High One Sleeps

I waited quietly as Mt. Denali rested in the stillness of early morning. The air was crisp—around 28 degrees—and patches of ice formed on the lake’s surface. I had risen before dawn, catching sight of clouds moving in from the north and offered a quick prayer they’d hold off. With breakfast hurried, I made my way to the edge of Wonder Lake, a hidden gem at the foot of this towering scene. Setting my camera low, nearly touching the water, I framed the shot. Another photographer arrived, experiencing Alaska for the first time. I told him this moment could be the highlight of his trip. It still stands as the highlight of mine.