Geo 730: December 16, Day 715: At Timberline

"Timberline" was not a concept I really had when I was growing up. Like "snowline," it wasn't applicable in Ohio. Simply stated, it's the alpine elevation above which climatic conditions are too harsh, too persistently, for trees to grow. In both cases, these lines appear sharp from a distance, but when you're "on" the lines, they're more ragged and not as clear cut. Here, there are clearly some trees that look as if they're doing well, but the one in the left foreground looks as if it might be struggling a bit. As we saw in yesterday's photo, Timberline Lodge is mostly wood, so fire hydrants are a necessity. Also, I suspect this is the approximate location of the fire hydrant line, too.

Photo unmodified. October 10, 2012. FlashEarth Location.