Favorite Winter Photos from Our Utah Adventure
Taking in the view toward Deer Valley across Jordanelle Reservoir
Spending time in the mountains is heavenly, and when you are gifted with the beauty of snow, you have to go out and take photos of the landscape covered in fresh powder. During a long weekend near Park City, Utah, we went on an adventure to find interesting and stunning landscapes to photograph. Here are some of our favorite photos. We include the location the photo was taken and why the photo made our favorite list. Hope you enjoy, and if you take a photo from the same spot, tag us at #pinesandcoastlines. We would love to see your pics.
Photo 1: Sun Reflecting on Tibble Fork Reservoir
Partially iced over. the reservoir made for the perfect foreground in this photo. The sun reflecting in the ice and water lead the eye to the center of the photo, and the v-shape of the trees frame Mount Timpanogos in the hazy distance. This location is a goldmine for photography, and we truly could have chosen many pics from this area as our favorites.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot
Photo 2: Big Cottonwood Creek
The Mill B South Trailhead meanders along Big Cottonwood Creek. Every once in a while, you get an scene of the creek framed by snow and icy trees. We chose this photo as one of our favorites because of layers of cascading water in the foreground and the subtle light hitting the trees in the center of the photo. You can almost hear the water flowing as you view the photo. It comes to life.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot
Photo 3: Driving in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Who doesn’t love a good road photo? This one made our list because of the dark pavement curving into the snowy landscape and the red rock contrasting with the deep green trees. The difference between light and dark in this photo make it interesting and pleasing to the eye. Makes you want to discover where the road is leading.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot
Photo 4: Sunset on the Mirror Lake Highway
Sunset on the Mirror Lake Highway
The Mirror Lake Highway has so much to see - any turnout can give you great photo opportunities. We pulled off of the road to walk to a footbridge over the Provo River, and the sun began to set. We loved this photo because the rocks covered in snow lead the eye to the sun and the feathery clouds also lead the eye to the sun. It was just the perfect time of day to capture this scene.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot (The actual spot is .4 miles west of the Soapstone Basin Road intersection with Mirror Lake Highway).
Photo 5: River and Snow Abstract
River and Snow Abstract
We played around with abstract photography at this location along the Mirror Lake Highway, and this ended up being one of our favorite photos. We are looking down on the Provo River from a bridge. On the left, the snow looks like bubbles because of the rocks buried below, and the blue-green, icy river on the right is a stark contrast. We also love how the snow-covered rocks extend into the river. An interesting and soothing composition.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot
Photo 6: Resting by the American Fork River
Resting by the American Fork River
American Fork Canyon is one of our favorite places. There are many spots to stop and enjoy the river. We love this photo because there was the perfect log to sit on and be in the frame. Also, the browns and rust colors contrast beautifully with the white snow. We took so many photos here, but this is our favorite.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot (The actual spot is approx. .3 miles west of the pin on the linked map).
Photo 7: Buoy at Jordanelle Reservoir
Buoy at the Jordanelle Reservoir
Although it is disturbing, the receded water at the Jordanelle Reservoir has made it possible to walk right up to a buoy warning boaters to go slow. In the snow, the bright orange and red of the typography pop, and the bold signage stands out against the muted and dreary background. It was also a surreal experience to walk on a place that typically is covered by water.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot (Location is at the end of the road).
Photo 8: Sunset Near Sundance Resort
Sunset Near Sundance Resort
There are so many things we love about this photograph. The sky was putting on a show with layers of pink in the clouds. There was even a little white heart that showed up in the clouds above the peak (can you find it?). We like how the clouds make the mountains hazy, but the foreground seems to point in the direction of the peaks and frame the mountain. Although we were tired from a full day of exploring, it was worth it to wait for sunset near Sundance Resort.
Location: Click Here for Map to Photo Spot. (There are spots to pull off of the road for photos.