Weatherscapes

Rugged mountains, jumbled boulders, and blue sky.  That describes the Alabama Hills in a nutshell, at least on my visit there.  I’d wanted to visit this place for quite a while, and I finally did so.  The area did not disappoint.

This was a stop on the way home from Death Valley, but looking back, I should’ve spent another day here.  There were so many photo opportunities that beckoned.  This area, near the town of Lone Pine, CA, was a backdrop for many western movies.  One look at it and you can see why.

Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous US, is the biggest draw, with Lone Pine Peak just to the south.  These jagged, gray peaks contrast starkly with the round, brown granite boulders of the Alabama Hills.  It makes for wonderful photography, and for just sitting out and enjoying nature.

Visit my Alabama Hills gallery for more.

Death Valley – these two words, when used together, inspire images of hot, barren desert, no water, sand, and, well, death. And did I mention no water?

However, this place has a beauty that is unparalleled anywhere. If you want tall, snowcapped peaks, you can find them here. If you want barren salt flats, you got ‘em. If you want solitude, you can definitely find it here. Winter is the best time to visit, as the temperatures are bearable and the skies are full of dramatic clouds.

I headed out to Death Valley on a Friday, looking forward to two days in the desert. I hadn’t been to the desert in quite a while, as I had spent most of my 2006 photo trips in the mountains. I camped at Stovepipe Wells, and explored the areas of the park that are accessible by regular passenger car.

My favorite area of the valley was the salt flats at Badwater Basin. Here, at the lowest point in the western hemisphere, you can walk forever on the flat, bright white salt of Death Valley. The salt crystals have formed repeating geometric patterns, which are almost surreal. Couple this with the mountains in the background, throw in some dramatic clouds, and you have yourself a grand image.

The full slate of photos from this trip can be found on my Death Valley page. (link will open in a new window)