Sunrise over the Sierra Nevada
October 27, 2020
Photographer: Cindy Todd
Summary Author: Cindy Todd
Shown above is the amazing coloration of the Sierra Nevada range, the Alabama Hills area and Mount Whitney (seen in the background at right center, 14,505 ft or 4,421 m) I observed during sunrise one day this past summer. The pink and orange hues of the rock slopes were captivating. Though technically from the same formation as the Sierra Nevada, the Alabama Hills are composed of eroded granite (monzogranite and metamorphosed volcanic rock) that date from 85-200 million years ago.
This area of the Sierra range is my favorite place to camp primarily due to the exquisite views that greet you as the Sun rises each morning. Additionally, you’re able to experience the desert and the mountain in a single trip. I literally walked across the desert and up the Sierra range, hiking almost 3,000 feet (914 m) in elevation in just 4 miles (6.5 km). Initially, I saw cacti, lizards, and desert flowers, and then after walking perhaps a mile, I was beneath a canopy of pine trees, watching butterflies and jays, with a waterfall in the distance. It’s such a great area to explore! Photo taken on July 7, 2020.
Photo Details: Camera NIKON COOLPIX L610; Exposure Time 0.0050s (1/200); Aperture ƒ/4.2; ISO equivalent 125; Focal Length (35mm) 54