Water Falling Over Things 2009: Part I

[regnaD kciN]

Rather than starting out the WFOT year, as usual, in March or April, I took the opportunity of a light snowfall on New Year's night to try to catch an image of Snoqualmie Falls with a coating of snow in the canyon. Unfortunately, the experience turned out to be a genuine washout...literally.



Keep in mind that, on the other side of the approach road, there was a good four or five inch coating of snow everywhere. Even in the gardens between the road and the falls, there was a decent blanket of snow. But the falls themselves? If you look at the right, you'll see a few patches of snow. That was it.

What's going on? Well, after thinking about it a bit, I realized that the river itself was warmer than the surrounding air, and was throwing up enough mist to keep the walls of the canyon wet and warm -- virtually no snow could collect there.

(In truth, I have seen photos of Snoqualmie in the snow. As far as I can tell, they were taken during the "deep freeze" here a couple of weeks ago -- when it was cold enough that any moisture clinging to rocks would freeze solid -- by photographers with 4WD vehicles who could brave the ice-covered roads when my Accord didn't have a chance. :shrug: )

In any event, I stopped off at the Tiger Mountain trailhead on the way back, so I could catch some real images of winter snow. Too bad there wasn't a trace of Water Falling Over Things nearby...

[SpookyCat]

1. Georgeous!

I've never been to Washington in the winter...I must make a trip up there.

Can't wait for Part 2 ;-)