If You Take a Photographer Snowshoeing....

If you take a photographer friend snowshoeing.....they just might want to capture sunrise on Mt Hood.  Meaning you'll probably rise at some ungodly early hour and end up shivering in predawn light, patiently waiting for the sun to show itself.

Mt Hood before sunrise

You'll likely gape in wonder watching the sky turn soft shades of pink.

The sky begins to turn pink...

And push the shutter like a woman possessed when light finally touches the very top of the mountain.

First light on the mountain

And you might even be too busy photographing Hood to look at the sky behind you.  Until a chance glimpse that direction makes you realize what you're missing.

The sky behind us

You might even be tempted to zoom way in on your favorite mountain - and capture some fantastic morning light on Hood's creamy white snowfields.

Golden hues light the snow

Once the sunrise show is over, your photographer friend might suggest snowshoeing two miles in to nearby Trillium Lake.  Because it's a bluebird day and there's a killer view of Mt Hood from there.

Light through the trees looks like stained glass

From the trailhead you and your photographer friend won't get far before you're blown away by the fantastic light creating patterns in the forest.  Much clicking of cameras will commence.

Sunburst!

If you take your photographer friend snowshoeing.......due to numerous photo breaks, it might take twice as long to reach your destination .

Tiny moon in blue sky

But neither of you will mind in the least.  Because she's your photographer friend, she'll understand completely.

Say cheese!

You might even get some really good images of yourself (normally being the one behind the camera, that never happens).

Mt Hood from Trillium Lake

Upon finally reaching Trillium Lake, you and your photographer friend will probably ooh and aah over the stunning Mt Hood views.

Snowy lakeshore scenes

Then you'll both get busy trying to capture countless images of the sparkly, new-fallen snow coating everything.

Flocked tree

Snow-covered branches

So many photo subjects!

No picnics today

Snowy lake

The snow seemed to sparkle

Frosty trees

After a good hour of camera-clicking fun, you and your friend will finally decide it's time to trek back to the car.

The return trail

Of course, the return trip is just as magical.

Lots of hikers at midday

By now the rest of the world has arrived on the mountain, and you encounter several groups of skiers and snowshoers heading to the lake.  But being early birds has it's advantages - you and your friend had the lake all to yourselves nearly the entire time.

The final climb

The last half mile requires a grueling climb up a fairly steep hill.  But if you take your photographer friend snowshoeing, she rises to the challenge.

Trail for another day?

She might even point out trails for future outings.

A happy snowshoer

If you take a photographer friend snowshoeing on a magical blue-sky winter's day.....you just might have yourself a new adventure buddy!


(A great way to spend the final day of 2018 - thanks Cheri for being my photo buddy!)