Friday, March 5, 2010

Hoarfrost at Mt. Magazine, AR


On another day during our wonderful Arkansas trip, we drove west from Mt. Nebo to visit Mt. Magazine. Mt. Magazine is the highest mountain in Arkansas and is now a state park with gorgeous overlooks, hiking trails, great waterfalls, a lodge with restaurant, cabins, etc. Mt. Magazine towers over the Petit Jean River Valley to the south, and the Arkansas River Valley to the north. We have been there several times and enjoy its beauty each and every time.

Someone asked how Mt. Magazine got its name---so I did some research. French explorers in the 1600's thought that the mountain looked like a BARN (French word for barn is magasin) from a distance. (Personally, I never think of a mountain looking like a barn---but what do I know???? ha)

This year, we found a fabulous surprise when we got to the top of the mountain. There was hoarfrost all over the trees ---and it was a gorgeous sight to behold. I looked up some information about hoarfrost and here are some of the definitions and information I found:
-Frozen dew that forms a white coating on a surface; also called white frost;
-Ice Crystals forming a white deposit;
-The deposition of hoarfrost is similar to the process by which dew is formed, except that the temperature of the frosted object must be below freezing. It forms when air with a dew point below freezing is brought to saturation by cooling.

Today, I'll share some pictures of the hoarfrost that we took on that gorgeous day at Mt. Magazine. Above is a picture of the trees that we saw---as we got to the top of the mountain that day. Can you imagine how excited we were to see the hoarfrost!! Below are more.





It was interesting to see the hoarfrost clinging to some things --and not touching other things.





The rock shelves and bluffs on Mt. Magazine fascinate me. I read that over time sediment was formed. Then the sediment particles were compacted and glued together to form sandstones, siltstones and shale. Aren't the rocks interesting? I love the lichen which forms the colors also.






Instead of looking at the view of the valley below, I was more interested in taking pictures of the hoarfrost on the mountain!!! As you can tell, the frost was only above a certain elevation.





Here's a close-up picture of the hoarfrost ---which was clinging to only one side of each stem.






We walked down a long set of steps to the overlook ---to get more pictures. Ask George just how COLD it was at that overlook!!!! (Our coats were in the car!!! Duh!)






Here's another close-up picture of some of the bluffs on that mountain. You can also see some icicles toward the left side.





I like this picture showing the 'white-capped' trees ---against that beautiful blue sky.

Mt. Nebo, Mt. Magazine and Petit Jean are all terrific state parks---and we highly recommend them if you are ever in that area.

Hugs,

49 comments:

  1. hoarfrost - I learnt a new word and they are beautiful!

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  2. More amazing photos dear lady!! What a wonderful time you two must have traveling around the country and taking photos. Have you maybe decided to try to get to a water fall in each state??

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  3. Ice and frost can be so amazingly beautiful!

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  4. I have not seen hoarfrost in years. Nice photos.

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  5. Hoarfrost is magical! I've only seen it once. But it looked like a fairyland:)

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  6. I have never seen or heard of hoarfrost before. Its beautiful the way it collects only on one side of the branches. The ice crystals look amazing and they make lovely tree decorations.
    You photos of Mt. Magazine are gorgeous, Betsy.

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  7. What a gorgeous place is this Mt. Magazine. It was a lovely day for trekking to the overlooks.

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  8. Betsy: Wonderful views at the mountain and the frost show. Great job of capturing the event.

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  9. I've seen this term hoarfrost for the first time this year on a couple other blogs.
    Your pics give us al nice look at it. It definitely looks like coat weather;what were you thinking. :)

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  10. Just beautiful...cold, but beautiful!

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  11. What a great post Betsy!
    I love those close ups...you are making great use of that camera!!!

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  12. Mt Magazine is awesome! I will be busy for a couple of weeks and might miss a few blogs, yours and mine. see you when i see you.

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  13. Very interesting information about how the mountain got it's name and the pictures are wonderful. It does look very cold there. Have a great weekend. Just wanted to tell you that my friend Balisha had her blog done in three different volumes and loved the results.

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  14. Wow, those pictures of the hoarfrost are stunning, Betsy! Very pretty! Such a lovely view from the outlook there too.

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  15. Gorgeous pics Betsy!

    I was wondering where your coats were!! Ya'll looked pretty cold. Lucky you didn't get any of that frost on you!

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  16. Those are all very nice Arkansas scenes. I like the one of you at the look out point taking a picture instead of enjoying the lovely view.

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  17. Wonderful beautiful pictures! It looks and sounds like you and George have so much fun together! Such a cute couple! Hugs, Catherine

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  18. Hi Betsy, those frost coated trees are just beautiful. That is a very different frost pattern than we see here. I noticed in your photos one edge of the branches is showing and the frost is built up on the opposite side. It makes a nice contrast in the pictures, like an outline.
    Marnie

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  19. Looks like a beautiful place to visit.

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  20. Betsy,
    Beautiful pictures. Sure they don't do the scene true justice.

    It is a shame that more people don't take the time to visit state parks. I know we don't but your pictures have made me think, hhmmm?

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  21. Thanks for the origin of the name for Magazine Mountain. Often wondered but never looked it up.
    Hoarfrost was new to me also and loved the pictures. Your new camera and lens is worth the cost.
    Great shots.

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  22. sorry for the long absence. am catching up today :)

    what a gorgeous new header you've got.

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  23. Gorgeous photos Betsy and I have never heard the term hoarfrost...thanks for the education...

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  24. I was going to comment on the pic of you with no coat but then you said how cold it was!! Cars are not the place for coats in cold weather!!!!


    I'm sure you knew that!!

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  25. How wonderful, Betsy, it's like a fairyland! I would have forgotten the view, too, and only taken pictures of the hoarfrost. I've not seen any on anyone's blog so far. Have you ever heard of frozen fog? I did a post on that in January, as it was predicted for around here. I also took pictures of Valley Fog when we had it, and of us driving through a cloud. So your post today is right up my alley! Thank you for my answer. It is wonderful and crazy!! Leave it to the French. I actually think it looks more like a magazine than a barn!! The overlapping shale resembles the pages of a magazine.

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  26. Thanks for explaining the name. So many of our words and place names are that way. I think your frost pictures are beautiful. Diane

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  27. Hoarfrost is beautiful, but I'm sick of it. We had 44 days of hoarfrost, and no sun and 6* or less temperatures. Ick.

    I'm ready for green and colors and SUN!

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

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  28. You captured some amazing views on your trip. The term "hoarfrost" is new to me, too, but it is beautiful; I love the way it outlines the bare branches.

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  29. Hi Betsy,
    Looking through your post is like looking at a beautiful book.The first picture makes the trees look like delicate lace,I love it.I also like all the rock formations,Wow.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  30. Those pictures are gorgeous, Betsy. I especially like the white hoarfrosted trees against the warm colors of the rock formations and lichen on Mt. Magazine. Beautiful! I am so impressed with your marvelous work with your new camera.

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  31. When I saw Hoarfrost in your title, I got SO EXCITED! It is one of my favorite things to photograph, especially the macros...and your photos did not disappoint...gorgeous!
    It looks so beautiful there!

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  32. Those pictures are great... I have never even hear of Hoarfrost!!

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  33. Never heard of it before, Hoarfrost is amazing! I love the first picture with all the frosty trees. Looks cold, yet inviting.

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  34. Beautiful Pictures Betsy I realy likt the colors in the rocks.
    ♥♥ Hugs ♥♥

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  35. Goodness Betsy, fancy going up a high mountain without your coats, brrrrrr! I love your hoar frost shots, it makes the trees look magical. Wonderful vies from up there too. I enjoyed your blog, but then I always do.

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  36. Wow. These are amazing photos. Love them.

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  37. You got some beautiful pictures Betsy. I see you're really enjoying the new camera.

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  38. Well I learned something new and now hoarfrost is my favorite work and one of my favorite winter things to see! Beautiful photos Betsy!!!
    Hugs,
    Shelley

    P.S. School is going well - next week is spring break. Ya hoo!!!

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  39. Those pictures of the frosty limbs close up are beautiful. I'm going to start looking for a new camera next week!!! Have a blessed evening, marilyn

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  40. Love hoarfrost! It's so pretty and delicate. Looks like everything has been dusted with icing sugar! We've had a LOT of hoarfrost this winter! Lovely photos Betsy!

    Have a lovely week-end!

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  41. Wonderful photos of the hoarfrost Betsy, it is beautiful on all those trees and limbs. We call it freezing fog here and had it for about a month.

    I love the photo of you on the overlook aiming down at the trees.

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  42. Mighty cold out to be hiking in ahirtsleeves.
    Beautiful shot so I guess it was well worth it.

    MB

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  43. It looks a beautiful place. The hoarfrost looks like delicate lace work. Great shots. You are adventurous hiking in winter.

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  44. I am spellbound by the lovely photos of the hoarfrost! Even though I am used to seeing frost here where I am, never have I seen such lovely photos of it! The trees were so pretty all covered. You picked the right time to visit there for sure.

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  45. beautiful photos! I think Winter is finally leaving Birmingham. We had a beautiful weekend and a great week ahead is forecasted.

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  46. I bet it was a beautiful sight to see in person. I love hoarfrost...

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