approaching spring

Spring comes later to the mountains. A winter storm left snow frosting all the trees when I went out to take this photo. I really liked the wind-sculpted ridges in the snow.

The "mud season" is around the corner, but until then, great days like this are wonderful times to go for hikes in the snow.  The sun is getting pretty high in the sky now, and it feels much warmer than the thermometer would have you believe.

Walking in Sunshine

Sun, wind, gravity, and the unlerlying terrain create unusual shapes in the snow.

This scene was not far from the Marble Road, near the Bogan Flats campground.

More from the Crystal River

Another snowstorm, another snowshoe outing.  The pillowy shapes formed by the snow on the rocks and river banks make the scene look like a fancy dessert.Snowshapes on the river keep drawing me back for more.