#miller peak

[fatchance]

Monsoon green. And white. And lavender.

[fatchance]

Miller Peak, first snow.

[fatchance]

Miller Peak, Cloudmaker. 

During our monsoon season I’ve enjoyed watching the Huachuca Range mountains growing clouds each day. This view of Miller Peak is typical. At almost 2900 meters (9500 feet) above sea level, Miller is the best cloud maker in the range. Moisture-laden air from the Pacific and Gulf of California moves into the region on westerly breezes, where it is lofted over the highest peaks. At higher and cooler altitudes the moist air condenses, forming clouds that hover over the mountaintops. On the best days the clouds then overspread the entire area, and leave us a good dousing of rain. 

[fatchance]

Snow on Miller Peak, Coronado National Forest, Cochise County, Arizona.

Composite panorama and deconstructed views. 

[fatchance]

Sunset, looking across the Ash Canyon ciénega to Miller Peak. 

At 9,470 feet (2,886 m), Miller is one of five ultra-prominences in Arizona. The designation of “ultra-prominent peak” is given to mountains that rise 4,900 feet (1,500 m) above their surrounding topography and are topographically isolated from other summits with equal elevation. Miller barely makes the list of ultras in the United States, with a prominence of 5,011 feet (1,527 m) above the San Pedro lowlands. 

[fatchance]

After snow.

Miller Peak and Carr Reef, Cochise County, Arizona. Please click photo for an enlarged view. 

[fatchance]

Untitled.

[fatchance]

Miller.

The crest of Miller Peak is high enough to support stands of yellow aspen and red bigtooth maple. 

Please click photo for an enlarged view.