Spring Creek Basin Mustangs

As odd as it sounds, snow seems to soften the natural features of the basin even as it brings those landforms into relief, accentuates the ruggedness and showcases the stark beauty of the basin, seen in the warm season in shades of tan and khaki and a little dark green in the pinon-juniper accents.

Shades of white and blue and grey and tan – beee-yoooo-tee-ful! A little bit of snow makes a wild difference. McKenna Peak is the pyramid-shaped hill at left, and the unnamed, prominent promontory is behind it. Though unnamed, it can be seen from nearly anywhere in the basin and is an instantly recognizable landmark.

Shivery cool, eh? Love the snow and shadows and patterns. The first low slope is the northern end of Flat Top, then UFO-like Round Top, then “spiky”-topped Brumley Point.

Does it look cold? It was just about the freezing level – and up to 34 in the sunshine. I was glad it was no warmer because the snow was melting a bit but not so much that it presented a problem for driving. It was so relaxing to sit on the snow (OK, yeah, it was a little cold, even in insulated pants!) and watch the ponies. Their interactions when you’re just another part of the landscape are so rewarding to observe. Sunshine warm on my face, just the tiniest chill, quiet, remarkable. I did a little ice breaking, which warmed me up considerably, and I had my lunch in heaven, horses near and horses far.

Now, looking in the opposite direction from the photos above:

Looking over a bit of the basin and past Spring Creek Canyon, across the northeastern expanse of Disappointment Valley to the La Sal Mountains in Utah. The northern most of the range here …

The southernmost of the range here …

And the very prominent “middle” section! I love it when the La Sals are crowned with snow – they make a dramatic background for wild horses at home in their desert environment!

Sunset on the La Sals … only the very immediate foreground is part of the basin.

And because no post would be complete without a resident of this marvelous wonderland:

Rio, sporting his wintery fuzzery … against a familiar background! This was a little before sunset; Rio is in shade, but the far eastern ridges are still glowing in the last sunlight of the day.

The sun’s advance over the basin at day’s beginning … the advance of shadows across the basin at the end of day … the progression from summer to fall to winter to spring … I feel so grounded there. The horses seem suddenly fuzzy, though they’ve been getting progressively furrier these last weeks as the temperatures dip and the days shorten – sunset just after 4:30! Another turn of seasons, watching the latest generation adapting to their environment in white. I love it in all seasons.