Because much of southern California lies at a relatively low altitude, several peaks in the surrounding mountain ranges are very prominent, and are quite impressive. Two of the twenty most prominent summits in the United States–San Jacinto Peak (10,834′) and San Gorgonio Mountain (11,503′)–are located here, and are both visible Palm Springs, in the Coachella Valley.
San Gorgonio Mountain, January 2011
Both peaks tower over the valley by more than two miles, one of the most impressive vertical drops in the United States. Because of the gap created by these two high mountain ranges, high winds often occur at the entrance to the Coachella Valley. As a result, a very large wind farm is maintained in this area; some of the windmills are visible in the image above, at the base of San Gorgonio Mountain.
Ambitious hikers can hike San Jacinto Peak from the valley floor–a vertical ascent over more than 10,000′! Others–like me–take the aerial tramway from Palm Springs to an elevation of 8,500′, making for a much more reasonable hike. Ultra-ambitious hikers who take on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) must descend 10,000′ down the San Jacinto Mountains into the Coachella Valley, and almost immediately re-ascend almost the same height back into the San Bernardino Mountains (where San Gorgonio Mountain is located). The constant up and down hiking through southern California’s mountains makes the southern part of the PCT rather unenjoyable for PCT through-hikers. I can understand why.
San Jacinto Peak, January 2011
I was able to photograph these two impressive mountains last weekend as we got an early start driving to Phoenix. We’ve had unseasonably warm temperatures in southern California for the last week or so due to a high pressure system over the Great Basin, but the snow is still heavy at the high altitudes, as you can see in these photos. The thing I like about these peaks is that you can go from a true desert ecosystem to an alpine ecosystem, while coving a very small horizontal distance.
I hope you enjoy these impressive mountains as much as I do!
Looks like some fine country to explore. I’m looking forward to getting acquainted with that area, though I think I’ll pass on the two mile vertical climb.
Excellent photos Greg.
Thanks for sharing these Greg. Very enjoyable. I hope to get over this ways someday myself, and I’ll be sure to remember your photos when I do.
Thanks for the comments, guys!
PJ, there are definitely some hidden gems in both of these ranges that make them worth exploring. I don’t have as much time as I’d like, but I plan on exploring more this year.
Robert, you definitely should come out here sometime…its fantastic with so much to explore!
After your very kind comments I decided to look you up. It looks like we have tromped around a lot of the same places.
Among your favorite images is the image of a stick laying in the Pink Coral Sand Dunes. I really like this one myself. Sometimes the “simplest” images are the most striking.
I see you have added a link to my site. Thank you very much. The other reason for this post was to ask you if you would mind my linking to your site.
If you are ever up Bishop way give me a call.
Hi, Greg. Thanks so much for *your* kind comment; of course you can link to my site.
We have spent time in much of the same country, and we’re in Bishop several times each year–I’ll definitely shoot you an email before our next trip!
Cheers,
Greg
P.S. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes image you talked about is one of my absolute favorites.
Beautiful light in both the images. I’ve driven thought those wind farms, and they make an impressive sight.
Thanks, Alister. I need to explore the area a bit more and figure out how to get some silhouettes of the windmills…
These are both beautiful photographs. I like the subtle pinks, blues and purples. I had an very interesting conversation the other day with Gary Crabbe about photographer influences, “magic hour” and alpenglow. As you may know, he started as a photographer working for Galen Rowell. Anyway, I wrote a comment that I thought might offend him. I said that I thought his sunset images were more profitable than of high quality like his other photographs. He is a very nice guy and a long-time professional photographer. Apparently he was not offended at all. He did make an excellent point in defense of photographs of Sierra and other mountain alpenglow with just the tips lit up, reminiscent of Galen Rowell’s work. He said that many people became photographers because of Sierra sunsets and sunrises. He also said that while they had been done before, many photographs of high mountain lakes with peaks reflected cause him to feel nostalgic about some of the best memories in his life of being in the high Sierra. How could I disagree either with the logic or with the argument put across with such a winning charm and kind voice? I couldn’t and I can’t because some of my best memories of my life are of mountain sunsets and sunrises when I think about it. So you keep on doing your mountain alpenglow. I no longer consider myself a detractor, especially since I see in much of your later imagery a solid attempt and success at capturing something a bit different and unique. Try to keep doing that too. Best wishes my friend.
Thank you for this thoughtful insight, David. I think Gary’s defense is a good one. I can remember many cold mornings as a Boy Scout waiting for the sunlight to work its way down the mountainside to warm me up. While I may not consciously be aware of those mornings when I’m waiting for the light to hit the peak, it does make me very happy to be out at sunrise, waiting for the great show Mother Nature is about to put on.
You mentioned that my photography isn’t all about those sunrises/sunsets–you’re right. As my relationship with Mother Nature evolves, I realize those aren’t the only times of the day she’ll show us beauty. 🙂