Could any mustangs or any mountains – or any mustangs before any mountains – be prettier than ours?! Even when those mountains are rooted in what we know as the state of Utah, by their view, they’re ours as surely as any.
And Skywalker … well, he is loved. 🙂
Tenaz and Temple watch mule deer walk uphill across the snowy expanse of Spring Creek Basin from near the main/original water catchment area.
After a very cold morning (minus 5!) and a high only around 25 degrees, all that lovely snow is still pretty pristine … all the way to Utah’s shining La Sal Mountains!
The snow depth varies throughout Disappointment Valley in general and in Spring Creek Basin specifically. Six inches might be the *minimum*. I rolled in until my wheels had trouble rolling any farther through the deep snow. I did the arm test, with my fingertips on the ground through the snow, and the top of the snow was halfway up my forearm, which the ruler at home says is 11 inches!!!
The snow level in the pic above wasn’t 11 inches deep, and Tenaz and friends were browsing calmly among the northwest hills. When I left them, they were all napping, hips cocked and eyes closed against the glare of the pristine snow.
Several inches of snow? No worries! Just another day in the life of mustangs. 🙂
(Not to mention other wildlife; there were at least 50 elk on the upper north rim of Spring Creek canyon. We *know* it’s winter when the elk come to mingle. :))
This isn’t a super current pic of our lovely elder lady Houdini. It was taken a couple of weeks ago after a then-fresh snowfall.
When I get into Spring Creek Basin next – hopefully today – the snow is going to be even deeper than in the above pic. As I type this Tuesday night, to schedule for what will be this morning, we are getting walloped with snow! A solid 6 inches total so far, maybe 7 … and surely more by morning, let alone the end of the day, when the winter storm warning expires.
Our world looks MUCH different again from the uniform brown we had just a couple of days ago. We are getting tremendous moisture out of this storm!
With those you love, celebrate, today and all days.
******
Breaking news! Disappointment Valley got about FOUR INCHES of snow yesterday (less or more, depending on elevation)!
This was no little wave, and there was nothing light and fluffy about it – wet, heavy, snow-wo/man-building snow!
A second, bigger, longer-lasting wave is coming today through Wednesday, says the forecasters. Then coooollllldddd!
And just like that, it was time for the evening trek to water, which the horses found trickling sweetly though the bottom of an arroyo. The boys are always the last to know. 🙂
Realistically, we’re probably closer to the latter end of winter than the middle, but we’re optimistic for more snow! This is a current view of Spring Creek Basin and Disappointment Valley beyond to Utah’s La Sal Mountains. It’s fabulous to see the peaks capped in pristine white. Those nearby patches of snow are keeping the basin pretty soggy, which is valuable for the soil and vegetation … and we’re hoping for another dose of white stuff this coming week.
Kestrel is plump and fuzzy and ready for whatever Mother Nature brings.
… in all that white!
What a little pudge is Mr. Maiku! Bundled up and perfectly warm for little snowfalls.
Skywalker is almost camouflaged in all that white. … But isn’t it interesting how he also seems to stand out!
Winona soaks up the sunshine while the snow clouds linger over McKenna Peak and Temple Butte.
It felt much warmer than it looks!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 