Wheeler Peak Glacier

Tucked into the Snake Range of Nevada, Wheeler Peak Glacier is one of the few remaining glaciers in the American West and one of the most dramatic alpine scenes in the Great Basin. The cirque walls rise steeply around a rubble-strewn basin, giving you natural framing as you shoot upward toward the headwall and permanent ice. Wide angles work well here to capture the full scale of the bowl, while a longer lens lets you isolate the glacier against the rocky cliffs above. The hike in is strenuous, around three miles with significant elevation gain, so plan to arrive at the trailhead early and reach the glacier by mid-morning before afternoon clouds and thunderstorms build, which is common in summer. Overcast light actually flatters the muted grays and blues of the ice and talus. Sturdy footwear is essential; the terrain near the glacier is uneven and loose. (Baker, Nevada, United States)