Mountain View: Cliffside Scenery in the Mountains

The Allure of Mountain Perches

Mountain views are grand, but the experience of gazing down from a cliff? It's the very essence of adventure. Because the perspective is so unique, this particular mountain vista is not just a pretty picture; it communicates the thrill of being elevated over a vast landscape. Especially inviting is the rugged terrain outlying a tiny winding road, which beckons the viewer towards serendipity. A lush valley gives way to a deep drop, where the wind whips around steep cliffs. The cliffs are natural yet stark, and they contrast with the green vegetation surrounding the mountains. The experience is all at once dangerous, inspiring and adventurous. The perspective is not about romantic sunsets — it's more elemental, more stark, a little bit dangerous.

Away from the Crowd

The world is becoming an increasingly crowded place. In big cities and small towns, vacation homes, and commercial properties, the number of humans is increasing, and less is left to nature. Close to 1/3 of humanity lives in rural areas. And these zones are shrinking. Mountain overviews provide a glimpse of the kind of spaces that will be disappear - namely the untouched natural world. Only through preservation of rural and mountainous areas can humanity breach back into the last few unimpeded wildernesses. Tourism to these spaces contribute to preservation efforts. These parks are not just for recreation, though they bring many benefits to their visitors. They also encourage conservation, provide natural habitats for many species and ensure the health of ecosystems. The tourism industry sees these parks as a valuable resource, but for anyone who wants to experience nature with a sense of awe and adventure, these spots are a necessary resource. The tendency to seek out these rugged overlooks is one of the core tennets of human creativity. For centuries the wilds have attracted artists of all kinds from painters to writers to musicians. The lonely horror of the vast spaces and great cliffs are romantic and terrifying.

The View

These spaces are visited for a specific purpose, to get a view from an unusual angle. It is almost always taken at an odd angle of a cliff or mountain; here, the viewer peeks over the edge. This kind of view isn't designed and manufactured; it is the result of the design of the Earth, the same way that a waterfall is the product of water and gravity. The edge of the cliff, the dropping ground, and the lush greenery are a product of the weather and the Earth's natural forces. One can see the person sitting at the cliff's edge, contemplating the landscape. The contrast between the bright red shirt, the vastness of the mountain, and the tiny perspective-with-in the landscape is a powerful metaphor.

The Experience

The unfolding view changes the way we see the world. To sit on a cliff is a challenge and an exercise. It brings us to the edge of the modern world, one of tombstones and orderly lawns, and into a world where gravity and the elements do what they want. The cliff face offers an experience of vertigo and disorientation, being on the edge of nature in a literal way. The world below the cliff is typified by winding roads which remind the viewer how humans deeply connect with the landscape. The road is the product of nature and human ambition, and it always doubles back on itself, going nowhere in particular. The person who took it from the cliff did so with the intention of going somewhere. Travelling down the winding road gives the viewer a sense of what it's like to travel through space and time.

Perspectives

The lush green vegetation spreads far and wide in the valley, and the contrast between the green and the mountain greys is especially remarkable. In this case, it is the green vegetation that captures the viewer's eye, but typically these valleys are defined by the contrast of colors (often autumnal browns) and the patterns of the graveled streets.

Plan Your Visit

• Find the view: Discover steep cliffs and winding roads in your favorite national or state park. The landscape of the area you visit will define your experience. Not all cliffs have winding roads or the views of the valley. Walk a little further, and you might find a new vista.
• Stay safe: the experience of the cliffs and valleys is a special one, but nothing can spoil this like a misstep. The person should pay attention and not wander off cliffs or mountain edges. Always maintain a safe distance. Check for loose rocks, and if you cannot maintain three points of contact, you should not continue.
• Respect the space: The remoteness of the area means it is already distant from human disruption, but that does not mean it is free of problems. Respect the space, and take your waste with you. Leave no trace. In these places, one can see the world as it is: earthy mountains, winding roads and a natural beauty.