Lake Federa between autumn and winter

On the way back from my trip to Florence, I added a stay in the autumnal Dolomites. I was actually two weeks too late for the visit to Lake Federa near Cortina d’Ampezzo: the peak of the yellow-golden larch colours had already passed in these mountain regions. The trees were already shedding their needles and the nights were getting very frosty for sleeping in the roof tent. Despite a good down sleeping bag and insulation, it’s still uncomfortable and always takes a lot of effort. Since it had snowed in the previous days, the snow-capped higher mountain regions already signalled the transition to winter.

Therefore, although a photo of the colourful larches backlit by the sunrise was no longer possible, the wonderfully situated Lago Federa offered many alternative motifs.

In the late afternoon, the sun was still high enough above the Ambrizzola pass to vividly illuminate the mountain forests below the striking Becco di Mezzodì rock needle. An almost windless day provided the best conditions for a perfect reflection in the dark waters of the Federa mountain lake. So, instead of the landscape, I focused on nearby motifs and new compositions by the lake.

A young couple from Norway was sitting on a rock by the shore of the lake. They mentioned in passing that they had been travelling through the Dolomites in their camper for the last four weeks and had experienced great impressions with sunny autumn weather and the mountain forests at their peak colour. Today they had hiked to this lake from their spot on the road to the Passo Giau, which also offers great views, and were visibly impressed by this unique panorama.

In lower altitudes, however, such as in the Cadore or Gader valleys, the forests were still colourfully decorated. With a view of the Puez-Odle Group and the Sella Massif, I said goodbye to the Dolomites for this autumn.