Sentinel Spring

This is one of those views that is so powerful.  In one way, it’s hard to believe something so beautiful is located right in our backyard.  In another way, this really feels like Upper Park.  Patches of grass and trees using what little soil available to survive, surrounded everywhere by rock.

As much as I like sunrise and sunset, there is a lot to be said for mid-day.  In many ways it can be harder to capture a dynamic image, but it’s that much more rewarding when it does happen.  When I first came upon this spot, I was shocked.  It is so beautiful, only a few miles from my home and I had never been here.  That first day offered no real chance for an exciting image.  In fact, we ended up in pretty solid rain most of the way back.  Those conditions didn’t bug me at all because I knew what I had just seen.  Now I just needed to be there on the right day.

After several attempts where the weather didn’t cooperate, I got to this day.  The clouds in the sky and their shadows on the ground were giving me a lot of possibilities.  After waiting in this one spot for several hours I got what I wanted.  The sun broke through in just the center of the landscape creating a natural vignette.  It feels like a spotlight has highlighted Sentinel Point alone.  At the same time a section of blue sky was exposed.  One of those moments where determination, planning and a little luck all come together.  I was all smiles on the hike back.