Incredible Saturday after the Storm

I wasn't able to make it to Yosemite because of family obligations. So instead I decided to head to Big Sur for the morning with the possibility of seeing snow on the higher coastal peaks. It turned out to be a glorious day with ever changing conditions. I'll just share links for now since I have to wait another week to post an image.

Things started out cold with some rain in the pre-dawn light
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#771786743_8rHVM-XL-LB

Then with sunrise some color started to hit the clouds. And very large waves were pounding the beaches.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#771842788_pyAtA-XL-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#771881319_kbHdN-XL-LB

Then sun broke out thru the morning fog/mist.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#771899759_XKsaJ-XL-LB

I caught my first glimpse of snow at Limekiln. Althgough it was closed I could see it from the road. Then sure enough I saw Cone Peak blanketed in fresh snow. I stopped at one of my favorite destinations in Big Sur, Pacific Valley, for a better view.

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#771935088_3t6J9-XL-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#771954485_LEZus-XL-LB

I then discovered a new waterfall flowing into the ocean at a gorgeous spot.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#772429454_ZcEjh-XL-LB

And finally caught a couple of icons on the way home.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#772519227_pEMrP-XL-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#772750833_LPDmU-XL-LB

All in all it was quite an exhilerating morning with these post storm conditions. Man I sure love Winter time!

Derek

The images of Cone Peak are really cool -- I don't think I've ever seen images of snow that close to the coast in central CA.

Great stuff Derek! How crazy is it seeing that snow so low! Loving the angry seas too

Looks like you had a very productive day shooting with some nice light and unusual conditions with that snow. Good stuff!

Nice series, Derek, a productive day of shooting

Nice images Derek. Does anyone know if Cone Peak is accessible via the trail?

Thanks guys. Seeing snow and waves in the same scene is really a cool experience.

Mike, I have considered hiking up there as well as I hear the view from the top is incredible. So I actually asked this question recently to David Gubernick who I consider an area expert. Here was his response:

Cone Peak Trail - the road is usually closed for the winter because of rain and road problems - however, some one reported on Jan 10th that they were up the road and trail. Quite a hike up.....here's their report (link to site is below at the Ventana Wilderness Alliance website) -
by lori on Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:16 am

Date Hiked: January 10, 2010
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

We hiked the trail to the lookout on Cone Peak from the trail head on the road. The tread is easy to find, and while in some places it appears eroded and crumbly it was easy to walk, or run, apparently - we were passed by a couple of trail runners as they were coming and going. Not a trail for those inclined to vertigo! Very steep hillsides with a very narrow footpath.

The road itself looked pretty good too. There was a Ford Explorer parked at the top of Vicente Flat Trail and a white truck coming down as we were walking up. Looked like a lot of deadfall had been cut and cleared - lots of logs and branches down the side just off the road.

http://www.ventanawild.org/forum08/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=224&sid=8c329b1bf691cb33b32bbb14f621d371

Derek

Derek,

Looked like a great day for photography - and to just be out there! My fav is the first one that shows the snow capped peak. A rare combination on the California coast and I'm sure not many people have a capture like that.

Lon

Thanks Lon, I have only seen one other shot of this scene. But it was enough to inspire me to go out looking for it when the conditions were right. I plan to try again next cold front we get. I would like to capture it at sunrise or sunset. The tricky part is catching these conditions after the storm without clouds covering the peak which they were partially this day.

Mike, I just checked the Ventana Wildness Forum after signing up. It looks like the road to the trailhead itself is closed. Although I think it could be hiked to from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. That would take longer however.

Derek

Nice series Derek.

Mike, all coastal mountain dirt roads usually close in winter just to ensure they are usuable after they dry. Erosion can wipe them out for good. I hiked up to the top when I was a kid in the summertime, it was very hot so I'd recommend doing before hand. I don't recall how far it was from the paved road but still seems doable in winter.

Great photos!! My favorite also is the fifth one, the snow capped peak in Pacific Valley. Could you give directions to that spot....I hope to get to Big Sur soon and would love to shoot there.

great shots Derek...glad you took the advantage on post storm conditions in the Big Sur coast.

Hi Tony,

Its pretty easy to find. You just drive ~ 7 miles south of Lucia. You will notice that you drop down into a flat 'Valley' area. Then look for the pullouts on the coast side of Hwy 1. Here is a photo from the trail which is ~ .5 mile from the turn in the road and start of Pacific Valley. There are several wooden stepped access points to the coast.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Spring/Spring-2009/7692690_JAj6E#511135710_7GRYp-XL-LB

And if you go too far you will see a big Pacific Valley Station sign here. This is ~1 mile south of the coastal trail from my images above: http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_pacval.html

This is an awesome section of coast. In the Spring the wildflowers really make it a special desitnation as well.

Derek

It looks like a good day to be out. My favorite is the first with a little crop from the top.

- Dan.

Thanks Derek!!