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Saturday, December 12, 2015

Snow in the Desert

The morning after the desert snowstorm, the world looked alien. Here was a view of K's Rock from a distance. It was a red rock desert with fresh snow!

As I rode around the area that morning, I was awed by the juxtaposition of snow and red rock. Although it was a chilly day, the desert looked beautiful, and I immensely enjoyed exploring.

By that afternoon, a slickrock area where we hiked was totally clear of snow. The rock retains heat from the sun so well that it melts away the snow very fast! The areas surrounding the slickrock were still white but the rock itself was amazingly clear. At the center of the slickrock, there was the most amazing rock structure.

That cone was a little too steep for hiking but there were wide open areas where we could play.

We even saw some sunshine around sunset, which warmed us all.

We thought that our desert winter interlude was over. The evening began with perfectly clear skies and zillions of stars twinkling. Then, just as rapidly as the day before, a storm engulfed us. The stars disappeared. The world was silent and inky black when I went to sleep.

I slept so well that night that I didn't know that it was snowing. We awakened to another few inches of the white stuff. My bike and tripod were encased in white fluffy snow, as were all the plants in the desert.

Shyla loved desert snow just like she loves snow at home.

As we packed up camp to head home because our desert time was over, she seemed to want to stay!

Alas, we had no choice but for our desert sojourn to end - it was time to head back to the mountains. This was our last view during a short hike before we left that afternoon. You can see that a lot of the snow had melted in just a few hours.
I've grown to love the desert more than I ever expected. It puts life in perspective as we are such tiny specks compared to the looming rock structures shaped by eons of wind and water. The desert's landscape seems utterly alien compared to home, which is another reason why I love it so much. I hope that we can visit again this winter... but I know that we will definitely be back there in the springtime!

17 comments:

  1. Wow! It's so amazing how completely different the desert looks when it's covered in snow! I love those photos of Shyla! She looks like she's having a blast!

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  2. Amazing! I was waiting for this and you did not disappoint. The contrasts are so beautiful.
    Blessings,
    Buddy

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  3. It is so amazing how the weather changes so much in the desert. The pictures of Shyla always put a smile on my face!!

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  4. Those sure are amazing and I really can't wrap my paw around all that beauty.

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  5. Amazing. I must admit that is my kind of snow. Beautiful but quickly gone.

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  6. I can't get over how beautiful the desert looks with snow!!

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  7. That final photo of Shyla looks Christmas-card worthy!!

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  8. We enjoyed our virtual trip to the desert with you very much. The pups here would love that snow, even if it isn't very much.

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  9. These photos are spectacular,, and that you share with us,, makes us able to enjoy all your worlds.
    There are no words to describe the beauty,,
    love
    tweedles

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  10. it's wonderful! and it looks like someone used a lot of icing sugar :o)

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  11. The colors are just fabulous! Your photos are always so beautiful, KB.

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  12. Winter is just getting started there. So pretty.

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  13. One winter mom and dad went to Bryce canyon when there was lots of snow. It is quite stunning against the red rock!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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