Hatcher Pass and the Old Knik River Bridge: For a change we had some half decent weather today. It wasn’t a blue sky and sun day, but at least it wasn’t the solid overcast it’s been...

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

For a change we had some half decent weather today. It wasn’t a blue sky and sun day, but at least it wasn’t the solid overcast it’s been lately. Looks like your weather’s pretty nasty. We can always count on some similar weather in January. I always refer to it as the annual January Icecapades. The towing companies and body shops love it.

I went up to Hatcher Pass this afternoon to try and get some photos, but when I got up there, the light just went flat. I got a couple shots, though.

The first shot is from the parking lot above the Hatcher Pass Lodge—the A-frame building. The view is looking down to the Matanuska Valley and Palmer. Can’t see Palmer, though. The second one is a view of the old Knik River Bridge. This bridge was severly damaged during the 1964 earthquake. The made some repairs to it so it could be used, but the wooden support structures deteriorated enough over the year that it was condemned and a new bridge was built. The view there is looking east toward Palmer, which is about 12-15 miles to the east. After the earthquake the state built the “new” Glenn Hwy that crosses what’s called the Palmer Hayflats. It got its name because they used to grow hay there, but the ground sunk nearly 20 feet during the ‘64 earthquake and the flats got flooded with salt water that flowed in from Knik Arm. The new highway bypassed the old road that paralleled the Matanuska River for a way, then crossed over the Knik River and ran alongside the Knik River until coming out at the west end of the flats, just west of the Knik River.

The original shot of the bridge is in color, but I also did it in black and white. Opinions please. I kind of the like the B&W. Taken with my iPhone 11. The original of the bridge is in color, but I prefer the black and white version. It emphasizes the age of the old bridge, as well as its character.

I also posted this in “The Gallery,” mistakenly indicating that I took these with my RX100VII. The ones I took with the RX were deleted because I didn’t like them.

(Download)

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Wingpilot wrote:

For a change we had some half decent weather today. It wasn’t a blue sky and sun day, but at least it wasn’t the solid overcast it’s been lately. Looks like your weather’s pretty nasty. We can always count on some similar weather in January. I always refer to it as the annual January Icecapades. The towing companies and body shops love it.

I went up to Hatcher Pass this afternoon to try and get some photos, but when I got up there, the light just went flat. I got a couple shots, though.

The first shot is from the parking lot above the Hatcher Pass Lodge—the A-frame building. The view is looking down to the Matanuska Valley and Palmer. Can’t see Palmer, though. The second one is a view of the old Knik River Bridge. This bridge was severly damaged during the 1964 earthquake. The made some repairs to it so it could be used, but the wooden support structures deteriorated enough over the year that it was condemned and a new bridge was built. The view there is looking east toward Palmer, which is about 12-15 miles to the east. After the earthquake the state built the “new” Glenn Hwy that crosses what’s called the Palmer Hayflats. It got its name because they used to grow hay there, but the ground sunk nearly 20 feet during the ‘64 earthquake and the flats got flooded with salt water that flowed in from Knik Arm. The new highway bypassed the old road that paralleled the Matanuska River for a way, then crossed over the Knik River and ran alongside the Knik River until coming out at the west end of the flats, just west of the Knik River.

The original shot of the bridge is in color, but I also did it in black and white. Opinions please. I kind of the like the B&W. Taken with my iPhone 11. The original of the bridge is in color, but I prefer the black and white version. It emphasizes the age of the old bridge, as well as its character.

I also posted this in “The Gallery,” mistakenly indicating that I took these with my RX100VII. The ones I took with the RX were deleted because I didn’t like them.

For a change we had some half decent weather today... (show quote)

Greg, I agree the bridge in B&W is very dramatic and has emotional feelings with the shapes and its character.
The image from above from the parking lot above the Hatcher Pass Lodge—the A-frame building is very colorful. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and healthy and a happy New Year. Stan

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Greg, the bridge photograph is really nicely done.
--Bob

Wingpilot wrote:

For a change we had some half decent weather today. It wasn’t a blue sky and sun day, but at least it wasn’t the solid overcast it’s been lately. Looks like your weather’s pretty nasty. We can always count on some similar weather in January. I always refer to it as the annual January Icecapades. The towing companies and body shops love it.

I went up to Hatcher Pass this afternoon to try and get some photos, but when I got up there, the light just went flat. I got a couple shots, though.

The first shot is from the parking lot above the Hatcher Pass Lodge—the A-frame building. The view is looking down to the Matanuska Valley and Palmer. Can’t see Palmer, though. The second one is a view of the old Knik River Bridge. This bridge was severly damaged during the 1964 earthquake. The made some repairs to it so it could be used, but the wooden support structures deteriorated enough over the year that it was condemned and a new bridge was built. The view there is looking east toward Palmer, which is about 12-15 miles to the east. After the earthquake the state built the “new” Glenn Hwy that crosses what’s called the Palmer Hayflats. It got its name because they used to grow hay there, but the ground sunk nearly 20 feet during the ‘64 earthquake and the flats got flooded with salt water that flowed in from Knik Arm. The new highway bypassed the old road that paralleled the Matanuska River for a way, then crossed over the Knik River and ran alongside the Knik River until coming out at the west end of the flats, just west of the Knik River.

The original shot of the bridge is in color, but I also did it in black and white. Opinions please. I kind of the like the B&W. Taken with my iPhone 11. The original of the bridge is in color, but I prefer the black and white version. It emphasizes the age of the old bridge, as well as its character.

I also posted this in “The Gallery,” mistakenly indicating that I took these with my RX100VII. The ones I took with the RX were deleted because I didn’t like them.

For a change we had some half decent weather today... (show quote)

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

PixelStan77 wrote:

Greg, I agree the bridge in B&W is very dramatic and has emotional feelings with the shapes and its character.
The image from above from the parking lot above the Hatcher Pass Lodge—the A-frame building is very colorful. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and healthy and a happy New Year. Stan

Thank you very much, Stan. And a happy New Year to you, too. Be safe and healthy.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

rmalarz wrote:

Greg, the bridge photograph is really nicely done.
--Bob

Thank you Bob. I was embarrassed to find out out I’d posted them from the wrong camera. I’m glad I caught it. Glad you liked it.

L-Fox

Wingpilot wrote:

For a change we had some half decent weather today. It wasn’t a blue sky and sun day, but at least it wasn’t the solid overcast it’s been lately. Looks like your weather’s pretty nasty. We can always count on some similar weather in January. I always refer to it as the annual January Icecapades. The towing companies and body shops love it.

I went up to Hatcher Pass this afternoon to try and get some photos, but when I got up there, the light just went flat. I got a couple shots, though.

The first shot is from the parking lot above the Hatcher Pass Lodge—the A-frame building. The view is looking down to the Matanuska Valley and Palmer. Can’t see Palmer, though. The second one is a view of the old Knik River Bridge. This bridge was severly damaged during the 1964 earthquake. The made some repairs to it so it could be used, but the wooden support structures deteriorated enough over the year that it was condemned and a new bridge was built. The view there is looking east toward Palmer, which is about 12-15 miles to the east. After the earthquake the state built the “new” Glenn Hwy that crosses what’s called the Palmer Hayflats. It got its name because they used to grow hay there, but the ground sunk nearly 20 feet during the ‘64 earthquake and the flats got flooded with salt water that flowed in from Knik Arm. The new highway bypassed the old road that paralleled the Matanuska River for a way, then crossed over the Knik River and ran alongside the Knik River until coming out at the west end of the flats, just west of the Knik River.

The original shot of the bridge is in color, but I also did it in black and white. Opinions please. I kind of the like the B&W. Taken with my iPhone 11. The original of the bridge is in color, but I prefer the black and white version. It emphasizes the age of the old bridge, as well as its character.

I also posted this in “The Gallery,” mistakenly indicating that I took these with my RX100VII. The ones I took with the RX were deleted because I didn’t like them.

For a change we had some half decent weather today... (show quote)

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

l-fox wrote:

Thanks. Glad you liked them.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Well done, Greg! The B&W is striking. Happy New Year!

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Thanks, Mike, and a happy New Year to you, as well.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

#1 is my favorite. I can feel the cold in that scene. Nice muted colors with just a hint of those red buildings coming through makes it for me.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

That is a great bridge shot!

sumo Loc: Houston suburb

The bridge shot is great. The snowy shot is great too. But sure does seem cold with all that snow. I love Alaska but only in July
Although I’ve heard (military folks primarily) when they move there they love it.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Fstop12 wrote:

#1 is my favorite. I can feel the cold in that scene. Nice muted colors with just a hint of those red buildings coming through makes it for me.

Thanks, F. Yes, the snow scene definitely was cold, and I cold feel it!!! Hatcher Pass is probably my favorite place.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

jaymatt wrote:

That is a great bridge shot!

Thank you jaymatt. I believe that is my first bridge shot! I thought it turned out well.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

sumo wrote:

The bridge shot is great. The snowy shot is great too. But sure does seem cold with all that snow. I love Alaska but only in July
Although I’ve heard (military folks primarily) when they move there they love it.

Thank you, Sumo. It was 23 degrees when I took that shot up there, but it wasn’t as cold as it sometimes gets. The light was on the flat side, and the sun was beginning to go down. It was nice and bright on the south side of those mountains to the right, though.

Yes, there is something about Alaska that draws people to it, and it’s a love it or hate it thing. A good portion of our population is from folks who came up here in the military and either stayed up here or came back when they got out or retired. Have a great day.