This Christmas Eve I managed to get to Waterton Canyon. The trail has been closed since the summer and will be closed until the end of 2011 for removal of sludge that has built up over the years. However, for 6 weeks over the holiday period, the trail has been opened. I loaded my bike to make the journey a little easier to reach the weir on the Platte River before the sun went down. In previous years, December is a good time to find ice on the Platte River. I was hoping to make some images of ice, but this year has not been cold enough to create widespread ice formations.
The river has had several dams and weirs constructed over the years. Near one of the old weir sites, I pulled over. Water flowing around the concrete work left a trail of foam in the river. Sunlight reflected off the canyon walls and nearby trees to create a nice orange glow in the river.
Platte River
At this point in the canyon, the river cuts through granites and metamorphic rocks. The rock beds stand upright for much of the trail. Lichen and mosses grow on these rock faces forming yellow, green and orange patinas. I noticed that the rock face had failed on the far bank. Boulders had slid down to reveal the coral colored rock below.
Pine Tree And Rockfall
The leaves on the oak trees had lost their summer colors, turning an attractive orange-brown in the stark winter landscape. As usual, the oak leaves clung tenaciously to the branches. At this spot along the trail, there is also a small creek that flows down to the river.
Winter Colors In Waterton Canyon
Several ducks were paddling in water near this point along the river. The rock below is covered with white guano, maybe from these same ducks?
Guano Covered Rock In The Platte River
Above the weir, the water has been dammed, creating a smooth reflective surface. The rock face creates symmetrical reflective patterns in the water. This image reminds me of an Ansel Adams image “Frozen Lake and Cliffs” that he made in 1932, but without the ice!
Reflections In The Platte River
Water flowed slowly over the weir, increasing in speed as it rushed down the concrete surface. This creates a dynamic textured backdrop to the static rabbit brush bush growing at the side of the weir.
Rabbit Brush And Weir
This image shows the laminar flow region of the water as it starts its journey down the weir. The imperfections in the concrete soon cause turbulent flow to create the white texture.
Weir On The Platte River
I packed up my gear for the ride back to the parking lot. It was a rough ride back. Although I checked my tire pressures before starting the trip, a few extras pounds of pressure would have made the ride much more comfortable!