Photographing Ice

I headed out to Elk Falls Park in minus 7*C weather to find some ice to photograph. After several days of cold temperatures, there should be icicles forming. The cold wasn’t bad when I was hiking since the uphill trek warmed me up.

I like starting my hike at the BC Hydro John Hart Generating Station. The gates which block the pathway are open from 8 am to 5 pm. so you have to make sure you get out before closing or you won’t be able to drive out. The path goes across the Dam structure where huge fans are noisy but warm air is vented so it’s a nice place to stand and warm up.

I took the off trail which goes along the canyon rim and saw an animal foot print which I couldn’t identify. Funny thing is that the prints follow along the worn out but overgrown path down a steep gully and back up to the bluffs. I saw the prints again when I scrambled down to the lower edge of the canyon where a huge tree had fallen. The prints went under the tree and I scrambled over it. The prints disappeared into the bush.

There wasn’t much in the way of ice except the icicles clinging to the canyon walls on the opposite side and the start of an ice cone at the base of Elk Falls but it was too distant to photograph.

I headed back down the trail and bushwhacked to the river in the canyon. Despite the tangle of bushes, the ground was frozen so I found it easier to descend and the frozen snow did not melt so my clothe stayed dry.

I like the snow and ice capped boulders in the river. They looked a lot more interesting to photograph but I found the partly frozen waterfall the best place to photograph the ice. Despite the tangle of bushes, I was able to get close. During warm weather the over spray from the falls makes it difficult to get close enough to photograph so I took advantage of the cold weather. 

 Ice capped boulders

 Closer shot of ice capped boulders

 Icicles dangling along the rim of a boulder

 Partly frozen waterfall

 

Branches of a tree encased in ice

A row of icicles

Bubble shaped ice

It appears as if the ice won't last long as the forecast calls for warmer weather and rain so I was glad to get outdoors; it's just a matter of dressing warmly.