Winter 2019 LOCALadk Magazine 53
LOCALadk
Algonquin Treeline
comes to trees. The towering hardwoods that stretch to the
sky in the foothills give way to hardy evergreens as elevation
increases, which shrink in size and take on a gnarled appear-
ance as the alpine zone is neared due to the constant batter-
ing by wind. The upper reaches of the forest, where the tree
cover thins out and the sky is more readily viewed, presents
unique photography opportunities. Evergreens caked with
rime ice and fresh snow are the epitome of an Adirondack
winter, and stand like frozen sentinels keeping watch over
the mountains. The eerie glow that permeates at dusk can
be the perfect complement to the bizarre shapes that these
trees often take on, and a clear night and starr y sky also
lends itself to creating truly unique images.
Exploring and photographing the Adirondacks in
winter presents numerous challenges, but even
more rewards. Braving hostile conditions and
coming away with awe-inspiring photographs
of your journey will stir up feelings of accom-
plishment and ecstasy so potent that you'll
be itching to get back into the frozen
winter wilderness as soon as the
car ride home begins.
With the proper hiking and photography gear in your pack,
and creative vision in your mind, the haunting beauty of win-
ter will be revealed and make you wish that spring would
never come.
