in the low country has bolstered the snowpack in the high country, now at 76% of the median snow water equivalent, following very closely to the 2022 water year.
This year’s snowpack (black line) compared with 2022 (teal line).
First ascent of Castleton Tower...
by a polar bear occurred today when a new climbing route was pioneered on the north side of the sandstone monolith that goes 5.11c! You saw it here first.
UPDATE: Another one of my creatively manipulated images made it into this week’s Castle Valley Comments. Hah.
Soft light over Porcupine Rim...
at sunset with high wind and freeze warnings in the forecast.
Half-dressed for breeding season...
as the winter coat is changed out for more brilliant breeding plumage. Gotta look sharp for the ladies.
Male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis).
Don't believe everything you see these days...
given that AI-driven functionality is being incorporated into nearly all software and apps. My neighbor and riding companion wanted a snap of himself riding across Castle Creek, however, the flow had been diverted leaving a dry channel at the singletrack crossing. Photoshop’s “Generative Fill” function nicely simulated a gently flowing stream where one does not exist. Remarkable.
This solitary muley buck...
is one among more than 50 in a small herd that regularly aggregates behind the house around dusk. They’ll be moving up the valley now that spring has arrived.
Mule deer buck (Odocoileus hemionus). Click image to embiggen.
Here are the annotated La Sal Mountains...
as seen from a remote trailhead into Arches National Park, freshly dressed with snow on the last day of winter. The vernal equinox occurs tomorrow.
Click on image to enlarginate.
A seldom-used entry point for hikers into Arches National Park.
Back into the green...
as the median snow water equivalent climbs to 102% on Saint Patrick’s Day. Seems appropriate.
The luminous La Sals above Fisher Towers.
Back to median snowpack, with two weeks to go until the peak.
Level 1 certification was achieved today...
by successfully launching and recovering the high-power HV Arcas model rocket with an “H” motor to 2,314 feet (705 meters). Here are several images taken at the remote launch site on the Colorado - Utah state line. It’s very good and quite satisfying to set and achieve lofty goals in retirement.
HV Arcas on the launch rail, prepped for liftoff on a reloadable Aerotech H128-8W engine.
Blast off!
Thumbs up on a successful soft touchdown under parachute about 1,500 feet (450 meters) down range.
The flight recorder showed that the rocket’s top speed was 391 mph with 16.1 G peak acceleration for a flight lasting 146 seconds.
HV Arcas launch video courtesy BH. “That’s the up part!”
Look who's going for a ride...
in the live trap, down to the river for release, as the springtime varmint wars commence around the house. This is number two.
Rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus).
In memory of Rory Tyler...
and the many experiences we shared together in canyon country, I can offer a few images shot while recording his poetry at various locations or examining and debating the symbolic meaning of rock art. I shall indeed miss his good humor and insights in the field, particularly in archeoastronomy.
Click on any image to enlarge.
Nearly back to normal...
snow water content in the high country as a result of several late-winter storms this month. But the valleys remain exceptionally dry, with my gauge recording only 0.15 inches (~4 mm) of precipitation from yesterday’s storm.
Lingering clouds obscure the higher La Sal Mountains where snow is almost certainly still falling this morning.
Current SNOTEL data showing 92% median snow water equivalent in the snowpack with 18 days to go to the median peak.
The nearly full Worm Moon...
clears the prow of Adobe Mesa early this evening. In two days there will be a total lunar eclipse, but unfortunately the weather forecast predicts cloudy conditions in southeastern Utah this Friday evening.
A unique and engaging local character...
has shuffled off this mortal coil, when, sadly, creative narrative poet and rock art expert Rory Tyler passed away at home in Castleton, Utah last Friday. Close friends are gathering with Rory’s brother in order to determine how to preserve his on-going academic work on local rock art and to honor his legacy.
Rory Paul Tyler, 1950 - 2025, RIP.
An early aerial sunrise...
is captured over central Idaho as my trajectory boomerangs back to canyon country.
Mount Timpanogos looms more than 7,000 feet (2,130 meters) above greater downtown Provo, Utah and Utah Lake.
Dissected pediments extend below the Book Cliffs near Sunnyside, Utah.
An early morning departure...
from GJT to SLC and onward to GEG yielded several interesting views when the weather allowed. Remember, geologists always get window seats.
View northwestward across Grand Junction, Colorado shortly after departure. The sinuous dark area is the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers.
View northward, turning into the Salt Lake Valley over Utah Lake with the snow-covered Wasatch Mountain front.
The historic earthen causeway for the Lucin Cutoff railroad line separates the Great Salt Lake into two waterbodies with differing aquatic ecologies.
A peculiar roller cloud, about 40 miles (64 km) in length along its north-south axis, sits atop and defines Hells Canyon in Idaho.
The view from "Contemplation Station"...
near the base of Round Mountain, another frequently visited waypoint on my near-daily mountain bike rides. The energy is strong here and it focuses one’s mind, aligns your chi and calibrates your chakras.
Knocking on wood and a flash of color...
in the cottonwoods signals the presence of a woodpecker.
Male “Red-shafted” Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus).
The view from "Inspiration Station"...
of the incredible landscape of Castle Valley National Park is nothing less than spectacular on an equally spectacular afternoon.
A supremely superb late-winter day...
in Castle Valley National Park. The singletrack beckons.
