Sunrise lenticulars galore!
It was really hot over the weekend but beginning Tuesday, the temperatures have been dropping and the changing weather seems to have flushed the smoke right out. This morning was particularly nice, since there was no haze and Mount Shasta was graced with some fine lenticulars! I noticed them a little too late to really maximize the light, but I was able to get out to somewhere where I could capture them.
Mount Shasta had a nice lens-shaped disk catching the morning light. While the shape of the cloud was not really unusual (though still quite beautiful), it was on this morning notable, since the sun, still low in the sky, was casting a shadow on the lenticular, just above Mount Shasta’s summit. That was a phenomenon I haven’t seen before from this angle and it was really neat to observe. To the northwest of the mountain was a large collection of turbulent clouds. They changed their shape pretty rapidly, but held to the general pattern of a large disk situated above a swirl of changing clouds. This too was a grand sight, though it would probably be better further to the south. Nonetheless, I was grateful to be able to witness it. All in all, a pretty spectacular morning, especially given how quickly it has come on the heels of a month of oppressive smoke.
I don’t want to jinx us (I probably am for saying this) but this morning at least it feels like we have turned a corner. Cooler temps are in the forecast, autumn approaches and, Lord willing, we will be rid of the smoke for the rest of the year. I am still a bit downtrodden about what is going on in the Columbia River Gorge, but hopefully the worst is past in that fire and the healing can begin. Hopefully there will be more mornings like this one in the near future!
Click to enlarge:
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- Mount Eddy beneath clear skies and lovely clouds.
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- A large lenticular cluster.
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- The grand sunrise scene.
Hike Mt. Shasta 
I’m so sad about the Gorge. I haven’t been there since I was a kid, but I was planning to hike Eagle Creek in the next couple of years, but I guess that will be put on hold.
I wouldn’t let it get you too down. If there is one place that will regenerate faster than others, it is the Gorge. It won’t be the same but it will still be beautiful. The waterfalls will still be there and it will still be worth hiking. Also, for what it is worth, you can hike the 10 Falls at Silver Falls State Park. It is grand!
+1 on the Silver Falls hike! My sister was just there, and raves about it. Go there!
One of the ideas for a new book I have been kicking around is a collection of the best waterfall hikes in the west. Silver Falls is one of two from Oregon (alas, Eagle Creek being the other). There really is nothing else like it, with the opportunity to hike behind multiple large waterfalls. Here is video of my wife and kids on the trail behind Middle North Falls. It is spectacular!