For six days now, Moab has been under the weather... literally. A temperature inversion, refusing to budge, has shrouded the entire valley in a sickly stratum of freezing fog. I was within a few hours of making a getaway. Tucson, Sedona, Vegas -- anywhere that wasn't completely cloudy and cold (read: highs in the teens).

Then, just before cementing my decision to leave, I had an idea. I decided to see if I could get ABOVE the clouds. A quick drive up to the Island In The Sky convinced me that it was not only possible, but sublime, to do so. Now I'm actually relishing the inversion, trying to savor it from both above and below. Here are some pictures from the last few days.

Yesterday witnessed me breaking through the fogline along the 24 Hours Of Moab Course. The route was rather snowy. Here's the "trail":

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/WinterTrailAboveInversion.jpg

After a ride of several miles and a hike of several more, I reached my destination. There were no footprints to indicate that anyone had been here in quite some time. The snow was about 6" deep.

Here Mt. Tuk and its companions are visible above the fog stratum:

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/TukVista4.jpg

This particular hike led me to a rock-art boulder, perched above a pool as such. Hoarfrost remained ubiquitous.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/PetroglyphPoolInWinter.jpg

Note, on a clear day the petroglyphs are reflected in the pool.

Another hike, this one well below the clouds, led me up a creek which incises a deep canyon. Six days of freezing fog with NO sunshine has left everything at lower elevation covered in crystalline hoarfrost, as such:

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/HoarfrostTreeInFrontOfRedrock.jpg

From The Island In The Sky yesterday:

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/WinterSunsetAtGreenRiverOverlook2.jpg

Emerging from an ocean of fog, again at Island In The Sky:

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/SurfacingSubmarine.jpg

Amazing photos hfly. I especially love the one framed inside the arch. I've got a new wallpaper for awhile now.

Contemplative, Petroglyphic Shadow.

This again is the Island In The Sky, yesterday at sunset.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/SelfPetroglyphPortrait.jpg

Thanks for viewing and good rides to everyone!

hfly
moabdublab AT citlink DOT net

Thanks for advising to wait until replying. Just beautiful....thks

Awww, I honestly waited till the last one was posted. Did you delete your last image, hfly, and then repost it or something? Agh...I'm just too slow on dial-up.


--edit-- This is odd...when I hit quick reply, it puts my reply one message up from the bottom...even if I was the last one to post. --edit--

Wonderful shots. Thanks.
Now to figure out which one's to be the new wallpaper.

Great shots. What camera do you have and how much processing do you (Sharpen unmask, contrast, etc.)

... pics!!! Thanks hfly. Y'always post great scenery shots!

Randy

Thanks for the Hit,

very sweet photos.

b

had one like that here on the 'shore in the late '90's, cold and wet down below, and like you after a few days...ventured above the cloud line and rode in sunshine and mid 50's temp, it was like spring. We get them also up at Whistler, but they tend to be more temperature related than cloud cover, but both happen.

Fascinating shots, thanks, I guess now I can go off to work *sigh*

Jim

You've made up my mind on my next vacation location.

Awesome pics, HFly!! Red rock, blue sky, white snow - how patriotic!

You've captured the essence. Amazing. How can one not get sappy and full of rainbowy bliss when they see this stuff?
It's why we ride.

High-Res versions of these available anywhere?

Impressive pics, very nice.

Gui

Great shots hfly, never seen Moab like that before! Good work on getting out despite the elements, for the elements! Those kinds of discoveries can be pretty dang cool.

Nice pics, hfly.

Wow, you really captured the beauty of the landscape. Thanks for the awesome photos. I bet you wish you had gone up above the fog sooner.

Spike

Beautiful! I always enjoy your photos.

Nice Pics, what it the elevation there?
Peace
John

Thanks for sharing.

Totaly agree. Beautiful, and the arch shot is my favorate. Thanks for posting them...

tim

Stunning.

You live in one of the most scenic and visually stimulating places I've ever seen.
Some of the pics you've posted on Passion are among my favorite pics ever seen here.

Thanks ... again.

Nick

Absolutely fantastic: those are some great pics hfly.

Thanks for sharing.

Gorgeous!!

Thanks for sharing.

Good stuff! Nice slice of heaven in your neck of the woods.

Thanks for the photos!

The arch photo is my new desktop.

:cool: your Pics are awesome you are very talented.

my h:\ drive is quickly filling up with your pics. hmmm h:\ drive, hfly....coincidence? nothing short of stunning pics man!!

Your pics and text are awesome! Thanks hfly, keep up the goodness.

absolutely beautiful.

rt

Pretty boring photos. Rully.

To experience that is a rare gift! Thanks for sharing....can't wait to come back...Renee and I were talking about a Fruita Moab trip in Feb.

Thanks a bunch to everyone for the many positive comments above! Your comments never go unappreciated.

hfly

Those pictures are simply AWESOME! Very inspiring.
Bill Porter

Hey hfly, any chance for a larger version of the arch photo? I'm using it as my desktop and a bigger photo would look even better.

Thanks again for posting all of the great photos from your rides!

......

again wow ....
when are you putting aout a coffee table book or a calander ....
some one from mtbr should gather the best and make a compilation book...
hfly you have major talent or the best luck ever
how come i never see things like that when i am out landscape painting ...
sigh

Thank you ian, BV, mtbill.

CraigH, I'll try to email you a larger rez version of the arch picture. Maybe also send another view/version.

Thanks again for all the complimentary replies.

hfly <-- bored at work