Another heavily overcast and windy morning prevented me from photographing again, but the afternoon turned out to be quite great. I decided that I was going to give myself plenty of time to get up into the mountains this time so I didn't end up rushing around like I was yesterday. I started hiking about 3:30 with the hopes of reaching a small tarn just passed Kitchen Hut at the base of Cradle Mountain. On the way I stopped and photographed in several locations as the walk was quite scenic. When I finally reached the tarn, I realized that the shot I had envisioned wasn't exactly what I had hoped, so after a bit of wandering around I gave up and headed towards a different point.
I chose Crater Peak to see if that would offer a better vantage point and it sure did. I was able to get up there about 45 minutes before sunset so Ihad plenty of time to set up the shot I wanted. Then it was just waiting. As the sun sank lower in the sky, clouds moved in and enveloped the peak of Cradle Mountain. It was my hope, though it didn't quite materialize, that these clouds would turn orange or pink with the setting sun. It was close, but not what I had hoped. Although, I still walked away with some images I was pleased with.
Then I had to walk down. The walk wasn't too hard but as it was getting darker and darker along the way it became slower. I was prepared with a flashlight but still the steep descent was slow going on my tired body. Once I finally did get back down to the valley I made my way back to the car. The highlights of this part of the trek were a couple Eastern Quolls that scamped across my path. I have only seen these marsupial cats on one other occasion and next time hope to photograph them. All in all, it was a productive evening.
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