Termination Dust
We’ve had snow on the peaks of the Coast Range across the way off and on for the last week or so, but I finally got a good photo of it on “LC Mountain.”
In the Gold Rush days, prospectors called the first snow on the mountains “termination dust” because it signaled the end of the mining season. It meant they’d have to close up their claims, and often, move back into town until spring.
One of the first snows of autumn, "termination dust" on "LC Mountain" (Photo: Mark Zeiger).
It’s hard to say if this is really the beginning of the wintry weather or not; I doubt it myself. Whatever comes, I do love this first dusting each year. It’s beautiful! As ever, the photo above doesn’t show what we see, as it doesn’t capture the magnification that makes the mountains look a lot taller to the human eye.
Themocracy
I love your blog! I came across it by accident and think it’s great – I was showing my two little boys the picture of the basket star and they were very impressed. And just today I was trying to remember what the name was for the first snow in Alaska but couldn’t. Thanks for reminding me!
Hi Shona,
Glad to help, and glad you like the blog! Thanks for your comment!
Mark