An unusually warm day greeted all with interests in the canyon. (Little Cottonwood canyon) Sightseers, hikers, photographers, artists and skiers all found their interests joyfully accommodate With temperatures near 60 deg (f) the day was savored as one of those last autumn days.
The mountain scenery is in a realm of transition. A transition that will now likely span a very short period of time. Patches of snow and patches of earth come together in stark contrasts of light and dark as well as soft subtle blends that seem as to melt together. Creating and providing a gentle transition between the seasons invoking a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.
From a visual perspective the warm greens and blues of the tall slender pines and fir trees are as welcome friends. Friends there throughout all seasons, all conditions, be that comfortable or harsh. With the dark majestic pines set against but also an integral part of the mountains upper snow filled valleys and bowls the conifers dark, sometimes as dark and as formidable as towers of black steel but with an organic form and structure. Their presence perhaps providing for hope and faith as a solid unmovable constant element in an not so stable world. A world in transition and in flux. Not just the physical flux of global warming and changing climates but flux in terms of the social and economic effects on human happiness, prosperity and existence. Giant conifers who if properly appreciated may and can stand as a symbol or foundation in a changing environment. Giants whose needs also need to be considered and thought of when realizing our individual footprints.
Gazing with the eye to the sky in most all directions are jagged rock outcroppings and cliffs of both smooth granite and others as rough and jagged are only as one might conceive and as only nature could form. Cliffs and rock outcroppings that excite, delight and challenge the artists attempt to represent such diverse forms. A range of color all in and on one mountain slope. Blues, blue violets, chalky white interlaced with subtitle shades of greens. Contrasted colors of ochers, sienna's and umbers on rock outcroppings and steep well defined draws. All of the eye candy must quickly be observed and appreciated as even a small cloud casting shadows against the canyons walls instantly change the whole color pallette.
Vivid bright color and spent up energy were also joyful elements of my observations this Thanksgiving day at the Snowbird. Although climatically warm with substantial effort the enthusiastic crew at Snowbird used there snow making equipment to supplement what natural snow had fallen to get one ski run open. The anxious skiers and snowboarders were seemingly delighted as I perceived from the happy faces and smiles of those looping back to the lift for one more run. The parking lot was also an indicator of contentment. Individuals with stoves cooking what looked like a great afternoon picnic.
