Volcan Mountain Snow

In early April a cold storm blew through San Diego, leaving a trace of snow in the mountains. I took the opportunity to head up to Volcan Mountain not knowing what I would find. I spent most the day walking on a short trail and stopping to take photos along the way. As I the started the hike, snow was falling the wind was blowing. Here are some shots from this day.

To see the full collection from this day, click here.

Trees in Yard
While driving through Santa Isabel, I was met with heavy snow. I pulled over to take a few photos of trees in a yard of one of the homes.

Snow in Santa Ysabel

Farmhouse
Snow was falling on Wynona Road, but barely sticking. I stopped to capture this farmhouse with three horses by a fence. As I captured the scene the fog and snow almost completely obliterated the scene.

Farmhouse

Snow-Crusted Manzanita
At the start of the Five Oaks Trail there are manzanita trees hugging the trail. If you look carefully you will see the snow blowing sideways.

Snow-Crusted Manzanita

Five Oaks Trail
The Five Oaks Trail on Volcan Mountains was beautiful in the falling, windblown snow.

Five Oaks Trail in Snow

Snowy Impressions
I love how these trees are huddled on the ridge, as if having a friendly gathering. When taking photos of trees, I try to position myself to allow for a separation and space between each tree. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes not.

Snow Impressions

A Conversation
If these trees could talk to each other, what do think they would be saying? When I am out taking photos, I sometimes like to imagine a metaphor and my subjects as living characters with persona in a story.

In Conversation

Guardian on a Hill
This is one of the oaks that was in the background of the previous shot.

Guardian

Green Fields
On the way home, I stopped again near Santa Ysabel. The snow had melted revealing a green carpet around the oaks.

Green Meadow

Snowy Day on Palomar Mountain

A cold storm dumped a layer of snow on the Palomar Mountain in mid-December. I have a photo project I am working on titled,” Winter in San Diego,” in which my focus is showing the wintery/snowy conditions that we get a few times a year in our local mountains. Since I have the flexibility to go during weekdays, I look for storms hitting during the week to avoid the crowds and traffic that snow otherwise draws. For this weather system, the storm came through Monday and lingered slightly into Tuesday. Perfect!

Snowy Day on the Mountain – Shortly after arriving on the mountain, the snow started accumulate.
Snowy Bench – I explored a small area of the mountain for intimate scenes.
Frosted Forest
You might recognize this scene from the previous blog post in the fog.
Snowy Apple Orchard

On Tuesday I returned to mountain as the storm was clearing out. I went for a walk along the edge of the mountain, looking back to this ridge with dark sky and low clouds beyond

Cold
Winter Path
Leaning Oak and Fir
Sugar-Coated Firs

To view the rest from this outing, click here.