Description

After a long and steep four-mile hike to Minaret Lake, I pitched my tent among the rocks close to the water. At 5 AM, I was greeted by an imposing skyline against the faint glow of dawn. My plan was to catch the Minarets as the first light struck them, but the window was closing fast. With only minutes before the glow faded, I grabbed my gear and rushed to the ridge. Each step felt like the light might slip away before I made it. Just as I set the camera the peaks ignited in color. What could have been a missed chance turned into success—the kind of reward that comes only from the challenge of chasing light at the edge of day.