[Leica] Craters of the Moon

[leicar at q.com (Aram Langhans)]

Our first stop on the trip was Craters of the Moon in southern Idaho.  If
you have never been, you should go.  Not mid summer as it could be very hot.
Settlers on the Oregon Trail detoured north or south of it.  We were there
from June 16 to June 20 and the weather was perfect, as were the
wildflowers.  Hard to imagine so many flowers in such a dry, volcanic place.
Some have 30 foot roots to find moisture.  View large if possible.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5111.jpg.html


There are many trails, some easy and some quite difficult.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5104.jpg.html


flowers spring up wherever there is any accumulation of soil and water.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5086.jpg.html


In a few areas of the park, lava had flowed around trees, and when the trees
burned and then rotted away, left casts of the trees in the lava.  Hard to
get a good shot.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5160.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5162.jpg.html


You can hike up high and get spectacular views of the lava flows?

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5192.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5187.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5179.jpg.html


Or you can go underground into lava tubes that sometimes contain ice all
year round while the sun beats down on the lava rock overhead.  Watch your
step and your head.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5208.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5206.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5203.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5196.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/yellowstone/Craters/Craters_of_the_Moo
n-5034.jpg.html


An amazing place.  Please add it to your list of places to see.

Comments welcome.

Aram
 

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.4.6/1540 - Release Date: 7/8/2008
6:33 AM