Spring Gathering sunrise

I finally finished going through all the photos I shot during the CSNP spring gathering. That Sunday morning, Rod Kissinger and I drove about 15 miles up Hwy 7 to a spot with a clear view of Big Creek Valley. Despite the cloud cover, the sun found a way through and put on a good show at sunrise. But the really amazing stuff came a little later as the sunlight beamed through gaps in the clouds and lit up spots in the valley below. The sunbeams were in constant motion, and no two shots were the same.

I didn't have much hope for you guys when you were leaving camp. Skies looked pretty clear. I did see a few clouds as we were heading down 16 but I didn't imagine it would be this nice. Great stuff.

WOW! I'd say I wish we had gone with you guys, but I'm happy with our decision head for Keefe Falls before the sun ruined the scenery. Glad you showed us what we missed! Very nice!

John, you really came away with a great collection from the gathering. I wasn't sure if the sunrise would be worth it or not that morning, looks like it was though!

both of those are fantastic, john. those sunbeams and the light hitting the valley floor are just gorgeous.

Chasing sunrises and sunsets are usually a crap shoot for me too, but I'd say you definitely rolled a seven or eleven on this one. Great color and processing on both, John. Beautiful work!

Beautiful shots John I like them both alot. Did you run into a fellow from Nebraska that morning. I met him at the crag.

Gale, yes a guy with camera gear pulled off and joined us. I can't remember where he was from, but that sounds about right. He said he didn't have much in the way of mountains where he lived! You should have heard Rod and me rambling on about all the scenic locations nearby!

John,

It's been a while since you posted this, but I was the guy from Nebraska. Thanks for the info, by the way, it came in handy. As for the photo, beautifully done and it definitely was a gorgeous morning.

Happy shooting!