Which do you prefer?

It's too bad the mist in the mountains behind the tall tree isn't matching in both shots - then I'd say stitch 'em up as a pano. As it stands, I'd probably choose the 2nd one. The centered tall tree in the first shot makes the image appear to static and kind of stops my eyes in their tracks, rather than letting me flow through the shot. The 2nd shot, with the tall tree in the bottom right, allows more "movement" through the frame. The tree line, in the 2nd shot, also has a slight "rise" to it as it moves left - which is pleasing to my eyes - a kind of golden diagonal.

Definitely the 2d, Bryan, better distribution of fog and light.
Im planning on spending some time up on top of Herard sometime this summer.