Rattlesnake Falls

Rattlesnake Falls in Tahoe National Forest, Northern CA

The last time I stood at this waterfall, late in the summer, it barely trickled. The rocks beneath it were dry, and the majesty I’d hoped to capture had fizzled into disappointment. But I promised myself I’d return when the snow melted and the creek raged again. And so, I waited patiently for spring, for that moment when winter would reluctantly release its hold on the mountains.

I woke up at 5 a.m. that morning, excited and determined. I wanted to catch the falls in the soft morning light, when the sun kissed the snow and everything glowed like magic. But there was one big difference this time: snow. And lots of it. The trail I’d walked before was now buried beneath layers of fresh, untouched white, meaning my journey would be twice as long and far more challenging. But that didn’t faze me. I laced up my boots, slung my camera gear over my shoulder, and set out into the quiet predawn.

By the time I reached the falls, the sun was already high, casting long, harsh shadows over the snow-covered rocks. The light wasn’t what I wanted, and I knew I could do better. Disappointed but not defeated, I made a decision. I would return the very next day, but this time I’d leave even earlier.

The following morning, I dragged myself out of bed at 3 a.m. The world outside was still dark, the kind of dark that feels endless. I packed my gear again, heart pounding with anticipation. This time, I’d have to make the entire four-mile trek in the dark, trudging through snow, guided only by the faint glow of my headlamp and the shimmering stars above. Each step crunched beneath my feet, the cold biting at my cheeks and fingertips. But I was determined, and my mind was set on the image I could already see in my head.

The mountains were alive with sounds as I walked: the distant rush of the creek beneath the snow, the occasional snap of branches in the trees, and my own breath echoing in the stillness. The air smelled crisp, like pine and fresh snow, and the cold stung my nose with every inhale.

After what felt like hours, I arrived just as the sky began to blush with the first hints of dawn. The waterfall was still cloaked in shadows, but I could hear its roar—louder, more powerful than I’d ever heard it before. The snow glistened in the twilight, untouched except for the path I’d carved.

As the sun slowly crept over the horizon, the scene transformed. The snow-covered rocks sparkled in soft light, turning the whole landscape into a dream. The moon still hung low in the sky, stubbornly refusing to leave, and the waterfall—now fully alive—poured down the rocks with such force that I could feel the cold mist on my face, mingling with the chilly morning air. The contrast of the rushing water against the stillness of the snow was mesmerizing, and I knew this was the shot I had been waiting for.

I set up my camera quickly, the cold biting at my fingers. I could feel the excitement pulsing through me. Every element had come together—the light, the snow, the water, even the lingering moon above—and I knew I was about to capture something special.

As I clicked the shutter, the waterfall roared, and the morning world around me seemed to pause for a moment, as if nature itself was holding its breath. The image on the screen matched exactly what I had envisioned. It was perfect.

With a deep breath and a smile tugging at my lips, I packed up my gear and started the long walk home, my heart lighter than ever. I felt accomplished, not just because I got the shot, but because I earned it. The struggle of the early wake-up call, the freezing trek through the snow, and the relentless determination to try again had all been worth it. As I descended the mountain, the sun now fully risen, I realized that this journey had been about more than just the photograph. It was about perseverance, patience, and the unshakable belief that the perfect moment was waiting if I was willing to go after it.