Month: October 2014
Sky Caught in Reflection
It started getting darker and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to stick around for sunset or head out. The weather was cloudy and it looked like it wasn’t going to amount to much. But then the clouds parted a bit and the sky revealed itself. I quickly adjusted the camera and caught the sky’s reflection in the lake.
First Snow
Pulled into the parking lot just below the dam. This is the first time I’ve ever stopped on that side of Caples Lake. You can see how high the water line is on the rocks across the lake. Hopefully the first snow of the season will bring more for the coming winter. Until then, the snow provided an additional element to this cold & misty fall afternoon.
Mist Rising on Caples Lake
Rainy weather in Tahoe, changed up the plans for the past weekend. Instead of staying in Tahoe and being cooped up in the house while it rained, we packed up and headed home. I typically drive along HWY 88 back to the Bay Area. Just as I came across Caples Lake I noticed the mist rising on the lake. I had to stop and take a few photos.
Limited Visibility
The Mt. Rose trail starts out around 8800′ in elevation and climbs steadily with views over Tahoe Meadow and Lake Tahoe. Inclement weather brought cloud cover over the lake and limited the visibility. Towards the end of our hike, the weather changed from patchy clouds, to cloudy, to light snow all within a couple of hours.
Trailblazing Pup II
I love hiking with my dog. She has so much fun, you can see it in her face when she’s in the forest. Although, this day hike there wasn’t as much scenery with the low cloud cover. It didn’t stop my pup from exploring and having a great time.
Mt. Rose Trailhead
Last weekend, headed up to the Mt. Rose trailhead to hike up to Galena Falls. From the beginning of the trail you can see Lake Tahoe through the clouds and Tahoe Meadow just below in gold. The gold tones of Fall are just starting to peep in the mountains.
Trailblazing Pup
Going here and there in search of vermin, the trailblazing pup!
Granite Pegmatites
Walked across this ridge and it was loaded with quartz crystals. You can see the faint veins of white running through the granite. When I got back, I searched the web for “red granite with crystals” and this is what I learned.
What is Pegmatite?
Pegmatites are extreme igneous rocks that form during the final stage of a magma’s crystallization. They are extreme because they contain exceptionally large crystals and they sometimes contain minerals that are rarely found in other types of rocks.
To be called a “pegmatite,” a rock should be composed almost entirely of crystals that are at least one centimeter in diameter. The name “pegmatite” has nothing to do with the mineral composition of the rock.
Most pegmatites have a composition that is similar to granite with abundant quartz, feldspar and mica. These are sometimes called “granite pegmatites” to indicate their mineralogical composition.
Colors and Textures
Some people might find this photo of a rock, a tree and a mountain. What I see is the rusty hues in the boulder, hard and mottled with lichen. A tree with textured bark that reaches down into the roots. A peak in the distance with lofty white clouds of various shapes and size set in a blue sky. To me, lots of cool colors and textures.
Great View, Great Companion
There are great views to enjoy around every corner of a trail. The journey is even better when you have a great companion to share it with. Here I am with my pup, and we’re enjoying the great outdoors!
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Snapshots by Kats 