It is late spring in Utah, and the rivers are running high as usual for this time of year. There is a decent snowpack, but the last three months have been mostly dry. We’ve had a lot of rain this weekend and that will raise the level in the annual rain bucket. When you live in the arid southwest, you appreciate every storm that passes by. I’m venturing out more and more as the restrictions loosen with the virus and the weather permits. I went on a few hikes in the local mountains and canyons this week hoping to capture the feeling of the value of moisture in our desert landscape. It may seem like I am contradicting myself when I write of hikes in the mountains and the effect of water in our desert environment. The mountains and their snowpack are our primary reservoirs. These rivers and waterfalls eventually flow to the valley floors and feed into Utah Lake and then the Great Salt Lake. Before they reach the desert floor however, they enhance the mountain landscape with their fluid beauty. The deep rich green of the forest canopy and the lush meadows are teaming with wildlife. Soon the wildflowers will be in full bloom. I hope you enjoy these images of our current season.
This is a closer image of Upper Falls. The concrete collection structure can be seen at its base.
Down river 1/2 mile from Upper Falls is Bridal Veil Falls. This is a favorite walk for families throughout the year.
The snowpack on Mount Timpanogos drains from all around the mountain. Numerous falls and cascades flow down from the upper reaches of the mountain. This cascade is found on the Aspen Groves trail.
Provo River is the main drainage through my part of the valley. This water will eventually end up in Utah Lake about 8 miles away.
A soggy weekend in our state as a cold system has moved overhead for the last three days. This image is from the top of Rock Canyon, east of Provo City. In the upper right corner, are the vertical beds of rock marking the Wasatch Fault.
A fresh dusting of snow up above and a light drizzle of rain in the hills below. The fresh spring green dresses out the forest canopy. Soon the meadows will fill with wildflowers.