WINTER

IN THIS LAND that has sometimes been called “the land of the sun,” winter — good, old-fashioned winter as folks know winter in other parts of the country that boast less sunny labels — can be visited in the high mountains. Here the snow is deep. Silence of winter grips the land. This silence is broken by the winds of intermittent storms that fortunately pile the snow higher and higher — moisture stored toawait spring thaws so that dams below will be filled to feed water during hot summer months to farmlands reclaimed from the thirsty desert. The errant mountain road, which knew the companionship of travelers in spring, summer and autumn, rests under a deep snow blanket, so deep it would be difficult to follow the road's path. In a few places, cumbersome snowplows, snorting with fury, keep a road open, prevailing against the will of winter, opening the mountain solitude to the winter sports lover. Winter is down such roads as these. The snow is pure, white and clean, glistening in the sun. The sun rays, reflected from the snow, are of searing brightness. Despite the chilly air, they manage togive warmth to those making a journey to winter. The branches of stately mountain trees bend under the burden of the heavy snow that fell the night before. Sometimes the snow is so heavy the branches cannot support the weight. The branches snap, and the noise of the breaking branches sounds like the report of a pistol shattering the stillness of winter. When the sun rises higher, the snow melts on the branches. Dripping water digs holes in the whiteness under the tree. Where the snow had been, the needles of the trees shine brightly in the sun, the mountain air heavy with their fragrance. As afternoon wanes, the chill in the air turns the dripping water from the trees into ice. In the last light of day, when the trees cast long shadows, it seems as if the trees have been magically and majestically adorned with rare and precious jewels. Night and silence come to the mountain solitude. If there is a moon, the moonlight makes a path of gold through the snow. If the moon is bright, shadows of the trees are eerie patterns of blue light in the path of gold. - Editor Raymond Carlson, November 1953

Snow covers mature saguaros on the cliffs of the Sierra Ancha, a remote Central Arizona mountain range. These saguaros are at an elevation of 4,000 feet, near the upper limit of these cactuses' range.

Considered for Out in the Cold, December 2023 Hoodooos at Yaki Point, an overlook on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim, dominate a winter view into the gorge. Yaki Point is east of Grand Canyon Village and can be accessed via one of the park's free shuttle buses.

◄LAURENCE PARENT

Considered for Do You Believe in Magic?, December 2023 A snowy ponderosa pine bough frames a view of the distant San Francisco Peaks. This view is from Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, which is east of the Peaks and protects a relatively young cinder cone volcano.

LINHOF TECHNIKA IV 4X5, FUJICHROME VELVIA, 1/5 SEC, F/32, ISO 50, 90 MM LENS

◄ PAUL GILL

Considered for Autumn Leaves, November 2023 Clusters of young maple trees, their leaves beginning to don their autumn hues, weather a snowstorm on the Mogollon Rim. Fall color typically peaks in mid-October atop this defining Arizona topographical feature.

CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/10 SEC, F/14, ISO 100, 29 MM LENS

▲ DEREK VON BRIESEN

Considered for Autumn Leaves, November 2023 Snow from a rare autumn storm covers an aspen leaf, a fern and blades of grass in Hart Prairie, near Flagstaff. This clearing is known for The Nature Conservancy's Hart Prairie Preserve, which protects the world's largest community of Bebb willows.

CANON EOS 5DS R, 1/125 SEC, F/13, ISO 400. 91 MM LENS

► TOM BEAN

Considered for Do You Believe in Magic?, December 2023 CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/400 SEC, F/8, ISO 400, 164 MM LENS

Considered for Out in the Cold, December 2023 An intricate ice formation begins to melt at Sheeps Crossing, just off State Route 273 in the White Mountains. Among the features of this location is the trailhead for the West Baldy Trail, which leads up Mount Baldy, the White Mountains' highest peak.

SONY A6500, 1/2500 SEC, F/11, ISO 800, 800 MM LENS

CLAIRE CURRAN

Considered for Winter Lace, December 2023 Snow accents aspen trunks along a forest road northwest of the North Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Owing to its high elevation, the North Rim sees an average of nearly 12 feet of snow per year.

CANON EOS-1DS MARK III, 1 SEC, F/32, ISO 100, 169 MM LENS

CLAIRE CURRAN

Considered for Out in the Cold, December 2023 Snow and clouds blanket the Grand Canyon in a view from near Pipe Creek Vista, an overlook on the South Rim. In clearer weather, this overlook, just off Desert View Drive, offers a view of its namesake waterway as it winds toward the Colorado River.

CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/8 SEC, F/18, ISO 100, 45 MM LENS

Considered for Winter Lace, December 2023 Fog obscures a view into the Grand Canyon near snowy Mather Point, an overlook on the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Named for the first director of the National Park Service, Mather Point offers many Canyon visitors their first look into the gorge.

SONY ALPHA 7R II, 1/25 SEC, F/16, ISO 100, 36 MM LENS

MARK FRANK

The steep sandstone walls of Oak Creek Canyon guard an icy landscape and the rushing water of the canyon's namesake. Numerous hiking trails, campgrounds and other recreation opportunities make Oak Creek Canyon a popular year-round destination.

NIKON D200, 0.8 SEC, F/18, ISO 100, 22 MM LENS

► LAURENCE PARENT

Considered for Do You Believe in Magic?, December 2023 A wintry landscape of evergreen-covered slopes surrounds the frigid water of Upper Goldwater Lake, a reservoir southeast of Prescott. The reservoir and neighboring Lower Goldwater Lake are named for Morris Goldwater, a longtime Prescott mayor.

DJI FC6310, 1/100 SEC, F/2.8, ISO 100, 8.8 MM LENS