Lonesome Lake – Cloud Cover
Here are a few more shots from when I was at Lonesome Lake in Franconia Notch State Park. Cloud cover was pretty heavy early in the morning as I passed by the lake. I also had a close encounter with a moose on the same day which you can see here.
Since I was heading deeper into the forest I couldn’t spend much time at the lake, but did stay long enough to capture some of the cloud cover.
The moose was one of the better ones I have crossed paths with this year. He was eating away without a care in the world.
Until next time!
Lonesome Lake – Bull Moose
Yesterday morning (Thursday) I took a quick trip up to Lonesome Lake in the White Mountains, NH to do some exploring. As I came around a bend in the trail I was surprised when I bumped into a moose standing in the middle of the trail!
Thank god he was more interested in eating twigs than me. I watched him from a safe distance for almost twenty minutes, before he decided to move off the trail far enough so I could safely pass.
He could have cared less about me and almost seemed to be laughing the entire time I waited for him to move off the trail. Every so often he would look at me with this grin!
Have a great weekend!
Lincoln Woods Trail – Stream
Along the Lincoln Woods Trail in the White Mountains is a small stream that I have walked past countless times over the years when heading into the Pemi Wilderness. For one reason or another I have never given it a second look. Most of the time harsh light or being on a time frame (to get to a location) is the reason.
Early one morning a few weeks ago while heading into the Pemi the stream looked perfect. Better than some waterfalls I have photographed. I have never seen it look so inviting. Above is the small stream.
Enjoy!
Mount Pierce – White Mountains, NH
I have been working on images from this past winter season (with hopes to finish processing all in the next few weeks). Above is an image from the summit of Mount Pierce at dawn in the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA during the winter months. A half moon can be seen breaking through the clouds in the background.
This image will be part of the Dawn to Dusk Image Archive, which is focused around the White Mountains, NH.
Enjoy!
White Mountains, NH – Alpine Zone Winter
It is sad to see the end of winter come so quick this year. I guess it had to end sometime, but it feels like the season just started. One of my projects for this winter season was to document extreme weather conditions in the alpine zones of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. I spend so much time in the alpine zones during bad weather I decided to focus on it.
Over the last few years I have seen so many images showing the open ridges of the mountains as a warm friendly place during the winter season. Photographers use various methods to produce this “warm “ feeling. Two quick ways are by adjusting the camera’s white balance or using a warming filter. This effect can also be added to the image using Lightroom and Photoshop.
Down in the valleys a warm winter scene is what you aim for when making an image, but not in the alpine zone. The alpine zones of the White Mountains are cold places with temperatures constantly around zero, strong winds and whiteout conditions. Many days it only takes a few minutes for frostbite to take over your finger tips or toes. The fact that Mount Washington is home to some of the worst weather in the world should be considered when making images in this environment.
All of the winter and most of the spring season the above conditions can be found in the alpine zones of the mountains. As a photographer I have never really understood the obsession of creating a warm image in this kind of environment? Its not a warm and inviting place at all.
As a editorial photographer producing a cold, cold landscape as a warm friendly inviting place is somewhat falsifying the image. It is kinda on the same lines as adding or removing a person from a shot using photoshop. This practice has never been tolerated in editorial photography. Yes, the warm image has market value, but it is not a accurate representation of the scene.
My objective was to show the true alpine zone. Cold, strong winds and whiteout conditions! The real question? Did I successfully produce images that show the White Mountains during extreme winter conditions?
If you would like to see more extreme weather images click here.
Enjoy!
First Day of Winter
Mount Lafayette – December 21, 2009
December 21, 2009 – The first day of winter.
Finally the best season of the year is hear! Strong winds, whiteout conditions, waist deep drifts and spruce traps that swallow your hiking partner. All part of the winter excitement. Winter in the White Mountains is like no other season and many consider it to be the best time to explore the mountains.
Mount Lafayette – December 21, 2009
Winter started in grand fashion this year with whiteout conditions, bone chilling temperature and winds that knock most over.
Mount Lafayette – December 21, 2009
Visibility was null and void at 5,260 feet on the summit of Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire USA.
Frosty Goggles
Take a hike this winter in the White Mountains, NH and experience this winter wonderland first hand. And good luck to all the peak baggers chasing the winter list with hopes to finish in one season. If the first day of the season is any indication of how the weather is going to be then it could be a tough challenge this year.
Enjoy!
Dusk till Dawn images
Franconia Notch Parkway – Lincoln, NH USA
A new image gallery has been added to ScenicNH.com.. The gallery is referred to as “White Mountains, NH – dusk till dawn” and the images are focused around the mountains. The title “Dusk till dawn” should give you a good idea of the type of imagery included in this gallery.
Mount Washington Resort – Bretton Woods, NH USA
One of the best times to explore the White Mountains, NH is during the night. From a simple trail hike to the summit of Mount Washington, night time in the mountains is a awesome experience.
Mount Washington – White Mountains, NH USA
View the White Mountains, NH – Dusk till Dawn image gallery click here.
Enjoy!
Winter Hiking Season
Hikers climb Greenleaf Trail to Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire
With winter so close… Its knocking on the door in the White Mountains, New Hampshire and it wont be long before the landscape is a winter wonderland. Some hikers pack it up for the year when the snow starts flying, but others get ready for the best season of the year. Most locals start chomping at the bit in November waiting for the first big snow storm.
Tuckerman Ravine in Whiteout Conditions
The weather changes instantly during the winter and should be monitored at all times. Clear skies to whiteout conditions is routine. One of the more impressive places to visit during the winter is Tuckerman Ravine. Tuckerman Ravine is located on the eastern slopes of Mount Washington, New Hampshire.
Lions head in Whiteout Conditions
One of the main routes to the summit of Mount Washington is Lions Head Trail, which starts in Tuckerman Ravine. Most days strong winds cause whiteout conditions and visibility is next to nothing.
Mount Washington, New Hamshire USA
The Presidential Range of the White Mountains takes on a new look when covered in snow. Blue bird days will stay with you forever. Enjoy!
Sandwich Range – Mount Chocorua
Mount Chocorua – Albany, New Hampshire
Mount Chocorua, located on the eastern end of the Sandwich Range is one of the most underrated mountains in New Hampshire USA . With an elevation of 3,490 feet Mount Chocorua does not qualify as a 4,000 footer, but don’t let that stop you from spending a day on the summit of this wonderful mountain.
Scenic views from Mount Chocorua
Three Sisters can also be seen from the summit of Mount Chocorua.
Three Sisters from Mount Chocorua
The rocky summit offers views in all directions and attracts hikers day in and day out. Spending alone time on this summit is usually not possible even midweek.
A hiker near the summit of Mount Chocorua
Just below the summit cone is “Cow Rock”. Cow Rock is a small cave in which Frank Bolles, who was a naturalist and writer spent the night in.
Cow Rock – Mount Chocorua
Just below Mount Chocorua’s summit cone is the Jim Liberty Cabin. The cabin was built in 1934 and is secured down by large chains. The chains are a cool feature of the cabin. The cabin is also located where the old Peak House use to be.
Jim Liberty Cabin just below the summit of Mount Chocorua
If you would like to see more images of Mount Chocorua click here.
Enjoy!
White Mountains, NH Winter
As I work away today on the computer I can not help but think about winter. Winter is almost here and I cant wait! The reason for these thoughts is probably, because I just finished sending out winter image submissions to a handful of clients. In the photo world we work months(even years) ahead of the actual season we are in.
I am not interested in talking about photography today. Lets talk winter! Snow! Snow! Snow! and more Snow!
Winter is an awesome time of year here in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. Make sure you take the time to enjoy it!
If you would like to see more winter images from the White Mountains, NH click here
Enjoy!
Zealand Notch – White Mountains, NH
Zealand Notch once known as “New” Zealand Notch is one of the hidden gems of the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA. Hidden between Whitewall and Zeacliff mountain the Appalachian Trail travels through one of the most picturesque notches in the White Mountains.
Zealand Notch from the Appalachian Trail
The rocky cliff of Whitewall Mountain is visible on the side of the Appalachian Trail.
Whitewall Mountain – White Mountains, NH USA
The views from the summit of Whitewall Mountain are considered some of the best in the White Mountains.
Mount Carrigain from Whitewall Mountain, New Hampshire USA
Zeacliff from Whitewall Mountain, New Hampshire USA
Zealand Falls Hut offers excellent views into the notch.
Zealand Notch from Zealand Falls Hut, New Hampshire USA
It is hard to believe that this area was logged, destroyed by fire and described as a wasteland in the early years. Now, in the twenty-first century it is one of the few areas in the White Mountains, NH that shows almost no signs of the logging era or fires that swept through the notch.
View from Zeacliff Mountain, New Hampshire USA
Zealand Pond – White Mountains, NH USA
Possibly the location of railroad yard along the Zealand Valley Railroad
A few artifacts can be found here and there but for the most part this area has recovered very well. Amazing how mother nature recoveries from destruction.
Bridge abutment – N. Fork River – White Mountains, NH USA
View more stock images of Zealand Notch – White Mountains, NH here
Zealand Notch deserves a visit!
