Scenic and Aesthetic Benefits of Wilderness
Artists use the rolling dunes in the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness as a source of creativity.
Wilderness is often associated with expansive natural landscapes, sometimes highlighted by clear blue skies, a radiant sunset, or a dazzling display of stars. While some people will never visit wilderness, and many will view it only through a car window, anyone can visit wilderness in their mind or in photographs. In fact,
Ansel Adams, renowned conservation photographer for whom the Ansel Adams Wilderness in California is named, was inspired by the awesome vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. From the wind and wave sculpted islands of the Oregon Islands Wilderness to the thundering of Punchbowl Falls in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness or the towering heights of El Capitan in the Yosemite Wilderness, magnificent scenery is compelling, awe inspiring and humbling for us all.
The Milky Way shines brightly above the Death Valley Wilderness despite the glow on the horizon from nearby cities.
Drawn initially to grand scenery, we sometimes discover the subtle beauty of the small wonders that add to the big picture. From multi-colored mushrooms to patches of moss, we can find a connection to grand places on a small scale too. The sudden change from a hot sunny day to a powerful storm exploding in lightning and roaring thunder; the delightful sound of a trickling stream; the feel of bark from an ancient Bristlecone pine; the morning light beaming on cliffs and ridges; a glassy lake reflecting a peak. The scenic beauty of wilderness is captured in what we see, but also in what we don't see or hear. Natural darkness, for example, reveals stars normally obscured by city lights. These are scenic visions and moments we cherish, whether seen in books, on TV, with our own eyes or heard with our own ears.
