Highlights 2015

Lower Falls, in Cataract Falls State Recreation Area – Indiana's largest-volume waterfall. Mill Creek plunges 20 feet in the set of Upper Falls, and a half a mile downstream the Lower Falls drops 18 feet, for a total drop of 86 feet including intermediate cascades. Autumn foliage colors were brilliant but water volume was low for this photo in mid October 2015. The park's limestone outcroppings formed millions of years ago when the region was covered by a large shallow ocean. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area is an hour southwest of Indianapolis, near Cloverdale, Indiana, USA.

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Fall colors reflect in Mill Creek, upstream of Lower Falls in Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, an hour southwest of Indianapolis, near Cloverdale, Indiana, USA. Autumn foliage colors were brilliant but water volume was low for this photo October 21, 2015. The park's limestone bedrock formed millions of years ago from skeletal remains of marine organisms (such as coral, forams and molluscs) when the region was covered by a large shallow ocean. This panorama was stitched from 23 overlapping photos.

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Vibrant fall colors reflect in Mill Creek, upstream of Lower Falls in Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, near Cloverdale, an hour southwest of Indianapolis, in Indiana, USA. Autumn foliage colors were brilliant but water volume was low for this photo October 21, 2015. The park's limestone outcroppings formed millions of years ago when the region was covered by a large shallow ocean. This panorama was stitched from 7 overlapping photos.

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Upper Falls, in Cataract Falls State Recreation Area – Indiana's largest-volume waterfall. Mill Creek plunges 20 feet in the set of Upper Falls, and a half a mile downstream the Lower Falls drops 18 feet, for a total drop of 86 feet including intermediate cascades. Autumn foliage colors were brilliant but water volume was low for this photo in mid October 2015. The park's limestone outcroppings formed millions of years ago when the region was covered by a large shallow ocean. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area is an hour southwest of Indianapolis, near Cloverdale, Indiana, USA. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.

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The 148-foot wooden Cataract Falls Covered Bridge was built in 1876 at the Upper Falls of Mill Creek (formerly known as Eel River) and was open to automobile traffic until 1988. The bridge now serves pedestrians and was extensively repaired starting in 2000. It is the only remaining covered bridge in Owen County. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area is an hour southwest of Indianapolis, near Cloverdale, Indiana, USA. The bridge was designed with a Smith's High Double Wood Truss (Smith Type 4), prefabricated in Toledo, Ohio and shipped disassembled for reassembly. Vibrant autumn foliage colors glowed for this panorama stitched from 5 overlapping photos captured October 21, 2015.

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Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, Indiana, USA. Cataract Falls, where two sets of falls on Mill Creek create a cascade that drops 86 feet, is the largest waterfall in Indiana. The upper falls plunges 20 feet; and the lower falls - a half a mile downstream - drops 18 feet. A 140-foot Smith Type 3 covered bridge was built at the upper falls in 1876 and was open to traffic until 1988. Cataract Bridge was restored in 1995.

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A handsome stone bridge of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 45.6) crosses over US-60 (which goes west to Buena Vista & Lexington and east to Amherst) in Virginia, USA. Notice the white stalactites forming under the old arched stones. The scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail. The Parkway is carried across streams, railway ravines and cross roads by 168 bridges and six viaducts. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a subset of the Appalachian Mountains.

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Indian Rocks, fall foliage color in mid October. Walk 0.3 miles to the impressive boulders of Indian Rocks from Indian Gap Parking Area (Milepost 47.5, elevation 2098 feet) on Blue Ridge Parkway, in Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains (a subset of the Appalachian Mountains), USA. The scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos. (I digitally removed human graffiti from the rock.)

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Fall colors in the Applachians. Walk 0.3 miles to the impressive boulders of Indian Rocks from Indian Gap Parking Area (Milepost 47.5, elevation 2098 feet) on Blue Ridge Parkway, in Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains (a subset of the Appalachian Mountains), USA. The scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail.

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Fall leaves turn yellow, orange, and red along the Blue Ridge Parkway (near Milepost 50) in Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains (a subset of the Appalachian Mountains), USA. The scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail.

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Fall leaves turn yellow along the Blue Ridge Parkway (near Milepost 50) in Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains (a subset of the Appalachian Mountains), USA. The scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail.

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See a lovely sunset view of the Blue Ridge Mountains (a subset of the Appalachian Mountains) at Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook (Milepost 44.9, elevation 2485 feet) on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Buena Vista, Virginia, USA. Local trees release hydrocarbons into the atmosphere and create a characteristic blue haze on pristine days as seen in this photo; but more often a white or gray haze obscures distant views due to air pollution. The scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.

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See impressive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the top of Waterrock Knob Trail. Fall leaves turn yellow, orange, and red in mid October. Start walking from the scenic National Park Visitor Center at Waterrock Knob, at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 451 in North Carolina, USA. Hike breathlessly 1.2 miles round trip with 400 feet gain to the summit of Waterrock Knob (elevation 6292 feet), the highest peak of the Plott Balsam Range, which is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a subset of the Appalachians. Local trees release hydrocarbons into the atmosphere and create a characteristic blue haze on pristine days as seen in this photo; but more often a white or gray haze obscures distant views due to air pollution. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following ridge crestlines and the Appalachian Trail. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.

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On the Blue Ridge Parkway, view brilliant fall colors in mid October, in North Carolina, USA. This photo is at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 455 in the Plott Balsam Range, within the Qualla Boundary between Soco Creek and Soco Gap. The Qualla Boundary is a land trust supervised by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs for the Tribe of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, who reside on the adjacent Reservation in western North Carolina. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Smokies are a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains.

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Atop the Unicoi Mountains in Tennessee, USA, the Cherohala Skyway reveals far-reaching views at Big Junction (5240 feet elevation) here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a subset of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Vibrant fall foliage colors start appearing in mid October at the highest elevations of Cherohala Skyway. Long in planning since 1958, the Cherohala Skyway opened to automobile traffic in 1996 – a new National Scenic Byway. The Skyway climbs over 4000 feet, starting at elevation 900 feet along Tellico River and reaching 5400 feet on the slopes of Haw Knob in North Carolina. The 43-mile paved road of the Cherohala Skyway follows Tennessee State Route 165 (SR-165 or TN 165) for 25 miles from Tellico Plains to the state line at Stratton Gap, then continues on North Carolina Highway 143 (NC 143) for 18 miles to Robbinsville. Cherohala combines the names of the two National Forests traversed: "Chero" from Cherokee and "hala" from Nantahala NF. The Skyway accesses various protected and recreational areas including Citico Creek Wilderness, Bald River Gorge Wilderness, and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

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Kahuna Falls, in Bald River Gorge Wilderness, Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, USA. Directions: from the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center in the town of Tellico Plains in Monroe County, TN, drive 4.5 miles east on the Cherohala Skyway (SR-165 or TN 165); then turn right on Tellico River Road (FS Road 210) for 7 miles to see Bald River Falls from an overpass and limited parking area. At the upper end of the parking lot, walk on FS Trail 88 a short way (upstream of Bald River Falls) to see Kahuna Falls and Bald River Cascades. Beware not to touch the bark of the Poison Sumac trees (Toxicodendron vernix, not pictured) along the stream here -- hugging my inner elbow onto their trunks to lean out for these photos gave me a badly swollen skin rash for 3 weeks! This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos. During the early 1900s, the forests of the Bald River and Tellico River basins were almost completely logged by the Babcock Lumber Company. The present Tellico River Road was built on the old logging railroad bed built by Babcock.

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Enjoy brilliant fall leaf colors in mid October atop Beacon Heights, a scenic half-mile round trip walk with 130 feet gain from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 305.2 in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, USA. Local trees release hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, creating a characteristic blue haze over the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a subset of the Appalachian Mountains. Beacon Heights Parking Area (elevation 4220 feet) is near the intersection with Hwy 221 (near Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road). This trail also connects with the Tanawha Trail (13.5 miles to Price Lake) and the Mountains to the Sea Trail. The scenic 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail. (Photographed October 12, 2015).

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Beacon Heights is a scenic half-mile round trip walk with 130 feet gain from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 305.2 in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, USA. Enjoy fall leaf colors in mid October atop an outcropping of quartzite rock. (Photographed October 12, 2015). Beacon Heights Parking Area (elevation 4220 feet) is near the intersection with Hwy 221 (near Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road). This trail also connects with the Tanawha Trail (13.5 miles to Price Lake) and the Mountains to the Sea Trail. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was built 1935-1987 to aesthetically connect Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, following crestlines and the Appalachian Trail. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a subset of the Appalachian Mountains.

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We enjoyed vivid red, orange and yellow fall foliage colors at Upper Falls Overlook in mid October. See impressive Linville Falls, in Burke County, in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, USA. Linville Falls drop 90 feet in a multi-level cascade, viewable from several overlooks along two trails starting from Linville Falls Visitors Center, run by the National Park Service. Directions: Turn eastwards at Mile Post 316.3 of the Blue Ridge Parkway (north of where US 221 crosses the Parkway and south of where NC 181 crosses). Linville River begins at Grandfather Mountain and enters the 12-mile Linville Gorge at Linville Falls. Linville Gorge, near the town of Linville Falls (66 miles north of Asheville), is the deepest and one of the most rugged and scenic gorges in the Eastern USA (qualifying for the nickname Grand Canyon of the East, along with more than a dozen chasms likewise tagged in other Eastern states). It is protected by Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, within Pisgah National Forest. Spared by its rugged terrain from clear-cutting in the early 1900s, Linville Gorge has some of the best remnant stands of uncut, old-growth forest in the southern Appalachians. This is one of the few places where the Rosebay, Catawba, and Carolina rhododendron grow side by side.

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From Upper Falls Overlook, see Linville River funnel down a turbulent chute which empties into Lower Falls hidden around the corner. Walk to see impressive Linville Falls, in Burke County, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, USA. Linville Falls drop 90 feet in a multi-level cascade, viewable from several overlooks along two trails starting from Linville Falls Visitors Center, run by the National Park Service. Directions: Turn eastwards at Mile Post 316.3 of the Blue Ridge Parkway (north of where US 221 crosses the Parkway and south of where NC 181 crosses). Linville River begins at Grandfather Mountain and enters the 12-mile Linville Gorge at Linville Falls. Linville Gorge, near the town of Linville Falls (66 miles north of Asheville), is the deepest and one of the most rugged and scenic gorges in the Eastern USA (qualifying for the nickname Grand Canyon of the East, along with more than a dozen chasms likewise tagged in other Eastern states). It is protected by Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, within Pisgah National Forest. Spared by its rugged terrain from clear-cutting in the early 1900s, Linville Gorge has some of the best remnant stands of uncut, old-growth forest in the southern Appalachians. This is one of the few places where the Rosebay, Catawba, and Carolina rhododendron grow side by side.

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See the intimate falls and cascades of Duggers Creek on a loop walk of 0.3 miles, starting from the parking lot of Linville Falls Visitors Center (run by the National Park Service), in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, USA. Directions: in Burke County, turn eastwards at Mile Post 316.3 of the Blue Ridge Parkway (north of where US 221 crosses the Parkway and south of where NC 181 crosses). Spared by its rugged terrain from clear-cutting in the early 1900s, Linville Gorge has some of the best remnant stands of uncut, old-growth forest in the southern Appalachians. This is one of the few places where the Rosebay, Catawba, and Carolina rhododendron grow side by side.

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Enjoy walking a 2.3-mile loop (and other trails) around the old city reservoir which provided water 1917-1944 and now serves as lake habitat, in Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium, an attractive nature preserve in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. Bays Mountain Park is the largest city-owned park in Tennessee and was declared a State Natural Area in 1973. As part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, the ridge of Bays Mountain runs southwest to northeast, from just south of Knoxville to Kingsport, in eastern Tennessee. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.

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Autumn foliage colors reflect in Bays Mountain Reservoir. Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium is an attractive nature preserve in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. Enjoy walking a 2.3-mile loop (and other trails) around the old city reservoir which provided water 1917-1944 and now serves as lake habitat. Bays Mountain Park is the largest city-owned park in Tennessee and was declared a State Natural Area in 1973. As part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, the ridge of Bays Mountain runs southwest to northeast, from just south of Knoxville to Kingsport, in eastern Tennessee.

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A rainbow glows in spray whipped up by 50 mph winds on Waterton Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Or maybe call it a spraybow! In 1932, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park joined Glacier National Park in Montana with Waterton. UNESCO honored Waterton-Glacier as a World Heritage Site (1995) containing two Biosphere Reserves (1976).

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A rainbow brightens clouds over the Highwood Creek Area, in Kananaskis Country, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Mountains in the background are in Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park.

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Orange sunrise light spotlights clouds over Kananaskis Country, Canadian Rockies, Alberta. Access the Mt Kidd Interpretive Trail from Mt Kidd RV Park. Kananaskis Country is a park system west of Calgary.

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Sunrise illuminates Mount Kidd in the Kananaskis Range of the Canadian Rockies, in Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Access the Mt Kidd Interpretive Trail from Mt Kidd RV Park. Kananaskis Country is a park system west of Calgary. This panorama was stitched from 5 overlapping photos.

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Beautiful Galatea Creek. Hike to Lillian Lake (7.5 miles round trip with 1614 gain) or on to Galatea Lakes (10 miles RT with 2214 ft gain) in Spray Valley Provincial Park, from H40 south of Kananaskis Village, in Kananaskis Country, Canadian Rockies, Alberta. Kananaskis Country is a park system west of Calgary. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping images.

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Sunrise illuminates Mount Kidd and reflects in Kananaskis River, in the Kananaskis Range of the Canadian Rockies, Alberta. Access the Mt Kidd Interpretive Trail from Mt Kidd RV Park in Kananaskis Country, which is a park system west of Calgary. This panorama was stitched from 9 overlapping photos.

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Sunrise spotlights Mount Kidd and reflects in Kananaskis River in the Kananaskis Range of the Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Access the Mt Kidd Interpretive Trail from the huge Mt Kidd RV Park. Kananaskis Country is a park system west of Calgary. This panorama was stitched from 11 overlapping photos.

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Mount Chester and yellow larches reflect in Chester Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. Chester Lake is a delightful hike of 5.2 miles round trip with 1000 ft gain through larch forest. Extending the hike to Three Lakes Valley is 7.8 miles RT with 1800 ft gain to a lake-dotted limestone barrens. Kananaskis Country is a park system in the Canadian Rockies west of Calgary. This panorama was stitched from 21 overlapping photos.

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Mount Chester rises above the Elephant Rocks and yellow larch trees in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. The Elephant Rocks are beautifully eroded limestone blocks of the Livingston Formation that have tumbled from slopes above. Chester Lake is a delightful hike of 5.2 miles round trip with 1000 ft gain through larch forest. Extending the hike to Three Lakes Valley is 7.8 miles RT with 1800 ft gain to a lake-dotted limestone barrens. Kananaskis Country is a park system in the Canadian Rockies west of Calgary. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.

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Mount Chester soars above a hiker on Chester Lake Trail, in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. Chester Lake is a delightful hike of 5.2 miles round trip with 1000 ft gain through larch forest. Extending the hike to Three Lakes Valley is 7.8 miles RT with 1800 ft gain to a lake-dotted limestone barrens. Kananaskis Country is a park system in the Canadian Rockies west of Calgary. This panorama was stitched from 11 overlapping photos.

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Peaks of the Bow Range reflect in Herbert Lake, Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885, and is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984.

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Peaks of the Bow Range reflect in Herbert Lake, Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Foreground fall color foliage turns orange and yellow in mid September. Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885, and is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984. This panorama was stitched from 5 overlapping images.

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Snow covers the Waputik Range above turquoise Peyto Lake (1860 m or 6100 ft), in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park, Alberta. Bill Peyto was an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area. Suspended rock particles of glacial rock flour create its bright turquoise colour. Bow Pass (2068 m or 6787 ft) is the highest point on the Icefields Parkway, and a side road leads to a nature trail to Peyto Viewpoint (and higher bus road to wheelchair access). The lake is fed by Peyto Creek, which drains water from Caldron Lake and Peyto Glacier (part of the Wapta Icefield). Peyto Lake is the origin of the Mistaya River, which heads northwest. Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984. This panorama was stitched from 9 overlapping images.

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Mt. Chephren (3307 m or 10,850 ft) soars above orange and yellow fall colors in Mistaya River Valley, Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Banff NP is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains, Alberta. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984.

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Mt. Chephren (3307 m or 10,850 ft) soars above Waterfowl Lakes in Mistaya River Valley along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Banff NP is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains, Alberta. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984. This panorama was stitched from 10 overlapping photos.

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Competing lichen colonies form an intricate polygon pattern on a rock along Lower Sunwapta Falls Trail in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984.

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Lower Sunwapta Falls, in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping images.

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A snow-dusted peak in the Queen Elizabeth Ranges rises above yellow aspen leaf colors in Maligne Valley, Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984.

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Aspen leaves glow yellow in mid September along Maligne River at Medicine Lake, in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Located in the Maligne Valley watershed, Medicine Lake is not really a lake but is a natural back up in the Maligne River that suddenly disappears underground. Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984.

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Fresh snow dusts Sirdar Mountain in the Colin Range at Medicine Lake in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Located in the Maligne Valley watershed, Medicine Lake is not really a lake but is a natural back up in the Maligne River that suddenly disappears underground. Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984.

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The volcanic pinnacle of Black Tusk rises above Black Tusk Lake (foreground) and Mimulus Lake, seen from Panorama Ridge Trail. The Black Tusk (2319 m or 7608 ft) is a remnant of an extinct andesitic stratovolcano which formed 1.3-1.1 million years ago: after long glacial erosion, renewed volcanism 170,000 years ago made the lava flow and dome forming the tooth-shaped summit. Panorama Ridge is 17 miles round trip with 5100 feet gain from Rubble Creek parking lot (or 6 miles/10k RT with 2066 ft/630m gain from either Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake Backcountry Campground). A hiking loop to Garibaldi Lake via Taylor Meadows Campground is 11 miles (18k) round trip, with 3010 ft (850m) gain. Garibaldi Provincial Park is east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada.

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From Panorama Ridge, admire the vibrant turquoise color of Garibaldi Lake, which comes from glacial flour suspended in meltwater from Sphinx and Sentinel Glaciers. Above the lake rises Mount Garibaldi (2678 m or 8786 ft), a potentially active stratovolcano in Garibaldi Provincial Park, east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler, in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. Below Mount Garibaldi are Table Mountain and Warren Glacier. Mount Garibaldi began erupting and growing steadily since 250,000 years ago and is the only major Pleistocene age volcano in North America known to have formed on top of a glacier. Although part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt within the Cascade Volcanic Arc, it is not considered part of the Cascade Range. The unusually-flat Table Mountain formed just 12,000 years ago from a lava eruption underneath a glacier! Regarding global warming and climate change: from the early 1700s to 2005, half (51%) of the glacial ice cover of Garibaldi Provincial Park melted away (reference: Koch et al. 2008, web.unbc.ca). The record of 1900s glacier ﬂuctuations in Garibaldi Park is similar to that in southern Europe, South America, and New Zealand, suggesting a common, global climatic cause. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping images.

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From stunning Panorama Ridge, Tom admires the vibrant turquoise color of Garibaldi Lake, which comes from glacial flour suspended in meltwater from Sphinx and Sentinel Glaciers. Above the lake rise Mount Garibaldi (2678 m or 8786 ft), a potentially active stratovolcano. Garibaldi Provincial Park is east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. A hiking loop to Garibaldi Lake via Taylor Meadows Campground is 11 miles (18k) round trip, with 3010 ft (850m) gain. Panorama Ridge is 6 miles (10k) RT with 2066 ft (630m) gain from either Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake Campground (or 17 miles RT with 5100 ft gain from Rubble Creek parking lot). For licensing options, please inquire.

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From stunning Panorama Ridge, admire the vibrant turquoise color of Garibaldi Lake, which comes from glacial flour suspended in meltwater from Sphinx and Sentinel Glaciers. Garibaldi Provincial Park is east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. A hiking loop to Garibaldi Lake via Taylor Meadows Campground is 11 miles (18k) round trip, with 3010 ft (850m) gain. Panorama Ridge is 6 miles (10k) RT with 2066 ft (630m) gain from either Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake Campground (or 17 miles RT with 5100 ft gain from Rubble Creek parking lot).

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The volcanic pinnacle of Black Tusk (2319 m or 7608 ft) rises above Mimulus Lake, Black Tusk Lake, and Helm Lake (left to right), seen from Panorama Ridge Trail. The Black Tusk is a remnant of an extinct andesitic stratovolcano which formed 1.3-1.1 million years ago: after long glacial erosion, renewed volcanism 170,000 years ago made the lava flow and dome forming the tooth-shaped summit. The top of Panorama Ridge is 17 miles round trip with 5100 feet gain from Rubble Creek parking lot (or 6 miles/10k RT with 2066 ft/630m gain from either Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake Backcountry Campground). A hiking loop to Garibaldi Lake via Taylor Meadows Campground is 11 miles (18k) round trip, with 3010 ft (850m) gain. Garibaldi Provincial Park is east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. This panorama was stitched from 12 overlapping images.

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The vibrant turquoise color of Garibaldi Lake comes from glacial flour suspended in meltwater from Sphinx and Sentinel Glaciers. Garibaldi Provincial Park is east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. A hiking loop from Rubble Creek parking lot to beautiful Garibaldi Lake via Taylor Meadows Campground is 11 miles (18k) round trip with 3010 ft (850m) gain. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping images.

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Granite pinnacles soar above krumholtz trees atop Castle Dome Trail in Castle Crags State Park, just west of Interstate 5, between the towns of Castella and Dunsmuir, in California, USA. One of my favorite hikes in the state is to Castle Dome, on an excellent trail 5.8 miles round trip with 2100 feet gain. Geology: although the mountains of Northern California consist largely of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, granite plutons intruded in many areas during the Jurassic period. Heavy Pleistocene glaciation eroded much of the softer surrounding rock leaving soaring crags and spires exposed. Exfoliation of huge, convex slabs of granite made rounded towers such as the prominent Castle Dome. This panorama was stitched from 13 overlapping photos.

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See Mount Shasta from Castle Dome Trail, in Castle Crags State Park, Castella, California. The majestic Castle Crags State Park is just west of Interstate 5, between the towns of Castella and Dunsmuir, in California, USA. One of my favorite hikes in the state is to Castle Dome, on an excellent trail 5.8 miles round trip with 2100 feet gain. Geology: although the mountains of Northern California consist largely of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, granite plutons intruded in many areas during the Jurassic period. Heavy Pleistocene glaciation eroded much of the softer surrounding rock leaving soaring crags and spires exposed. Exfoliation of huge, convex slabs of granite made rounded towers such as the prominent Castle Dome.

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Prominent windows front the home of James Stuart Cain, who was eventually the principal property owner in Bodie, which is now California's official state gold rush ghost town. Jessie McGath built this house for his new wife in 1879. In the 1890s, JS Cain bought it to live there with his wife until the 1940s. Cain moved to Bodie when he was 25 and built an empire starting with putting lumber barges on Mono Lake and transporting timber to support mine shafts, stoke boilers for machinery, build & heat buildings, and cook food. Cain and a business partner leased a block of land from the Standard Consolidated Mining Company which yielded $90,000 in gold in just 90 days. Cain eventually took control of the Stamp Mill though court action and went on to be one of the richest men in town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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Behind glass reflecting Bodie ghost town is a dress form in Boone Store and Warehouse (built 1879). This building was owned by Harvey Boone (a direct descendent of Daniel Boone), who may have owned a business longer than anyone else in town. Bodie is California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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Ramshackle wood door. Bodie is California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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Afternoon thunderstorm clouds loom over a panorama of historic Bodie and its Standard Stamp Mill. Bodie is California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.

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Dilapidated wood and iron siding ages at Bodie, California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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A looming pattern of clouds in the gray sky threatens to rain. Photographed at Bodie State Historic Park, California, USA.

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Dilapidated doors and interior of a ramshackle building at Bodie, California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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A reflection of wood siding obscures clothes hung in a bedroom within an old house at Bodie, California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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1927 Dodge Graham blue truck at antique gas station in Bodie, California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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Rustic wagon. Bodie is California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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Glass reflecting an abstract pattern of cumulus clouds obscures rows of bottles seen behind. These prominent windows front the finest home in Bodie, owned by James Stuart Cain from the 1890s - 1940s. Bodie is now California's official state gold rush ghost town. Jessie McGath originally built this house for his new wife in 1879, and JS Cain bought it in the 1890s. Cain moved to Bodie when he was 25 and built an empire starting with putting lumber barges on Mono Lake and transporting timber to support mine shafts, stoke boilers for machinery, build & heat buildings, and cook food. Cain eventually took control of the Stamp Mill though court action and went on to be the principal property owner and one of the richest men in town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962. This image was stitched from two photos to increase pixel count and potential print size.

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Dilapidated kitchen with dusty table, counter, and cupboard. Bodie is California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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A patina of rust streaks metal siding at Bodie, California's official state gold rush ghost town. Bodie State Historic Park lies in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, near Bridgeport, California, USA. After W. S. Bodey's original gold discovery in 1859, profitable gold ore discoveries in 1876 and 1878 transformed "Bodie" from an isolated mining camp to a Wild West boomtown. By 1879, Bodie had a population of 5000-7000 people with 2000 buildings. At its peak, 65 saloons lined Main Street, which was a mile long. Bodie declined rapidly 1912-1917 and the last mine closed in 1942. Bodie became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and Bodie State Historic Park in 1962.

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An intriguing island of tufa towers reflect in alkaline waters at South Tufa Area, in Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Lee Vining, California, USA. The Reserve protects wetlands that support millions of birds, and preserves Mono Lake's distinctive tufa towers -- calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. Mono Lake has no outlet and is one of the oldest lakes in North America. Over the past million years, salts and minerals have washed into the lake from Eastern Sierra streams and evaporation has made the water 2.5 times saltier than the ocean. This desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, and provides critical nesting habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and blackflies. Since 1941, diversion of lake water tributary streams by the city of Los Angeles lowered the lake level, which imperiled the migratory birds. In response, the Mono Lake Committee won a legal battle that forced Los Angeles to partially restore the lake level.

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An intriguing island of tufa towers reflect in alkaline waters colored with yellow algae at South Tufa Area, in Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Lee Vining, California, USA. The Reserve protects wetlands that support millions of birds, and preserves Mono Lake's distinctive tufa towers -- calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. Mono Lake has no outlet and is one of the oldest lakes in North America. Over the past million years, salts and minerals have washed into the lake from Eastern Sierra streams and evaporation has made the water 2.5 times saltier than the ocean. This desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, and provides critical nesting habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and blackflies. Since 1941, diversion of lake water tributary streams by the city of Los Angeles lowered the lake level, which imperiled the migratory birds. In response, the Mono Lake Committee won a legal battle that forced Los Angeles to partially restore the lake level.

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Intriguing towers of calcium-carbonate decorate the South Tufa Area, in Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Lee Vining, California, USA. The Reserve protects wetlands that support millions of birds, and preserves Mono Lake's distinctive tufa towers -- calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. Mono Lake has no outlet and is one of the oldest lakes in North America. Over the past million years, salts and minerals have washed into the lake from Eastern Sierra streams and evaporation has made the water 2.5 times saltier than the ocean. This desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, and provides critical nesting habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and blackflies. Since 1941, diversion of lake water tributary streams by the city of Los Angeles lowered the lake level, which imperiled the migratory birds. In response, the Mono Lake Committee won a legal battle that forced Los Angeles to partially restore the lake level. This panorama was stitched from 11 overlapping photos.

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Sierra Nevada peaks and tufa towers reflect in alkaline waters at South Tufa Area, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Lee Vining, California, USA. The Reserve protects wetlands that support millions of birds, and preserves Mono Lake's distinctive tufa towers -- calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. Mono Lake has no outlet and is one of the oldest lakes in North America. Over the past million years, salts and minerals have washed into the lake from Eastern Sierra streams and evaporation has made the water 2.5 times saltier than the ocean. This desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, and provides critical nesting habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and blackflies. Since 1941, diversion of lake water tributary streams by the city of Los Angeles lowered the lake level, which imperiled the migratory birds. In response, the Mono Lake Committee won a legal battle that forced Los Angeles to partially restore the lake level.

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An impressive array of pyramidal peaks reflect in the creek inlet to Chickenfoot Lake in Little Lakes Valley, John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Enjoy an easy, very rewarding hike from Mosquito Flat through Little Lakes Valley to Chickenfoot Lake and Gem Lakes. To reach the trailhead, turn off Highway 395 at Toms Place (15 miles south of Mammoth Junction) onto paved Rock Creek Road, and drive 10.5 miles to the end. We hiked the moderate trail to Morgan Pass, 7.5 miles round trip with 1250 feet cumulative gain; but you should skip the left turn to redundant Morgan Pass and instead turn right to visit the pretty Gem Lakes. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.

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$White and brown streaks form an intricate pattern on a cliff of fractured gray rock. Enjoy an easy, very rewarding hike from Mosquito Flat through Little Lakes Valley to Chickenfoot Lake and Gem Lakes in John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, Sierra Nevada, California, USA. To reach the trailhead, turn off Highway 395 at Toms Place (15 miles south of Mammoth Junction) onto paved Rock Creek Road, and drive 10.5 miles to the end. We hiked the moderate trail to Morgan Pass, 7.5 miles round trip with 1250 feet cumulative gain; but you should skip the left turn to redundant Morgan Pass and instead turn right to visit the pretty Gem Lakes.$