Thursday, December 2, 2010

Skywatch-Snowy Peaks


Yes folks, this view is less than one mile from my house.. of course it's not always quite so dramatic as this, which I caught right after a winter storm. (Please click for the detailed view).  This is a section of Tahquiz Peak, one of the lesser peaks on Mt. San Jacinto where we live.  The large, tooth-shaped outcropping in the foreground is known as Lily Rock... it has a 1000' sheer face (on what would be the left side of this view) and is known as one of the best rock climbs in the west. Just a few weeks ago, some climbers had to be rescued from near the top after getting caught in a sudden nasty turn of the weather... they were very lucky that highly skilled people were available and willing to save their butts.  If any of you are into rock climbing, you can read some more about it here.
The main part of Idyllwild sits in a kind of valley out of view at the bottom of this shot... we live about 4 miles past the main village and 1000' higher up in a separate little settlement... and most every day get to drive past several spots where you can see across the valley to these peaks.  Looking in the other direction, we can see almost to the ocean on a clear day.
Check out the SkyWatch homepage every weekend for more great sky images from all around the world.

14 comments:

Rose said...

Superb photo lucky you to have a mountain in your back yard you must be spoiled for choice of shots with the scene forever changing in different seasons and changes in the weather :)

Anonymous said...

How do you get anything done w/ mountains in view such as that, incredibly AWESOME!

Gabriela Abalo said...

Awesome please to be!!! great shot



cheers from Uruguay :)

Laura said...

Gorgeous!

Springman said...

What a dramatic place to live. Your talent and intent are obvious. Your eye is a gift!

Randi said...

What a beautiful place to live in. This is an amazing and dramatic shot...love it!

Unknown said...

Mark, you really seem to live in an amazing place.
I can't stay indifferent to such a view. Makes me think to some place of the South Alps here.

I hope you can stay warm.
This week it was my turn to spend hours and hours cleaning the snow around the house before being able to move the cars.

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully dramatic!

Yoshi said...

Wow, you live in such a great place. It must be one of the closest place to heaven!
Beautiful B&W image.
Have a wonderful weekend.

donnie said...

great - you capture the treacherousness well :))

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

magnificent, beautiful shot

Anonymous said...

That's an amazing view :-) All I can see from my window are rooftops :-(

betchai said...

i am jealous, you have such beautiful view in your backyard. love the scenery, did not know Mt. San Jacinto is that beautiful, but of course, have not explored it much.

PhotoDiction said...

a most dramatic view! The bw gives it a cold and dangerous feel, while still providing the sense of awe that such a place inspires.