Posted by Howard Cihak on September 15, 2012 at 11:24 PM
If so, and if you'd like to link up, drop me a line. The wind changed direction today and picked up speed. The result is most of the fire smoke has been blown out and the smoke from the still burning fire is headed East away from the park.
For now, anyway.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on September 16, 2012 at 1:01 AM
Aleks Miesak was earlier today. Not sure if she's still there. She posted a pic on her FB account.
Posted by Ronald Lutz on September 16, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Just pulled into Teton Village ..smoky haze over the mtns and valley.../
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 16, 2012 at 6:40 PM
Yeah, I gave up this morning and headed north to Yellowstone. The smoke was so bad, you could barely see the mountains.
I'll see how it looks a few days from now since I'm currently planning to return south to eventually head back to Virginia by way of Northern Colorado and RMNP.
Please don't tell me conditions are bad there, too. O.K., tell me so 5 don't have to spend a lot time finding out for myself. Worse comes to worse, I can always head north to Glacier.
Posted by Ken Henke on September 16, 2012 at 7:09 PM
Well, I live in NOCO and yes, it is still hazy here. I was at Bear Lake yesterday and views from the lake looking toward Long's Peak were still hazy. That's the bad news. The good...a mild storm system is moving through tonight that may help clear things out.
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 16, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Ken, I would greatly appreciate it if you would be kind enough to provide updates over the next few days,
Posted by Ed Fuhr on September 16, 2012 at 9:55 PM
I would also welcome seeing updates! Howard, what part of Virginia? Saw a couple of maples showing some tinges of color in SWVa but we have a ways to go still.....
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 16, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Ed, I live in Alexandria, about 5 miles south of the Pentagon.
The thing you need to keep in mind about Virginia is that it essentially has two zones of climate, the mountains to the west and the lowlands to the east. There may be some fall color in the mountains this year (though I doubt as much as in years past), but in the lowlands I expect the tree leaves will rapidly go from green to brown because we've had higher temps and much less rainfall.
Posted by Dean Sauskojus on September 17, 2012 at 2:46 AM
Howard, I apologize for urging you to come out here. I just didn't figure in the smoke. We have a lot of fire around us here in Bozeman, MT and have about a mile or two of visibility but we are way north of Grand Teton. We did get some rain tonight but I don't know if you got any down there. I hope the haze moves on before the color comes on. Good Luck!
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 17, 2012 at 3:58 AM
Dean, no apologies needed. The weather is always a crap shoot, and I suppose fires as well this late in what has been a dry season. Besides, this trip still has had it's moments. Yesterday, as I headed North, I stopped at the Exum Climbing School at Jenny Lake, and took a trip down Memory Lane.
49 Years ago (Summer of '63), my Dad, Mom, sister and I took a loooong road trip (8000 miles in a little over 3 weeks) that included a few days in the Tetons. While we were there I told my Dad I wanted to spend a day at the Mountain Climbing School (of dubious value to a kid who lived in Northern Ohio). So he drove me to Jenny Lake and I walked inside and found Glenn Exum himself. After paying the money, Glenn Looked me up and down and said I'd make a good tail end man in the climbing party as he outfitted me with the gear I'd need. He then said my partner would be Bob McNamara and took me outside to meet the Secretary of Defense, his wife and another couple they brought along with them. Quite apart from this encounter with a high government official, that day in the climbing school was one of the most memorable and enjoyable days of my life. It amazes me that I can still remember so many small details of that day.
Yesterday, I found everything, the bridge across the creek and the two wooden buildings of the climbing school, exactly as I remembered them 49 years ago. I understand the school is now being operated by Glenn's son. I would've liked to have told him about my special day with his Dad, but, alas, the school had been closed for the season. I sat down on one of the outdoor tables and just reminisced. That road trip was the last one that the four of us ever took together. Needless to day, there were a lot of memories.
So, you see Dean, when life hands you lemons, see if you can find a recipe for lemonade.
Posted by Ken Henke on September 17, 2012 at 7:11 PM
Howard,
I am currently in Rock Springs on business, but when I get back on Wednesday I'll certainly let you know what the haze doing. In the meantime, unless someone else chimes in, check the National Weather Service site for visibility. Type in RMNP for local info. If the visibiity is less than 10 miles, my experience this summer indicates too hazy for most of us photographers. But of course that is only if you were planning on some grand vista images. There are other gorgeous places to photograph in the park. Some have been posted recently.
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 17, 2012 at 9:55 PM
Ken, many thanks for the suggestion, and I would certainly welcome your own expert opinion any time you feel you can offer it.
Posted by Ken Henke on September 17, 2012 at 11:06 PM
Howard,
I am currently in Rock Springs on business, but when I get back on Wednesday I'll certainly let you know what the haze doing. In the meantime, unless someone else chimes in, check the National Weather Service site for visibility. Type in RMNP for local info. If the visibiity is less than 10 miles, my experience this summer indicates too hazy for most of us photographers. But of course that is only if you were planning on some grand vista images. There are other gorgeous places to photograph in the park. Some have been posted recently.
Posted by Ken Henke on September 19, 2012 at 7:18 PM
Howard,
Back in NoCo and the smoke is thicker than when I left. Bummer.
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 20, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Thanks, Ken. I'm up in Glacier NP, and there's no smoke here. Yesterday, i made the hike up the Hidden Lake trail from the Logans Pass Visitor Center. I think I'm gettin' too old for that kind of thing. The lungs just aren't up to it. Anyway, I made it to the top and all the way back down without any assistance.
Discussion
14 repliesFor now, anyway.
I'll see how it looks a few days from now since I'm currently planning to return south to eventually head back to Virginia by way of Northern Colorado and RMNP.
Please don't tell me conditions are bad there, too. O.K., tell me so 5 don't have to spend a lot time finding out for myself. Worse comes to worse, I can always head north to Glacier.
The thing you need to keep in mind about Virginia is that it essentially has two zones of climate, the mountains to the west and the lowlands to the east. There may be some fall color in the mountains this year (though I doubt as much as in years past), but in the lowlands I expect the tree leaves will rapidly go from green to brown because we've had higher temps and much less rainfall.
49 Years ago (Summer of '63), my Dad, Mom, sister and I took a loooong road trip (8000 miles in a little over 3 weeks) that included a few days in the Tetons. While we were there I told my Dad I wanted to spend a day at the Mountain Climbing School (of dubious value to a kid who lived in Northern Ohio). So he drove me to Jenny Lake and I walked inside and found Glenn Exum himself. After paying the money, Glenn Looked me up and down and said I'd make a good tail end man in the climbing party as he outfitted me with the gear I'd need. He then said my partner would be Bob McNamara and took me outside to meet the Secretary of Defense, his wife and another couple they brought along with them. Quite apart from this encounter with a high government official, that day in the climbing school was one of the most memorable and enjoyable days of my life. It amazes me that I can still remember so many small details of that day.
Yesterday, I found everything, the bridge across the creek and the two wooden buildings of the climbing school, exactly as I remembered them 49 years ago. I understand the school is now being operated by Glenn's son. I would've liked to have told him about my special day with his Dad, but, alas, the school had been closed for the season. I sat down on one of the outdoor tables and just reminisced. That road trip was the last one that the four of us ever took together. Needless to day, there were a lot of memories.
So, you see Dean, when life hands you lemons, see if you can find a recipe for lemonade.
I am currently in Rock Springs on business, but when I get back on Wednesday I'll certainly let you know what the haze doing. In the meantime, unless someone else chimes in, check the National Weather Service site for visibility. Type in RMNP for local info. If the visibiity is less than 10 miles, my experience this summer indicates too hazy for most of us photographers. But of course that is only if you were planning on some grand vista images. There are other gorgeous places to photograph in the park. Some have been posted recently.
I am currently in Rock Springs on business, but when I get back on Wednesday I'll certainly let you know what the haze doing. In the meantime, unless someone else chimes in, check the National Weather Service site for visibility. Type in RMNP for local info. If the visibiity is less than 10 miles, my experience this summer indicates too hazy for most of us photographers. But of course that is only if you were planning on some grand vista images. There are other gorgeous places to photograph in the park. Some have been posted recently.
Back in NoCo and the smoke is thicker than when I left. Bummer.