Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Mountains

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Mount Grant, Nevada

One of Nevada's Tallest Peaks

Towering as a back drop to Walker Lake on the southwestern side, Mount Grant stands at an elevation of 11,270' (3435.096 m) and is one of the 25 tallest peaks in Nevada.

Located in west-central Nevada, the picturesque Mount Grant is the highest point on the Wassuk Range. After 9/11, access to the public was restricted and Mount Grant has been used predominately for military operations.

Standing above piñon treeline, the higher elevations of Mount Grant are covered in snow during the winter months and support various high altitude conifers.

During the short summers, native grass and wildflowers thrive in the various micro-climates along the slopes and in the meadows.

With its abundant water sources, Mount Grant is home to a number of wildlife including the Desert Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Cougar and Black Bear.

On a clear day at Mount Grant, you can see for approximately 130 miles. However the weather can be subject to violent and fast changes with systems moving in from the east, north and west. Strong winds, reaching gale force are as common as the clear blue skies.

Walker Lake lies on the lee side of Mount Grant and covers approximately 50.3 mi² (130 km²). Walker Lake is a natural high desert lake, fed by the Walker River and was once a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Lahontan that covered most of the western U.S. during the Ice Age.

The summit of Mount Grant is a sharp ridge of 3rd. Class talus, stretching for several hundred meters.

Mount Grant with its natural streams, cottonwoods, plentiful vegetation and wildlife is a sacred area to the Walker River Paiute Tribe.

For additional information:

http://www.walkerlakenv.ogr

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.

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"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

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All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Nevada, Land of Snow Capped Mountains

From deserts to the alpine forests,

Nevada lives up to its Spanish name of "snow fall"

I have mentioned my adopted state of Nevada so often when posting photographs that I thought it might be interesting to provide some background information on Nevada. The local pronunciation for Nevada is with a short "a", like in cat and never with the long "a" Ne-vah-da, that is often heard on TV or in the movies. Nevada is referred to as the "Silver State" because one of the largest silver lodes in the world was found at the Comstock Mine in Virginia City. It is also know as the "Battle Born State", which is proudly displayed on the deep blue state flag from achieving statehood in 1864 during the Civil War.

The word Nevada is Spanish, meaning snow fall. The name came from the Spanish explorers after they saw the many tall snowcapped mountains that include 172 summits with 2,000 feet (610m) of prominence, making Nevada the most mountainous state in the U.S. Many of the mountain peaks are above 13,000 feet (4,000m), with the valleys no lower in elevation than 3,000 feet (910m).

The Spring Mountains are the largest mountain range in Southern Nevada and lie west of Las Vegas in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, which is in the Mojave Desert.

With the summer temperatures in Southern Nevada reaching well over 100°f (37.7°c), the winters can be cold and bring snow to the higher elevations and even the desert floor. The Aztec Sandstone of Calico Hills stands out against the occasional winter snow storm in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. No matter what the weather, the 10,000 acre (4,000 ha) Red Rock Conservation Area is a must see when visiting Las Vegas. The one-way 13 mile (21 km) paved loop is open during day light hours, providing vehicle access to hiking and interpretive trails.

In Northern Nevada, the Sierra Nevada Mountains run for 400 miles (640 km) north to south, through Nevada and California, and are around 70 miles (110 km) across, east to west. The highest peak of the Sierras is Mount Humphreys near Bishop, California and stands at almost 14,000 feet (4,300 km).

Lake Tahoe is set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is the largest alpine lake in North America. Located along the border of California and Nevada, Tahoe has a surface elevation of 6,225 feet (1,897m) and a depth of 1,645 feet (591m), making it the second deepest lake in the U.S. after Oregon's Crater Lake.

Nevada is certainly a state of contrast with its 110,561 sq miles reaching from parts of Death Valley to the Alpine Lake Tahoe. With a population of 2.7 million, the 7th. largest state is only the 35th most populous state. With so much open space and a warm temperate climate, the State of Nevada is a place for adventure with a lot of nature to explore.

Follow my blog and check back often to see where my next photo-adventure takes me!

For more information on the State of Nevada:

http://travelnevada.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2009/07/weather-tales-of-alpine-lake.html