6 December Photos: Frozen Waterfall

I took a hike up Indian River Valley to visit the big tree waterfalls and see what they looked like frozen.

I only had three hours, but I decided to go for a hike up the West Fork valley to see if the big tree falls were frozen. I did not have long, so I got up to the big tree at a quick pace (it took me an hour from the trailhead), went over to the waterfall and climbed up to the base of the upper falls (which were quite frozen), then decided to cut across the valley and see if I could find the upper end of the big muskegs (which ended up being easier than I expected). I was able to get back within my time limit, even with a stop to visit briefly with Kitty, Scott, and visiting naturalist John Hudson when we crossed paths mid-valley. They were coming from the muskegs to go visit the big tree while I was going the opposite direction.

Weather: Though still freezing, temperatures were warmer today. Temperatures during the day were in the mid to upper 20s, and this evening it warmed up to get over 30. It started out mostly clear, but by afternoon, the clouds had moved in. Just a few flakes of snow were falling when I walked over to UAS to hear a talk about dragonflies.

Birds: I saw three Red-breasted Sapsuckers. Two of them were along the trail, the third startled me as it flew right above my head and landed on the trunk of the big tree as I sat at its base.

I saw an American Dipper at the first bridge on the way back.