Back in mid-February we did a trail run in Sedona using a combination of both designated and social trails. Early in the run we crossed these beautiful carved channels in the sandstone bed of Dry Creek. It had been a dry winter up until that point so there was no running water but still enough for a few pools that included reflections of the blue sky.
Channels carved into the sandstone of Dry Creek, Sedona, AZ.This is a composite of two photos. We each took a photo of the other then combined them. It works…
Farther along we passed this small reflecting pool. Since there were only the two of us the best we could do was to each take a photograph of the other running past the pool. A little bit of work in a photo app composited the two images and it looks like a real photograph!
Last week we were in Sedona at the Huckaby Trailhead getting ready for a trail run. For just a few minutes, the clouds in the east opened up and allowed this spot of sunlight to hit the red rocks of Sedona. The rocks seen here are Steamboat Rock in the lower foreground and The Sail in the middle ground. In the distance is Wilson Mountain.
A brief moment of sunlight illuminates Steamboat Rock and The Sail in Sedona.
A sea of fog surrounds Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona.
It’s been a quiet winter with very few storms so when we finally got a storm I wanted to try and get some morning sunrise fog shots. I awoke early to check radar and satellite data. I was both surprised and disappointed that my favorite locations appeared to be cloud and fog free. On the other hand, satellite data showed an extensive area of fog and low clouds near Sedona and into the Verde Valley. I quickly headed down Oak Creek Canyon to a location in Sedona that has a great view for these types of events.
A wide-angle shot with Cathedral Rock in the distance. A few minutes later the fog surged northward.Fog begins to wrap around red rock buttresses in Sedona.
At first the fog was fairly distant to the south and visibility was very good in all directions. I was able to see Cathedral Rock poking through the fog. But over the next few minutes the fog surged northward and soon I was in the thick of it with low visibility.
Fog and mist partially obscure the red rock buttresses in Sedona, Arizona.A zoomed-in shot of the fog obscuring the red rock in Sedona, Arizona.
I headed to another viewpoint hoping there would be some sun shining through the fog. For a few minutes it did. And then the fog thickened again.
Overall I was pretty happy with the fog and photo session–especially since I haven’t had many chances this winter. And the weather forecast looks warm and dry. Boring.
West Fork Oak Creek. This is the “Subway” section of the canyon.
A week of cold overnight temperatures has allowed ice to form on West Fork of Oak Creek–so this was a good time to hike the canyon. Winter visitation is fairly light so getting a parking spot is easy and we encountered only a handful of hikers on the trail. So it is definitly more enjoyable in the winter.
Icicles hang from the canyon wall in West Fork Oak Creek.There are no waterfalls in West Fork Oak Creek. This is the closest thing with a small cascade of water pouring over the sandstone.Intricate designs in the ice abound in the canyon. This was also an attempt at focus stacking.
There was ice on the creek but there was also open areas of running water. It required some care making the numerous stream crossings to step on logs or rocks and not to put too much weight on the ice. A big difference from previous winter hikes was the lack of snow. Although we carried foot traction devices (i.e., Kahtoola microspikes) we did not need them.
At the “Subway”, a narrow, high-walled section of the canyon with wall-to-wall water, the ice was probably not thick enough to ensure safe passage through this section. Some of it was firm but there was still open water in the middle of the channel. Opting for safety, we let this be our turn-around spot.
There are several cliffs in the canyon with significant water seeps. Water drips from the large icicles and refreezes at the ground creating free-standing ice stalactives as well as encasing grasses and small stems in strange and bizarre shapes.
There are several cliffs in the canyon with significant water seeps. Water drips from the large icicles and then refreezes at the ground creating free-standing ice stalactites as well as encasing grasses and small stems in strange and bizarre shapes.
Ice sculpture from dripping icicles above.Detailed view of ice crystals in West Fork Oak Creek.
I looked back at the many times we have done this in the winter and the conclusion that I can draw is that it requires multiple nights of sub-zero temperatures (generally -5 to -10°F or colder) to produce safe ice. The recent cold temperatures were single-digit readings but above zero. Not cold enough.
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Here are some older entries about hiking West Fork in the winter:
Fall (or autumn, if you prefer) is over in northern Arizona. Peak fall colors started high on the peaks back in September and have been working their way down to lower elevations. The peak moved through Oak Creek Canyon in mid November.
The North Wilson Trail climbs out of Oak Creek Canyon and goes through a stand of maple trees. Leaves on trees and on the ground make this a favorite for fall photographs.
A few years ago and saw this little guy sitting at the base of the tree on the North Wilson Trail. He was still there on this year’s hike but was starting to lean over a bit so we set him upright. Never know what you’ll find on a hike.
Not really about fall colors but we spotted this little gnome statuette off to the side of the trail. Never know what you will find on a hike!Water cascades over boulders before entering a large and deep pool at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.A shady stretch of Oak Creek with fall colors.Trees and grasses with reflections at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.sshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.A small cascade at the lower end of Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.Brightly colored trees at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon.Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
