Joey Priola Wilderness Photography

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  • Self-portrait from a rocky ledge overlooking pure autumn wilderness in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Wide-Eyed Wilderness
  • Rime ice covers the trees on the summit of Tabletop Mountain, in the High Peaks Wilderness of New York's rugged Adirondack Mountains. Rime ice is formed when small supercooled water droplets freeze on contact with a surface, such as a tree branch, which is at a sub-freezing temperature.
    Ice Bouquets
  • An abstract view of the frozen surface of a creek in the Jay Mountain Wilderness. Adirondacks, New York.
    Ice Veins
  • Wilderness travel can be one of the most challenging and humbling activities imaginable. With the right skills and attitude, however, there's nothing more rewarding and rejuvenating than disconnecting from the modern world and fully immersing yourself in the wilds. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Rejuvenation
  • Two small islands appear through thick fog and reflect in a still lake on a late-fall morning. Even after the colorful leaves of autumn drop and fade, there's still much beauty to be seen and photographed in the wilderness. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    An Autumn Haunting
  • Fog rolls over a mountainside covered in beautiful autumn foliage in the Hoffman Notch Wilderness. The scenery and solitude that I found here was yet another reminder that there is so much more to the Adirondacks than the popular, well-known locales.
    Lost in the Mist
  • Inviting Pharaoh Lake beckons the hot and tired hiker to take a dip. Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, Adirondacks.
    Take a Dip
  • The Adirondacks in winter is quite possibly my personal favorite photography subject. In particular,  the gnarled and hardy evergreens that occupy tree line and the beginning of the alpine zone make my heart pound and creativity flow unlike anything else found in nature when they become covered with snow in the depths of winter. After climbing the surprisingly deserted trail to the summit of Cascade, I was greeted with a windchill that approached -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and a fantasy-land of pure winter magic unlike anything I had seen before. The challenging weather conditions only added to the experience and made it that much more memorable, and as the sun dipped below the distant mountains and the most intense post-sunset glow I've ever witnessed emanated through the sky, I raced around like a madman capturing as many photos as I could. After the sky shifted from orange, to pink, to blue, to black, I began my descent down the dark and lonely trail, reveling in the feeling of pure ecstasy that only comes from the wilderness and doing what you love most in the world.
    Ecstasy
  • Vibrant autumn colors pop along the banks of a creek in the Hoffman Notch Wilderness. The scenery and solitude that I found in this corner of the Adirondacks, even on a holiday weekend, was a pleasant surprise after deciding to brave the wet, rainy weather on this October afternoon.
    Birch Haven
  • The Roaring Plains Wilderness is the epitome of West Virginia's state slogan: Wild and Wonderful.  Located on the rim of Long Run Canyon, far from any official trail,  the depressions in the rock in this photo gather spruce needles and fallen leaves, staining the rock and water red as they decay. The challenging terrain, remoteness, and beauty of the Roaring Plains made it my favorite backpacking destination in West Virginia, where I would often escape while living in Baltimore for grad school. Roaring Plains West Wilderness, West Virginia.
    Spruce Tea
  • Massive and striking Banner Peak glows with the first light of the day, and towers over Garnet Lake and one of its many islands. Ansel Adams Wilderness, California.
    In the Shadow of Giants (color version)
  • A beautiful autumn sunrise at one of my all-time favorite campsites,  located in West Virginia's Roaring Plains West Wilderness. Some of the best backpacking, views, and campsites in the East can be found here.
    The One That Started it All
  • Yours truly, greeting the start of another beautiful day at remote and deserted Iceberg Lake. Taken partway through a solo 9 day backpacking adventure in California’s Ansel Adams Wilderness.
    Strength Through Solitude
  • An abstract composition of cracked granite rock and its reflection in a perfectly calm Iceberg Lake. Ansel Adams Wilderness, California.
    Time to Reflect
  • The Minarets reflect in Iceberg Lake shortly after sunrise, on a calm morning deep in California's Ansel Adams Wilderness.
    Psychoanalysis
  • The Milky Way galaxy shines in the night sky above the jagged Minarets, as seen from the fractured granite bedrock at Iceberg Lake. Ansel Adams Wilderness, California.
    Runway to the Galaxy
  • The jagged spires of the Minarets  rise above the aquamarine waters of Iceberg Lake on a beautiful summer morning deep in California's Ansel Adams Wilderness.
    Transparency
  • Stars and the Milky Way streak through the night sky above Iceberg Lake and the Minarets, deep in the High Sierra. Ansel Adams Wilderness, California.
    Meditations
  • After an evening thunderstorm passed through, a sublime scene unfolded at Ediza Lake. Beams of light shot up through the sky behind Banner Peak and Mount Ritter, bathing the clouds and lake in a warm glow. Ansel Adams Wilderness, California.
    Revelation
  • Every June, blooming mountain laurel provides a splash of pink to the already beautiful backcountry of West Virginia's Dolly Sods Wilderness.
    Sweet Smell of Summer
  • Beams of light break through dramatic clouds shortly before sunset, as a lone hiker takes in the view from a rocky perch high above Red Creek. Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia.
    Perspective
  • A sunflower sea star crawls along the sand in the shallow water of a coastal tide pool in the backcountry of Washington's Olympic National Park. Watching this sea star scuttle about was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had in the wilderness, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had it. Beginning in 2013, the year that I took this photo, a mysterious sea star wasting disease coupled with rising ocean temperatures has virtually wiped the once prolific sunflower sea star out of existence on the North American West Coast.
    Ode to Ned
  • Vibrant greenery and blooming mountain laurel adorn striking white sandstone boulders that can be found throughout West Virginia's Dolly Sods Wilderness.
    Pleasant Surprise
  • When I close my eyes and daydream of past adventures, this is what I see - a beautiful sunset, wilderness all around, and an endless vista that beckons me to keep exploring. Olympic National Park, Washington.
    Daydreams of my Youth
  • A clutch of Rocky Mountain Columbines, a 13,000+ foot peak, and a high alpine lake combine to form the quintessential Colorado landscape. Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado.
    Colorado
  • There are moments in life when time seems to stand still. When all the outside noise slips away and the mind, body, and spirit are focused entirely on the moment at hand. For me, the wilderness is where I go to seek these moments. Whether it's been a stunning sunset along the ocean, a rewarding winter view after a punishing climb, or hearing the haunting call of a loon echo across a foggy lake, I've been fortunate to experience countless moments where nature has taken my breath away and made time stand still. Out of all these moments, there's one that stands out from the rest. On a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we were dying to see black bears in the wild. After a couple days of exploration with no sightings, we were rewarded with what likely was the greatest experience we've ever had in the wilds. A mama bear and her three cubs were hanging out at the base of a walnut tree, which itself was exhilarating to see. But then the cubs got restless, and began to climb the walnut tree. We stood awestruck as they deftly scaled the thin branches that swayed in the evening breeze, and I could feel my heart pounding so much with excitement that it felt like it would burst. This was one of those rare moments that cause you to ask aloud "is this real?" because it's unlike anything that your eyes have seen before. This was indeed real, and was a moment we'll never forget.
    Time Stood Still
  • Just after sunrise on a late September morning, I awoke at my backcountry campsite to find a beautiful combination of soft light, fall foliage, and morning fog from a rocky lookout. I utilized a long exposure to reveal the motion of the clouds streaking through the sky and the fog ever so slightly rolling over the mountain ridges. Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia.
    Mystery of Time
  • Since I’ve had some extra time on my hands lately, it’s given me a chance to dig through the archives and revisit some photos that I had long forgotten about, including a number of shots from trips to West Virginia while I was in grad school at Johns Hopkins. The Monongahela National Forest epitomizes the West Virginia state slogan of Wild and Wonderful, and my journeys to the incredible wilderness areas of the Mon always left me feeling rejuvenated and inspired, and were a welcome respite from the general chaos that is grad school. On a spring camping trip to Spruce Knob Lake, I came across a ghostly old tree stump and roots at sunset that were just barely poking up above the surface of the lake. A tuft of grass was somehow sprouting up out of the old stump, which seems like the perfect metaphor for hope and rebirth in these crazy, scary times amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
    Rebirth
  • While backpacking up to Marmot Pass and Buckhorn Mountain, a break in the clouds and forest perfectly framed the aptly named Mount Mystery. Buckhorn Wilderness, Washington.
    Breakout
  • One of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had in the wilderness happened at the start of a backpacking trip in Utah’s Coyote Gulch. With an ominous thunderstorm rapidly approaching, my friend and I sought shelter in an alcove (center-left in this photo), which ended up being quite possibly the most amazing and unique campsite of our lives. From our sandstone haven, we watched lightning electrify the sky and canyon, and listened to thunder boom and reverberate off the canyon walls. We stood in awe as waterfalls began to pour down over the canyon rim, and felt a deep spiritual connection to our caveman predecessors. I took this photo the following morning, with the creek swollen with rainwater and runoff, and remnant storm clouds above the canyon walls catching the beautiful sunrise glow. Coyote Gulch, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah.
    After the Storm
  • Rime ice covers the trees on the summit of Tabletop Mountain, with Haystack off in the distancw. Rime ice is formed when small supercooled water droplets freeze on contact with a surface, such as a tree branch, which is at a sub-freezing temperature. Adirondack High Peaks, NY.
    Winter's Grasp
  • A beautiful view of Gothics and Pyramid on a sunny winter day, as seen from the summit of Sawteeth. The picturesque slides on the face of Gothics give this portion of the Great Range an exceptionally alpine feel, particularly in the winter. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Cut Once
  • The snowy landscape picks up a brilliant sunset glow high in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Ice in the Veins
  • Peak autumn foliage spreads out below the snow-capped summit of Algonquin Peak, as morning fog drifts off the surface of a lake on a cold October morning a half hour before sunrise. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Ephemeral
  • Indian Falls is a beloved spot in the Adirondack High Peaks, and I have fond memories of laying out on the sun-warmed bedrock next to the falls after my dad and I climbed Mount Marcy together years ago. There would be no lounging around on this day, but the view looking out to the MacIntyre Range from Indian Falls might be even more beautiful in winter.
    Remember When
  • Bare trees and late autumn color on a mountainside at sunset in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Bare it All
  • A sliver of morning light strikes the face of a mountain covered in beautiful fall foliage. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Sunrise Spotlight
  • A lone maple tree stands out from its evergreen friends on a small island in Indian Lake on a perfect autumn afternoon.
    Stand out From the Crowd
  • Dappled sunlight and beautiful autumn foliage on a cloudy afternoon in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Curtain Call
  • Fall colors shrouded in fog on a mountainside in the Adirondack High Peaks.
    Head In The Clouds
  • Fog rolls over the Adirondack Mountains at dawn on a chilly fall morning.
    Autumn Closing In
  • Flaming berry bushes covered in the first frost of the season catch the morning light. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Torched
  • An intimate view of a toad seeking refuge in a hole in the face of a boulder. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Is it Safe to Come Out?
  • An evergreen branch coated in rime ice reaches out like the frosty hand of winter on a sunny but frigid January day. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    A Touch of Frost
  • The mountains were calling, so we went and got married! Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Unity
  • A loon takes a pause from its search for breakfast to stretch its wings. I loved how the early morning light made the space between the loon's wing feathers seem to glow. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Inner Glow
  • Fallen leaves decorate a river shoreline and intermingle with beautifully rounded stones on a drizzly autumn day. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Autumn Spread
  • The setting sun broke through the clouds just enough to bring the snowy landscape to life. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Renewal
  • There's nothing like exploring the High Peaks after a snowstorm. After photographing the sunset from just below the summit of Marcy, descending into the sanctuary of the forest was a welcome escape from the hostile, wind-raked alpine zone. Soft moonlight illuminated the snowy evergreens with delicate light, and my descent of the mountain took much longer than it should have as I stopped often to attempt to capture the beauty. I passed this stand of evergreens on my way to the summit earlier in the day, and immediately became enraptured by the large tree on the left of this photo, as I had never before seen a tree caked with so much snow. The light from the moon was just strong enough to illuminate the snowy trees, and a slight halo in the thin fog around the moon added a final touch of etherealness. Knowing that I was the only person still out on the mountain made this moment all the more special, and helped to make the experience one of the most memorable ones I've had in these mountains. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    To the Heavens
  • Evergreens covered in rime ice stand like frozen sentinels at dusk keeping guard of the alpine zone of Algonquin Peak. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Summit Sentinels
  • Skiers hoof their way to some backcountry turns in the Adirondacks. Watching them whiz down the mountain as I trudged along made me wish I could replace my snowshoes with some skis!
    Summit Reward
  • Amanda and Maggie take a breather and enjoy the view of Indian Lake from our island campsite on a perfect fall day.
    A Girl's Best Friend
  • Tending to the fire on a cold autumn night. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Light of Life
  • Beautiful autumn foliage blankets a mountainside in the Adirondack High Peaks as the morning fog breaks just enough to allow the rising sun to bathe the landscape in warm light.
    Patience
  • A frog floats on the surface of Thirteenth Lake in the Adirondacks on a sunny summer morning.
    Whatcha Doin' In My Waters?
  • Intense sunset light illuminates the snowy mountains on a cold winter day. Light like this is incredibly fleeting, but witnessing the snowy landscape come to life while on a deserted summit makes the time and effort required to experience and photograph these special moments oh so worth it. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Always Worth It
  • Hardy, snow-covered trees found high up the mountains are one of my favorite winter photography subjects, but what really drew me to this scene was the blanket of clouds on the distant mountains at dusk. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Insulation
  • Beautiful sunset light makes the snowy winter landscape come alive. The solitude and dramatic beauty of winter makes it my favorite time of year to explore the mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Higher and Higher
  • Nothing is better than spending time in the great outdoors with the ones you love. Adirondack Mountains, New York
    Fallen For You
  • A summer sunset above a rocky brook in the Adirondacks. The banks of this brook made the perfect spot to propose to my now wife.
    Adirondack Amore
  • Whiteface Mountain rises up from the valley into the clouds, as seen from below the summit of Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Layers of Whiteface
  • Winter comes early in the mountains. Although the calendar said there was over two months til it began, the first snow of the season blanketed the summits of the Adirondack High Peaks in early October as fall colors were peaking at lower elevations.
    Changing of the Guard
  • Is there a better way to spend a hot summer day than on a pristine and wild Adirondack lake?<br />
<br />
This image was featured in the Adirondack Mountain Club 2021 calendar for the month of July.
    Float Away
  • Bizarre, otherworldly details in the blue ice formed from the spray of Rainbow Falls take on the form of aliens and ghouls. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Invasion
  • Peak fall foliage and the beautiful colors of sunrise reflect in Heart Lake. Adirondacks High Peaks, New York.
    Heart of the High Peaks II
  • Snowy evergreens on the summit of Cascade bask in an incredible post-sunset glow. The stunning beauty of the mountains on this frigid winter day was made all the more memorable by the frigid -30 degree windchill that the evergreens and I endured as we took in the most beautiful winter sunset I've ever seen. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Transcendence
  • Flaming fall colors surround a lake in the Adirondack High Peaks.
    Eye for Autumn
  • A young buck deftly crosses a river in the Adirondacks. Seeing wildlife while out for a hike is always a treat, especially in such a beautiful setting.
    Near and Deer
  • A heron paused from its quest for dinner to say hello as I paddled by on an Adirondack pond.
    Open Wide
  • Soft sunset light spreads across the sky and adds some warmth to the snowy winter mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    A Winter Friend
  • A band of post-sunset color adds a touch of vibrancy to the snowy and moody winter mountain landscape. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    The Thrill of Exploration
  • Lush ferns and birch trunks along an Adirondack lake.
    Signs of Summer
  • Wind-carved snow and trees covered in rime ice created a magical winter scene near the summit of Algonquin Peak, on one of those rare winter days where the sun shines so bright and the air is so still that it makes you wish that spring would never come. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Mesmerized
  • Beautiful blue ice hangs from the cliff beside the last unfrozen veils of Rainbow Falls. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    When Rainbows Freeze
  • Fall colors and dramatic clouds reflect in Heart Lake after sunset. Adirondacks, New York.
    Heart of the High Peaks
  • Moonlight illuminates snowy evergreens on a clear and starry winter night. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Signs in the Sky
  • The girls taking in the view from the rocky shore of a crystalline Adirondack lake on a beautiful October afternoon. (Image also available without the hiker and dog).
    Ghosts of Fall
  • After a morning of dense fog and clouds, the sun broke out just in time to sit down and enjoy the view.
    Good Morning Life
  • A loon gracefully glides across a still Adirondack pond on a calm summer morning. I purposely underexposed this image to put the focus on the beautiful shape and feather patterns of the loon.
    Out From the Shadows
  • Delicate hoar frost coats the branches of a tree on a clear and chilly winter morning in the Adirondacks. Hoar frost forms when water vapor in the air comes into contact with a solid surface (like a tree branch) that is already below the freezing point.
    Winter Delicacy
  • A couple enjoys an afternoon paddle on a warm September day that looked like autumn but felt like summer. Indian Lake, New York.
    Second Summer
  • Fresh snow blankets the evergreens along the trail to Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Powder
  • Sometimes a photograph comes to fruition at the spur of the moment, with little to no planning or previsualization. Other times, however, much preparation and just the right circumstances are required for a vision to become reality. This photo of sunset from the snowy alpine zone below the summit of Mount Marcy falls squarely into the latter category, as I had been wanting to make this image for the past three winters before everything came together in early March 2020. After the Adirondacks got covered in 3 feet of snow from possibly the last snow storm of the season, I set off from the Adirondack Loj hopeful that I would finally be able to make the images that I had long sought. The trail conditions were fantastic, as other hikers and skiers had thankfully packed the powder down the previous day. As I gradually crept closer to the summit, my excitement grew as I realized that I'd finally have a chance to capture the photo that I sought for so long. I arrived at the summit area later than I had hoped, as I stopped often en route to the summit to photograph the snowy paradise that I hiked through. The quiet serenity of the forest was abruptly replaced by the howling winds of the alpine zone, and I searched out some compositions while struggling to stay warm. As the sun went down and the landscape was bathed in soft light, the beauty of the scene and the fact that I was capturing the photos that I had sought for so long made me forget about the cold and wind and the long hike out in the darkness. As the sky began to darken and I packed up for the journey down the mountain, I took one last look towards the summit of Marcy, and it dawned on me that in that moment, I was the highest  person in the state. In elevation, as well as spirit. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Above All Else
  • Fiery sunset light sets krummholz (a German word meaning "crooked wood" that's used to describe stunted, windblown trees) coated in rime ice ablaze. Adirondack High Peaks, New York
    Flamethrower
  • Towering Mount Marcy pokes through the clouds and catches the warm light of sunset. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Layers of Marcy
  • The snowy summit of Whiteface Mountain barely pokes above the clouds at dusk. The pink glow in the sky is known as the "Belt of Venus" and is commonly seen on clear days before sunrise and after sunset. It appears 10-20 degrees above the horizon on top of the Earth's dark blue shadow that's found just above the horizon, and the crisp low humidity days of winter seem to make this phenomenon appear stronger than other times of the year. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Island in the Sky
  • A beautiful sunrise over Whiteface capped off a wonderful fall getaway to a cabin in the mountains.
    Do We Have to Leave?
  • Spectacular fall foliage blankets the mountainsides surrounding Indian Lake.  The many incredible paddling and hiking options at Indian Lake quickly made this one of our favorite areas of the Adirondacks.
    The Scenic Route
  • Freshly fallen maple leaves rest on a piece of birch bark in the Adirondack Mountains.
    Treasures of the Forest
  • Puffy clouds drift across the sky above Whiteface on our wedding day. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Wedding Day
  • A pristine brook cascades over boulders after a summer sunset in the Adirondacks.
    Purity
  • A maple tree near Heart Lake in all its autumn glory. An Adirondack Mountain Club volunteer that I met while making this image told me that she knew someone that had been coming to the campground every autumn for 30 years, who used this tree as a gauge for autumn's progress. The gauge was reading "Peak" on this October morning!
    The Tree
  • Krummholz (a German word meaning "crooked wood" that's used to describe stunted, windblown trees) coated in rime ice picks up the delicate post-sunset glow on a frigid summit in the Adirondacks.
    Alpine Ice Garden
  • Evening lights shines on snowy krummholz and distant mountains as the valley in between plunges into darkness. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    The Darkness In Between
  • Towering, whimsical evergreens caked with snow made it feel like I was hiking to Whoville. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Hiking to Whoville
  • Ominous clouds fill the sky before a fall storm hits. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Impending Doom
  • A lone maple that has somehow managed to take root in a narrow, rocky island   shows off its bright fall color as it watches the mountains peek above pre-sunrise fog on Indian Lake.
    Isolation
  • A beautiful sunset reflects in a placid pond during a backcountry canoe camping trip in the Adirondacks.
    Inner Peace
  • Morning fog rises from a lake ringed with beautiful autumn foliage. Look ever so closely and you'll see a flock of geese through the fog on the surface of the lake. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
    Call Through the Mist
  • The moon shines in the clear winter sky and illuminates snowy evergreens below the summit of Mount Marcy. Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
    Sanctuary
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