Photo-exploring on a crater's summit
Where would you go to spend the day on top of a mountain, among tall pines with a 360° view? If you are in eastern California, that might be at Lookout Mountain.
Lookout Mountain is located on the Eastern Sierra and within the Inyo National Forest. The name Inyo is Native American meaning dwelling place of the great spirit.
To reach the summit of Lookout Mountain one must travel a gravel, dirt road that is opposite of the Mammoth Scenic Loop turnoff and is not maintained during the winter months.
The narrow, one vehicle trail wanders through ancient Jeffery Pines that have their legacy almost as far back as the volatile creation of this peaceful mountain.
Today, Lookout Mountain appears to be a peaceful retreat. However, its inception was due to a violent volcanic eruption around 677-692,000 years ago. The summit crater that is just over a half mile, 1 kn, in diameter, is covered with gravely pumice and shards of obsidian which offer the few traces of this mountain’s volcanic features.
Up high on this ancient summit, 11,158 feet, 3,401m, wildflowers have managed to adapt in this harsh environment.
Yellow blooms of sulfur buckwheat accent the landscape against black obsidian and grey pumice.
A walk toward the west gives a view of volcanic domes that run north to south: Deadman’s Creek Dome, Glass Creek Dome and Obsidian Dome.
Grey slopes, Precaldera Rhyodacite Flows tower on the northern horizon.
To the south are the Inyo Craters and the east side of Mammoth Mountain.
Delicate white flowers of sego lily Calochortus nuttallii stand out in the dense chaparral.
The tulip shape draws in pollinators and the entire plant was used as a food source by Native Americans.
Brilliant red of Desert Paintbrush, Castilleja, accent the grey alkaline soil. Native Americans enjoyed the health benefits of this stunning plant which is similar to that of garlic.
The shadows grow long, clouds flow across the western sky signaling it’s time to start my descent back down from Lookout’s summit. With so many wonders to explore in the Mammoth, Mono County area, I am anxiously awaiting my next adventure. When I go out on my adventures I try to have a blank slate which allows for the story to come into focus.
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For additional reading:
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long_valley/field_guides_lookout_mountain.html
Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long_valley/field_guides_lookout_mountain.html
With my Nikon and tripod, my goal is to recreate the scene as it appears in nature, to preserve in a photographic image the awesome, yet simplistic beauty of the scene that waits around a bend or over a hill. Sometimes it's a colorful landscape, and many times I'm allowed in the presence of the numerous creatures that adapt to life in the wild.
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!
Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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I love the rugged mountain peaks, and the photos that you take of them. You see things with the eye of an artist. Thanks, Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much, I appreciate your feedback. I love the rugged mountain peaks too and their beauty inspires me to re-create the image in the camera. The scenes draw me in and it's like I am being led to that image. That's how it has always been and I just flow with it.
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