Lori Carey Photography

Friday, July 15, 2011

The Launch Zone


The Santa Ana Mountains overlooking Lake Elsinore are home to a naturally occuring phenomenon known as the Elsinore Convergence. When the cool ocean air meets the warm air of the valley thermals are created, making this a favorite location for hang gliders and parasailers.


View from the hang gliding and parasailing launch zone along South Main Divide/Killen Truck Trail in Cleveland National Forest. The Santa Ana Mountains overlooking Lake Elsinore are home to a naturally occuring phenomenon called the Elsinore Convergence. When the cool ocean air from the Pacific meets the warm air of the valley it creates a multitude of thermals. This enables hang gliders and parasailers to reach altitudes of up to 15,000 feet, even though this launch zone is only about 1,400 feet. Conditions are ideal for 300+ days of the year, making this a world-reknowned location.

There was no one at the launch zone this day; it was a hundred degrees up here, even hotter down below and unusually hot along the coast. I think this was one of those rare days when conditions were not ideal!



View from the hang glider/parasailing launch zone along South Main Divide/Killen Truck Trail, overlooking Lake Elsinore, in the Cleveland National Forest, California, USA.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Modern Rock Art


Graffiti on rocks at hang gliding/parasailing launch zone off South Main Divide/Killen Truck Trail in Cleveland National Forest, California, USA


Thanks to T for reminding me yesterday that I have been extremely negligent in blogging. I got involved in a project that consumed my every waking moment for a few months. While I still got out to do personal shooting, I fell behind on processing, uploading and blogging. Time to play a little catch up.

The other weekend we took a ride out South Main Divide/Killen Truck Trail in the Cleveland National Forest on our way to explore a canyon in 100 degree heat (and I realized that hiking in 100 degree heat with a 20 pound pack on my back makes me cranky!). Although I've been out this way many times in the past I still try to challenge myself to see things with fresh eyes. This graffiti covered rock caught my eye as I continue to draw parallels between ancient and modern day rock art.