Viewed through a thin veil of fog, and with little, more prominent, dollops of mist still visible moving like phantoms among the trees, soft rime ice coats the upper reaches (more on the windward side) of spruce trees rising above lower deciduous foliage shining golden in autumn sidelight–on the upper western slopes of Roan High Knob, in the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee.
Rime ice such as this is a rare treat in my experience. Formed from freezing fog pushing though the alpine forest and over higher summits, it coats trees in the most beautiful growth of tiny crystal shards, pieces of which then break free in the mountain breeze and sun and fall like flecks of glittering mica.
I was hiking back south and down toward Engine Gap last fall–after enjoying seeing this stunning phenomenon coating the high conifers at least as far over as Grassy Ridge Bald–when across the gap I noticed this gentle sidelight briefly accentuating the amber fall color through which rose some rime-covered conifers displaying bluish hues in those conditions. Visible mysterious effects of the still passing mists added to the atmosphere, so I fired off a few snapshots with the long lens, and hoped something came out fairly well. The results here have limits to be sure–they’re best viewed smaller than larger as you might imagine, but its one of those subdued scenes we find in nature sometimes that are really striking to experience, and worth sharing, I thought, even as a quick snap.
Thanks for viewing!
Posted by Kevin Benedict Photography on 2020-07-26 18:20:55
Tagged: , Roan Mountain , Roan , High , Knob , Roan Highlands , Appalachian Trail , North Carolina , Tennessee , Nikon , Landscape , Beautiful , Rime , Ice , Roan High Knob , Balds , Mountains , Round Bald , Carver’s Gap , photobenedict , Fall , Autumn , Color , Blue Ridge , Mountain , Clouds , Fog , Mist , Appalachian
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