Mountain Jewels

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 2, 2012362 views14 comments

First off, thanks to everyone who commented on my previous post!

Last weekend I backpacked in to Pine Creek Lake in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to spend a couple of nights. There was some spectacular scenery along the trail to the lake.

This is Jewel Lake, just below Pine Creek Lake and Black Mountain, at sunset. The warm light reflecting off the rocks was really special, oh and the moon was like the cherry on top. Not sure what kind of wildflowers these were but they were certainly colorful.

Your comments are much appreciated, thanks for looking!

Nikon D300s
4 Image Blend (3 for DOF @ f/11, 1 image for the sky and moon)

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Mat Malone on August 2, 2012 at 1:52 AM

Zack, those flowers are incredibly beautiful. I really also like how the side-lit trees in the mid-ground glow. Reminds me of the Enchantments in WA. If you wanted to I think you could get away with a bit more contrast in a few areas. Really hard to find anything wrong. Wonderful shot.

Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 2, 2012 at 5:56 AM

A beautiful mountain scenic Zack. The purple fg flowers are really beautiful and add wonderfully to the overall color palette of the image.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on August 2, 2012 at 6:30 AM

Great stuff man, looks like you're having a great time in MT. Bet you can't wait to get back to the northeast

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 2, 2012 at 8:03 AM

Simply beautiful. Your choice of fg is stunning and the light is wonderful.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 2, 2012 at 9:27 AM

Nice. Amazing array of colors and elements and everything works together very nicely.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on August 2, 2012 at 9:28 AM

Great colorful capture of the high country Zack

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 2, 2012 at 10:20 AM

Zack, What a beautiful scene. Your comp is very pleasing and the color and light are beautiful. Very nicely done!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Wick Smith on August 2, 2012 at 11:30 AM

A great hike to be sure! Love the image and the processing. I might be tempted to clone out the moon unless in a very large print. In this size, it's not discernible as anything other than a stray cloud.

Registered on June 12, 2009, 91 Posts, 379 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 2, 2012 at 1:07 PM

Spectacular scene! The flowers are great and I really like the big curve along the rhs and the light on the rocks and trees middle left. I've only taken this trail as far as Pine Creek Falls. How steep was the rest of the hike?

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on August 2, 2012 at 4:45 PM

I'm guessing mountain asters on the flowers. Wonderful alpine vista and sweet lighting. A jewel indeed. Not much to change on this for me.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 2, 2012 at 5:38 PM

Shesh Zack you are really getting around. Another nice spot just south of Black Mountain, Pine Creek Lake, is Mount Cowan area with Elbow Lake at its base. Make sure you get into the Beartooths while you're here.

Those are asters in the foreground if someone hasn't answered that question. Beautiful shot and you picked up some nice warm light on the hillsides. Great that you caught the moon also. Last time I was at this location I experienced one of the greatest wind storms I have ever been in. The wind was so strong the tent was laying on top of me and I was hanging onto the poles for dear life.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by John Fan on August 2, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Beautiful. Like the flowers.

Registered on August 24, 2010, 135 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on August 3, 2012 at 1:13 AM

Paradise...thats what comes to mind when I look at this amazing scene!

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on August 3, 2012 at 5:19 PM

Thanks for the comments so far guys!

Mark: after the nice easy walk to the falls the trail changes dramatically. Lots of steep sections with many switchbacks to ease the grade, it climbs over 3,400 feet in the next 4 miles until finally reaching the lake.

Kurt: Haha, yeah, I can't wait..

Dean: same thing happened to me, a storm blew through the last night I was camping and it nearly took my tent down. I was laying inside my tent holding it down in every direction. The wind was blowing water from the outlet about 20-30ft back into the lake

It was certainly an experience!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments