THE EASTERN SIERRA NEVADA

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AS STORMS APPROACH  THE SIERRA NEVADA'S  WESTERN FRONT,  THE AIR RISES AND COOLS  RESULTING IN PRECIPITATION ON THE  WESTERN SLOPES . HOWEVER THE EASTERN SLOPES RECEIVE MUCH LESS MOISTURE  RESULTING IN A MORE ARID CLIMATE...THIS IS KNOWN AS THE RAINSHADOW EFFECT.  THE CHANGE IS DRAMATIC. THE WESTERN SLOPES SUSTAIN HUGE FORESTS, AND LUSH MEADOWS, WHILE THE EASTERN SIERRA'S EXHIBIT A DESERT CLIMATE INCLUDING THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE  GREAT BASIN AND THE MOJAVE MOVING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. DEATH VALLEY,  MONO LAKE, AND THE ALABAMA HILLS  ARE INDICATIVE OF THIS ARID CLIMATE.  ITS AUSTERE BEAUTY IS ENHANCED BY THE STEEP RISE OF THE SIERRA RANGE  FROM THE LOWEST POINT IN THE US, BADWATER BASIN IN DEATH VALLEY AT 282  FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL, TO THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE CONTINENTAL US, MT WHITNEY AT 14 505, FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. I NEVER FAIL TO BE OVERWHELMED BY THE CONTRASTS THE TWO SIDES OF SIERRA'S PRESENT.  SOME OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE EASTERN SEIRRA NEVADA AND IT IS AN AREA I CONTINUE TO VISIT TO PHOTOGRAPH AND ENJOY ITS INCREDIBLE BEAUTY.