Timpanogos Basin Panorama

There's still time. If you missed peak wildflowers in Albion Basin, there's still time to see the best wildflower display in the state. This Timp Basin panorama was created less than a week ago. Of course, you can't just drive right up to these wildflowers, but anyone willing to make the ten mile round trip trek will be rewarded. It will take reasonably fit hikers 2 to 3 hours to reach the basin on the Timponeeke trail. Although the distance makes this a moderate hike, the trail maintains a gentle grade nearly all the way. In order to be there for the best light requires either camping or hiking in the dark. Mid-day light, on a blue sky day, is usually less than inspiring. Dramatic mid-day images can be achieved with a little help from the weather - inclement weather can make for great images. Wind is the biggest problem, whether you're shooting during mid-day stormy weather or at sunset or sunrise. Sunrise is typically the calmest.
This image was made shortly before sunset. Luckily it was realatively calm, so I attempted to create several panoramas. I've made the trek to see the Timpanogos Basin wildflowers at least once a year for the past ten years. This was the first time I've tried to create panoramas. This image was created by stitching together five vertical images. It was a real thrill for me to do something different in a place that now seems so familiar.

I spent the night on top of the Pfeifferhorn in order to take this image at sunrise. Not really a great place to camp, but I wanted to be able to stay put after a sunset photo session and just slide out of my bag to photograph the sunrise. This was the second time I spent the night on top of a mountain, at over 11,000 ft. elevation. The chance for unique photography is enhanced by the fact that most people don't ever see summit views at the edges of the day. I love how the high western wall of Hogum Fork hides the Salt Lake Valley. Only the Oquirrh and Stasbury mountains in the distance. This view into the heart of the Lone Peak Wilderness, in close proximity to over a million people, is truly wild.