent photographs of winter scenes in and near Flagstaff.

An early morning photo shoot near Mormon Lake.
An early morning photo shoot near Mormon Lake.

A few nights of sub-zero temperatures provided enough ice for these locals to skate and play hockey on some water detention ponds.

Panorama of the detention pond next to the Sheep Crossing FUTS trail.
Panorama of the detention pond next to the Sheep Crossing FUTS trail.
Panorama of the detention pond north of the Sheep Crossing FUTS trail.
Panorama of the detention pond north of the Sheep Crossing FUTS trail.
Ice hockey on the frozen detention pond.
Ice hockey on the frozen detention pond.

New Years Eve day brought widespread fog and low clouds to the area.

Low clouds and fog in Mormon Lake.
Low clouds and fog in Mormon Lake.
Low clouds and fog on Forest Highway 3.
Low clouds and fog on Forest Highway 3.

There was even enough snow for a bit of cross country skiing at Fort Tuthill County Park.

Skiing of Soldiers Trail at Fort Tuthill County Park.
Skiing of Soldiers Trail at Fort Tuthill County Park.
Snow-covered trees in Fort Tuthill County Park.
Snow-covered trees in Fort Tuthill County Park.
Snow-covered trees in Fort Tuthill County Park.
Snow-covered trees in Fort Tuthill County Park.

More snow is expected later this week…more photos likely.

December at Grand Canyon

Late afternoon light illiminates the canyon walls.
Late afternoon light illiminates the canyon walls.

A low-end winter storm moved across Arizona a few days ago and brought some snow to the higher terrain. Flagstaff only received a trace of snow while locations to the west and northwest received more. With that in mind, we headed to Grand Canyon National Park for some afternoon and sunset photography.

Lipan Point looking to the west.
Lipan Point looking to the west.
Lipan Point looking north.
Lipan Point looking north.

We went to Lipan Point where about 2-3 inches of snow had fallen. The clouds were already clearing and that was a bit disappointing as we had hoped to see the clouds lifting out of the depths of the canyon. There were still plenty of clouds above the canyon rim and the lowering sun resulting in very nice sunset colors on both the clouds and the walls of the canyon.

A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.
A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.
A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.
A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.

We left only moments after sunset since the parking lot and road out of the park were already turning into black ice. Moments later we had dropped enough in elevation that we had dry roads for the drive back home.