ALT Nestled in the heart of Modoc County, California, the Middle Fork of Fitzhugh Creek winds through a pristine 2,100-acre wildlife preserve. This hidden gem provides an untouched habitat for native wildlife, including deer, pronghorns (Antilocapra americana), and an array of birds. The rugged landscape also hints at being prime territory for black bears (Ursus americanus)—truly a wild escape. On a solo 4-day camping trip, I ventured deep into the heart of this remote preserve, seeking a true disconnect from the everyday. Modoc County is one of the most remote areas in California, offering a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle. For nearly 6 hours, I wandered the backcountry, free from human contact, enveloped only by nature's sounds. The creek itself was a surprising discovery, one I had never heard of before that late spring day. I spent nearly 30 minutes soaking in the peaceful scene, basking in the diffused midday light from the soft overcast sky. It's a place that offers so

ALT Calm, glassy Lake Helen reflecting Lassen Peak and a band of evergreen forest under a clear blue sky, with smooth rocks visible beneath the clear water in the foreground. A long exposure smoothed the water's surface. Photographed in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, in September.

ALT False-color infrared photograph of a tall metal Aermotor windmill beside a small stream channel and a piece of rusty old farm equipment, in a field of pale, glowing grass, with low hills along the horizon and big white clouds in a blue sky. Photographed near Madeline in Lassen County, California, with a 590-nanometer filter.

ALT Weathered wooden shack with a stone chimney and collapsed wood debris beside it, surrounded by sagebrush and green desert shrubs, under dark storm clouds with a thin lightning bolt striking near distant mountains. Photographed in northern Lassen County, California, on an early June afternoon.