Cirque of the Towers, Wind Rivers, WY

[MonikaC]

I made a quick trip to the Cirque this week, hoping to re-shoot the Milky Way behind the waterfall. What had never occurred to me was that after a dry winter, the water would be too high and I wouldn't be able to cross Warbonnet Creek to get to the north side of the waterfall. Ah, well, having quite a bit of snow on the ground made it so that there weren't any mosquitos yet! I got up a bit before midnight so that the 78% moon would still be up, behind the Cirque. That put the Milky Way quite a bit south, but I liked how the moon still lit up some of the rock faces. I was going to shoot again around 4am, but the patter of raindrops of my tent dissuaded me. This is my "consolation" shot - vertical pano of something like 8 frames. I may have to go back in September when the MW will be behind the waterfall and water levels will be quite a bit lower.

 

[AlanLichty]

This is still a really neat result even if you had something more grand in mind. I'd love to see a bigger version of this pano - lots to like in this wide scene.

 

[JimFox]

Super cool Monica, I like this pano!

The Cirque is such a cool place. I need to get up there one day. It's too bad you couldn't cross the creek. This is still really cool, and you got some nice detail despite the bright moon.

My only issue with September is the Milky Way is so vertical, which some people don't mind, but I prefer it to be at an angle. Though working it with the waterfall would be super cool.

 

[MonikaC]

Thanks, Alan. I forgot there's a way to post images bigger here. I'll have to figure it out.

 

[MonikaC]

Super cool Monica, I like this pano!

The Cirque is such a cool place. I need to get up there one day. It's too bad you couldn't cross the creek. This is still really cool, and you got some nice detail despite the bright moon.

My only issue with September is the Milky Way is so vertical, which some people don't mind, but I prefer it to be at an angle. Though working it with the waterfall would be super cool.

Thanks, Jim. Last year, I was able to position myself so that the MW was basically coming straight out of the waterfall. I only had an f/4 lens then, which is why I want to go back with my f/2.5

 

[Michael13]

I admire your effort just getting there! Being stymied by weather happens to us all, but hey, it builds character!