Everyone in town has been baffled - how have we not had a true snow yet? Sure, we got one little dusting, but the lack of precipitation has the locals worried. Without the moisture, the national forests are in major danger and run the risk of being closed to recreational activities, making the issue especially important to the nature-lovers in Flagstaff (there are a few of them out here).
Well, we finally got the first real snow on Friday of five inches or so, and the snow continued to dump another seven inches or so overnight and into the day. It made for a TOTAL winter wonderland on Saturday, so Felipe and I decided to go on a little adventure down the 89A towards Sedona.
Well, we finally got the first real snow on Friday of five inches or so, and the snow continued to dump another seven inches or so overnight and into the day. It made for a TOTAL winter wonderland on Saturday, so Felipe and I decided to go on a little adventure down the 89A towards Sedona.
We packed up our gear and set off. We wanted to take the opportunity to witness some of the effects of elevation on snow accumulation, and to see if we could catch a few glimpses of red rocks covered in snow.
Near Flagstaff, the snow continued to pile up. By the Overlook at the top of the Mogollon Rim it was knee-deep, so Felipe and I took turns sprinting through the fresh powder.
The snow on the Overlook itself provided a fantastic case study in ecology. Because different types of trees (mainly Ponderosa Pine vs. Douglas Fir around here) hold snow differently, the snow allowed us to spot different tree types from quite far away. Douglas Firs tend to hold more snow on them, and they have a much more conical shape. Ponderosas, however, do not hold as much snow and they retain their green hue and round shape.
From our vantage point at the Overlook, we could clearly see that the south-facing slope (which gets more sun) was totally dominated by Ponderosa Pines. The north-facing slope, on the other hand, was covered in Douglas Fir trees, with a few Ponderosas visible just before the rim of the canyon.
Can you tell which way I was facing when I took this picture?
Near Flagstaff, the snow continued to pile up. By the Overlook at the top of the Mogollon Rim it was knee-deep, so Felipe and I took turns sprinting through the fresh powder.
The snow on the Overlook itself provided a fantastic case study in ecology. Because different types of trees (mainly Ponderosa Pine vs. Douglas Fir around here) hold snow differently, the snow allowed us to spot different tree types from quite far away. Douglas Firs tend to hold more snow on them, and they have a much more conical shape. Ponderosas, however, do not hold as much snow and they retain their green hue and round shape.
From our vantage point at the Overlook, we could clearly see that the south-facing slope (which gets more sun) was totally dominated by Ponderosa Pines. The north-facing slope, on the other hand, was covered in Douglas Fir trees, with a few Ponderosas visible just before the rim of the canyon.
Can you tell which way I was facing when I took this picture?
In Oak Creek Canyon, we encountered an even steadier storm - except that this time snow was falling upon the famous red rocks. It was an unbelievable sight that, to me, conveyed the power of a storm to transform a landscape.
As we reached Sedona Proper, the storm began to break. We watched as clear skies began to appear to the South, and as the dark storm clouds continued North, rising upwards onto the rim.
... And then it was gone. The storm left behind only fleeting memories of its presence on the desert flora, and hope in the hearts of a couple young men that more storms are to come.
