A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend found us in the
park before sunrise. It was a cold, windy day and unfortunately for any photographer, there were no clouds. However, we still had a
chance to glimpse an alpine glow. When the sun is below the horizon, there is no direct path for the light to reach the mountain. Instead,
light reflects off airborne snow, water or ice particles low in the atmosphere. So, when the sun is just below the horizon, a
horizontal red glowing band can sometimes be observed.
The picture above was taken near Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. The redish glow is on the mountain but has not
reached the mini-peak in front of it.
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