Zapatamania

A prequel to my Dunes post. I had limited time at South Zapata Lake since i wanted to be back at the dunes before sunset, and with the mid-day light and too many contrails, the photo ops were not the best. I got a few decent shots of Zapata Falls on the way out. This is just the lower fall, full falls shot i will post on ESS shortly.

Here's the frozen lake.

Another lake view. Despite this mild Nov, it was still pretty cold at close to 12K ft.

The black and white conversion on the last one is very nice, but the flare around the sunstar is a bit odd looking.

The zapata falls shot is very nice. In particular the colored stones are very attractive.

Mel-

Thanks Mel, i hope you can check out my ESS version. The weirdness of the sunstar is partly due to the contrail that runs right across it, and partly due to me cloning out a hexagon.

I see what you mean about less than optimal conditions, but I'm impressed by your stamina and determination! "Hmm, I think I'll hike 3K' vertical through snow, then rush down and climb up on the dunes in time for sunset. Just another day in paradise." Given the physical output, I might've done those in reverse so that the big climb to the lake was capped off by nice sunset light, but I also wouldn't exactly be doing cartwheels over the prospect of hiking out in the dark.

Ya know, that's not such a bad idea Todd, i should have done that--although the trail was pretty hard to follow in spots and fairly steep in others, so even with a headlamp it might have been an adventure. It actually wasnt too strenuous though compared to most of the trails in the Sangres ive done, course id give anything to have back the stamina i used to have living at sea level!

id give anything to have back the stamina i used to have living at sea level!

Your wife would agree!

lol, im single--and the 4 microbrews and shots i had the night before didnt exactly help my stamina either!

I really like the texture in the first image. Very nice!

Nice shots Stan! I hate contrails too. I love Zapata Falls when they are frozen and can't wait to get back there again. I have never been to the lake though. How long or dificult is it?
John

John, the lake is 4.5 miles one way, but it does seem a little longer. took me 3 hours up, 2 hours down. Not difficult at all, just moderately steep most of the way. It's funny cause at the trailhead someone wrote (in ink?) on a rock "Too tired to finish" I wasn't sure what that meant but it looked funny, especially coming after a ragged t-shirt left on the trail that said "For rent, by the hour"

Thanks Stan! I hope to spend a few nights at the Dunes between Christmas and New Years so I'll have to check it out.
John

You nailed the first shot Stan, WTG Big TIME!!! to your microbrews