We were up before the 5:00 a.m. alarm went off this morning...yes, alarm, something we don't use very often. But today, we thought we would need it because we are going out for a hike to find and photograph Whitney Portal Arch...and the photographers (Ray and Steve) wanted to catch it as the sun came up. So the three of us (Ray, Steve and I...oh, and Freya) headed off at 5:45, leaving Deb at home to prepare breakfast for us upon our return (Apparently I had to go too if I wanted breakfast...LOL).
We drove to the trailhead, parked...and headed off...
Whitney Portal Arch is considered to be one of the "Big Three" of the Alabama Hills, along with Mobius and Eye of Alabama...and one of the "must sees". We walked the trail and could see the arch along the ridgeline but we could not find the trail that branched off towards the arch. We finally turned around, thinking that we had missed the trail since it was dark when we started.
There it is in the distance...
Whitney Mountain at daybreak...
Well, we got back to the trailhead and had found no other trails. We figured it would also be too much of a hike up the mountain for Ray (with his bad back) anyways.
So we went to "plan b" and jumped in the car and made a beeline for the Arch Trail parking lot.
This area gets more foot traffic than any of the other areas and most of that is on the Arch Trail which leads to two spectacular arches, Mobius Arch and Lathe Arch. In addition, Heart Arch can be easily seen. A beautiful shot of Whitney Mountain with the morning sun...
We started out on the trail...
Lathe Arch is the first one we came to...
Then Mobius Arch...
It was a busy morning at Mobius with about a half dozen photographers there catching it as the sun came up...
No comment on that phallic structure ahead :-)
Stunning views!
Back side of Heart Arch...
What's that object sticking out?
A gargoyle!
Steve and I with Freya...great shot, thanks, Ray!
Heart Arch...
Tuttle Creek BLM Campground in the distance...
We were back home shortly after 8:00...and Deb had a delicious breakfast ready for us. Ham and Egg wrapped in a crepe (she even made them gluten-free for us, using rice flour! Thanks, Deb!)
Even had dessert...crepe with fresh strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup!
After breakfast, Ray gave Steve a lesson on "light room", the program he uses to edit his photos with....
Back at our place, I started preparing dinner for tonight (Ray and Deb are coming over) while Steve edited pictures...so many pictures! It's such a beautiful area!
At 4:00 Deb and Ray came over and we sat chatting with our bevies...and as the sun got lower, he brought out the Campfire-In-A-Can...
Then we went inside for dinner...Lasagna, Caesar Salad...followed with cheesecake tarts (that I actually baked!)...
The end to another great day and evening!
We were back home shortly after 8:00...and Deb had a delicious breakfast ready for us. Ham and Egg wrapped in a crepe (she even made them gluten-free for us, using rice flour! Thanks, Deb!)
Then we went inside for dinner...Lasagna, Caesar Salad...followed with cheesecake tarts (that I actually baked!)...
up and out the door bright and early, all in the name of the 'ever perfect sunrise photo'...oh, and breakfast too!!
ReplyDeleteas always the two of you know how to have fun!!