Snow, Lake, Mountains...

I had been eagerly anticipating Tuesday morning all week prior, since it looked like a cold front would clear through the area in the morning. Well, by Monday it was clear that the weakening front would come through pretty quickly, and the rapidly clearing skies up in WY told me i wasnt going to get any great cloud display for sunrise. I briefly considered sleeping, but the temptation to see some fresh snow was too great--you only get these early snowfalls once or twice a year after all. So, i went without sleep and made the trip up to Bainard Lake yesterday morn. Had to walk the last mile to the trailhead for Isabelle since the road was getting pretty icy. Then, breaking trail through 6 inches of powder with 12" drifts slowed me down a bit, and i barely made the lake in time for best light. What a great morning to be out though--had the trail and lake all to myself!
Here's a brief sample from the lake:

Cool snow by the lake...

One more. My forecast for the week ahead is still on track--lots of snow for the mountains--maybe some for all of us next week!

I am soooo glad you decided to go for it. Otherwise we wouldn't get to see these awesome images. The alpenglow is outrageous! The orange/blue tension is amazing.

Well worth the effort Stan.

I love the slight reflecting colors in the foreground snow in #1. Great stuff!

Fantastic group of images! Thanks for sharing that amazing color

As usual, Todd nailed it. I second his response.

Nice!!!

Incredible golden reflections, Stan. Stunners.

The effort was definitely worth it.

Nice shots! Who needs clouds when you get the perfect complementary colors of orange and blue.

What Grant said. The composition of the first one is stellar!

Beautiful images, Stan. I'm glad you didn't sleep in.

that's freaking intense light you have!

Great stuff, Stan, though the pick of the bunch is your ESS post. #1 here comes quite close, though.

Thanks for going Warren Zevon and making the arduous trip for these stunning images! The orange reflection in #1 is tremendous!

You do some of your best work on no sleep. Another great series, Stan. Wonderful color in all, and I like #2 for all the lines leading me back.

Hi Stan, your images are lovely as usual. The lake still looks incredibly low. Am I correct, or has the lake started to fill up again? I was wondering if number #2 (my favorite) was shot in the lake bed.

All of these are really cool. The fresh early season snow really brings out the textures of the rock and ice. I prefer the tighter comp of #1 here to the one on ESS.

Kane, this is only my second time to this lake, and the other time was early summer with big snowbanks remaining--so it looked a lot different to me. I think it was lower, just dont really know!

These are all sweet Stan, well worth no sleep and hiking thru fresh snow!. I really like the intense contrast of the Alpen glow in #1 and #3 against the blues!.

You snooze, you lose.

Is the orange on the mtn a bit too orange? And, I do like saturated colors.

I like the overall comp in the second one the best, and the foreground is exceptional!

You're not allowed to sleep in.
All are sweet!

Tom--i dont think so, i was pretty careful in checking my colors on site, and im pretty happy with the way the alpenglow looks--it was extremely strong. I think my snow is maybe a hair blue, but thats the only 'liberty' i took here.

Awesome light and color! Really like the horizontal comp in the last image. Amazing detail as well.

The comp on all of these is excellent Stan. Love the colors and relfections in #1

Nice set, it definitely looks different from when I was there the week before. I was up there the same day as well but didn't have snowshoes with me and turned around after the trail wasn't packed down anymore.