WIRR 2020, May Week 3

For Memorial Day weekend, we set out for our first backpacking trip of the season. The high peaks are still snow-covered, and we wanted to stay close to home so that we could get to the trailhead with minimal interaction (no stops for food or gas). I picked out a little known and little used trail in the Platte River wilderness in the Medicine Bow National Forest of Wyoming. The forecast was for rain in Fort Collins, but sunshine and 50 degrees on the other side of the mountains. The rain started almost immediately after we left town and continued to pour on us throughout the ride. Or at least until we passed through Jelm, Wyoming, where it turned to snow. We found our road pretty easily, but hit the first patch of snow only a few miles in. Our decision to “go for it” was a poor one, and it took another truck’s rope and a lot of shoveling before we were able to get out.

From there we switched to “plan B” and made our way to a different trailhead. The landscape was lovely, but the “sunshine and 50 degrees” forecast never panned out. Temperatures were in the low 40s, the wind was blowing, and while it had temporarily stopped raining, clouds seethed overhead. We decided to try again when the weather was nicer. Before we left for home, I took a photo of the valley, and this became my favorite image of the week.

Storm over Douglas Creek

iPhone 11 Pro

And for those who enjoy a little schadenfreude, here’s a shot of our Jeep’s escapade:

Digital Darkroom. Nothing too fancy here. I increased contrast and texture, and darkened the shadows a bit. I used a brush over the sky with dehaze to add a touch more drama to the storm clouds.

WIRR stands for Weekly Image Rich Ruh. This regular feature on Das Has von Ruh will show and describe my favorite photo created during this weekly period. My weeks start on Mondays, as does the WIRR. I’m hoping to include commentary on the story, the setting, the specs, or the sentiments, depending on the circumstances.