Pushawalla Plateau Sunrise & Moonset

 Still alive! Barely. I had nothing left in the tank. After hiking/climbing 1600' in the dark to the top of Pushawalla Plateau, I was spent, but also exhilarated that I made it.

I stop for a rest and drink of water as Mitch takes this photo. What the photo doesn't show are the cold temps (high 30's) and strong winds. Photography is going to be challenging up here. Even with tripods, stong winds will result in camera movement and blurred photos.

My first pre-dawn photo, and it's a little disappointing. My feeling of exhilaration fades to a feeling of doubt: I wonder if I can get any decent photos?? We're looking approximately west at what is called the Banning Pass. The dots of light are blurred by wind buffeting my camera. I think the first cluster of white light (center and a little left) is the Morongo Casino. The white line snaking it's way through the center of the photo is the 10 freeway. The red dots of lights are the top of wind turbine towers. I do like those red dots!

 

As things lighten up in the early dawn, the exposure times are less and camera shake by the devil winds is reduced. Things are looking up! That's the San Jacinto Mountains we are looking at, with the Palm Springs lights twinkling on the valley floor. Probably a view very few have seen! 
 

Looking east, you can see just a hint of the Salton Sea.

 

A much better view of the Salton Sea.

 

Meanwhile, looking to the west, the moon is starting to set over a snow covered Mt. San Gorgonio. Capturing the moonset was one of the main goals for this hike.

 

The sky is really starting to lighten up, and I'm having trouble deciding which direction I should point my camera. Beautiful moonset to the west, San Jacinto (above) to the south, or the Salton Sea to the east? Every photographers dream!

Salton Sea sunrise

Getting the moonset over snow covered San Gorgonio, with this Pinion Pine and Yucca in the foreground, was one of the main photos we were after. Our only miscalculation was we were hoping the golden sunrise would light up the Pinion Pine and Yucca. Instead it was lighting up the hill behind it, but that works! 

 

 

 

Golden light on the rocks.

 

Time to head back. It's only about 4 miles, but it's so unique and isolated up on the Plateau, it feels like we're leaving a different planet. We will head in the direction this fallen Joshua Tree is pointing. This time, we get to go DOWN 1600' 😊. I can't help feeling a bit bittersweet, like I will likely never see the top of this Plateau again. But I've learned... never say never!
 

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!!