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My stay in Boise was nearing the end. My close friend Tad offered to

take me to an interesting place called Sapphire lake where he thought

I could get some nice photo opportunities. I think he was planning for

the best farewell of a kind a mountaineer, photographer and nature

lover would offer to another. I could hardly trust on anyone but Tad

about mountains and capturing beauty. I was ready to compromise on

anything for this, esp. this being my last trip to Idaho mountains. I

barely had time to work out as I was just finishing off 3 months of

hard study that supposedly added one more feather to my education

crown that I had made and I hoped the hike would be easy..but Tad had

some special idea :-)

 

The trailhead stood near the old mine more than 10 miles into the

mountains from the nearest paved road. After carrying our heavy

backpacks for about 4 miles and about 200 feet elevation gain we came

to the Calkens lakes. I would call this place as my destination at

other times, but reaching this wonderful basin high about 8500 feet

was as I later learned was my halfway break.

 

We had to ascend about 200feet more, and then climb down to the

sapphire lake. IT was already late, but we pushed on. We passed

through some divine land where very few men have reached or cared to

visit. That had made this area pristine and was a prime big horn sheep

habitat. Late afternoon light was reflecting from the high tundras.

Snow fields were fading in the higher areas and on the northern slopes

where light remained most of the day during the summer. Climb on the

loose boulders was getting harder. Physical energy was cautiously

being used and it rather was a challenge to the mental strength. With

help of Tad who helped along the way, I persevered. When we reached

the saddle at about 10700 feet we had already drenched with the

heavenly alpine glow coming from Sun on the east above the Sawtooth

mountains. We started our descent in the dark and lost our trail in

half an hour. With no light on the other side and we facing the steep

slope we took a wise decision....return to the saddle. As it had the

only place slightly in parallel to the horizontal plane...and that

place was nothing but the snow cornice hanging. It wasn;t soft,

neither it was flat at all, but we could just lay down there. Ww took

the chances as I also wanted to get up early and capture the majestic

peak of mount D.O.Lee with the snow.

 

When we woke up in the morning I witnessed a magical morning with pink

glow above the Sawtooth and White cloud mountains as well as the dark

skyline of the high ridges of the Lost river range. When the first

light hi D. O. Lee I was prepared. Here I tried to capture this high

mountain wilderness with the snow cornice that extended towards its

ridge, heavy snowfields on its slopes, distant mountains and the

heavenly mountain light.

Lalit... Striking majesty and the light is heavenly. Thanks for sharing the story also, and I would add that all your efforts were worth it.

 

A Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you and your family... Mike

 

 

This photo is all about light and excellent retention of details at the shadow area.

Lalit.... this is truly a different kind of shot in your portfolio. But a very good one.... love the true mountain scene look this one has... love the colors and your story. The only suggestion is to change the location under the image details, it says, Country - India. That really got me excited :-) But then realized Boise is in Idaho... :-) ...great job Lalit...regards, Rajeev