A Cloud Sandwich (long-ish w/lotsa pics)

Most of you guys on this forum know that I've paid my dues shooting Pikes Peak and inclement weather. Well, after the better part of two decades chasing the light up on Rampart Range, yesterday offered conditions that were among the most interesting I've seen.

I car camped in a thick fog (literal, not of the mind), and before dawn I headed farther up Rampart Range Road to see if I could find that margin between fogbank and blue sky. I was able to get above the clouds, but there was a transient layer above me that partially hid Pikes' summit. (see above) There was a thin strip of open sky between the two layers out to the east, but the sun never found an opening. Still, a nice scene.

I spent time watching the clouds push up against the eastern side of the range...

At times the clouds above looked more like thunderstorms than cold weather clouds, but ocassional sparks of sunlight gave me hope for clearing skies...

Meanwhile, back towards Pikes Peak, the clouds swirling around the summit had taken on a sloppy look, while the skies nearby showed hints of blue. So I decided to take a short nap and see if things cleared away.

To my amazement, when I woke up, I found myself sandwiched between two very distinct cloud layers, one above and one below. On the surface this sounds like a fairly normal occurence. But I don't think I've EVER seen such distinct layers separated from one another, both perfectly flat. It was really, really cool!

It didn't take long for the upper layer to start spitting snow and descending into the lower layer, though. Looking up, it was gray...

...looking down, more of the same, until both cloud banks combined, it started snowing heavily, and the distinction between the two was gone for good.

So I went down into Garden of the Gods and spent a few hours shooting the incredible rime ice and fresh snow to be found there. (Hope you got some nice stuff this morning, Derek!)

wonderful, especially the first one. I think it works fine w/o alpenglow.

We did not get a frosty coating like that up in Fort Collins.

Another great series of shots. You are really using up your quota of clouds early this year. #2 is my favorite.

Nice shots Todd! The first two are really sweet!

Brian

Great shots Todd. 1-4 are my favorites. I love the white trees and clouds mixed in with blue

You really founds some windows of light through the storm yesterday. I don't remember seeing blue sky at all for the past three days in the Springs.

Your GoGs shot shows the same ice and snow that I saw there this morning. It was falling from the trees and melting fast from the bright sun light. Now it looks like there are more storm bands rolling in. Things could get interesting if the temps drop.

I'll post some photos later of the shots from this morning.

Geez, you're on a roll, Todd! Great shots, as usual. I've been in a cloud sandwich before too... I thought I was about to catch the sunrise of my life, but at that one moment, some other clouds rose up and blocked the epic view. This was the best I could do: http://www.widerange.org/images/large/aframeSunrisePink.jpg

Yup, Jack, that's what I was hoping for when I saw that sliver of sky to the east. If it had happened as I imagined it, my head would surely asplode.

Here's another, just for fun...

Todd, These are great! I went to Pueblo on I-25 Sunday AM. When I left the house I was dreaming more of ham than photos and didn't think to bring my camera. The "rime" ice on the trees was really neat to see along the way, even without the camera. Glad you were able to get out and catch some of the great scenery.

I like the GoG shot the most. Really cool to see snow on green cacti and red rocks.

Hi Todd,

Nice sequence - cool story! I like 1-3, plus the GoG shots best. #1 could be improved by removing the two intrusions bottom left. I like the sense of depth on all four and the hint at red rocks in #3 is a nice counterpoint to the white feel.

Ken

Okay, one more...

#'s 1 and 2 are really nice. Nice Job!

Todd:

Love the first one and the encore! You deserve to take a bow. Interesting weather, great write-up and some damn fine photos - looks like you made good use of "bad" weather.

Really love the FG trees in the encore shot!

Man, you were busy! I like them all but #2 is my favorite.

Don

Awesome shots, Todd! I wanted so badly to make it out that morning but was too beat from working, glad you shared those with us.
1 & 3 totally rock!
I'm totally psyched for fri and the weekend--blizzards, tornadoes (to the east) what more can you ask for?

A lifetime of cloud shots for some of us; a leisurely morning for you. #2 rocks the house. They're all impressive, and it's interesting to see how the mood changes from one image to the next, but #2, with those two ridglines of trees peeking up through the clouds...instant classic.

Yawn, another prolific Caudle morning with epic clouds wrapping themselves around your subjects like gowns on runway models.

Dude, those are some gorgeous "spring" images! I vote for 3 and 4.

The first, Second forth and Fifth shots are in my opinion the absolute best! Worth the effort and risk you took camping out hoping to get the shot of a life time! You instead got Shots of a lifetime!

Fantastic shots Cloud Man! Looks like this weekend is shaping up to be interesting