Snow is like a new coat of paint

A recent hike in Yosemite was through an area that had extensive burn damage. It would have been really sad to hike through that on a hot summer's day But in the snow, the black trunks of the trees contrasted spectacularly with the white snow.

And the snow had left a layer of frosting on every downed tree and stump, creating some memorable cupcakes along the trail.

Snow also creates alll sorts of fun patterns and shapes as it falls and settles. We found this pinwheel at the bottom of a snowdrift. It had clearly rolled down the slope and turned into a wheel on the way.