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Spring colors of the Predel and Vršič passes
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Our first stop was at Gozd Martuljek to admire the morning light over the green meadows and snow-capped mountains.
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After a brief coffee break in Kranjska Gora we headed to the Mangart lakes, already in Italy. There was still so much snow!
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The two lakes are unbelievably green.
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The upper lake and the ring of mountains with Mt. Mangart and Mt. Ponca.
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It will take a long time before all the snow in the mountains melts.
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Steep ravines off Mt. Mangart.
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The forest on the opposite slope was already bright green.
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Only wearing short sleaves we trudged through wet and heavy snow to get to the shore.
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Mt. Mangart was shrouded in clouds.
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I took a photo of Mt. Mangart and only noticed later at home that there were two climbers descending from the top. Can you see them?
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The lower lake was just as green.
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Reflections.
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Here you can see the amount of snow along the road.
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The Edelweiss hut.
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We continued past Trbiž to the Rabelj Lake. This small islet is so photogenic, but the light was harsh.
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After crossing the border one more time at Predel pass we were back in Slovenia. A bridge is being built across a ravine.
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The first village on the Slovenian side, Strmec, has a beautiful backdrop.
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The clouds cooperated, too.
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And just before reaching the village of Log pod Mangartom we were rewarded with this view. I was speechless. The play of light on the meadow was a bonus.
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I think this scene, if nothing else, made the whole trip worthwhile.
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A broader view with the fisheye.
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Two imposing peaks: Mt. Mangart and Mt. Jalovec.
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An avalanche amidst already green woods will take a while before it melts.
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Backlit bright green leaves.
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The valley of Koritnica was a joy to drive through.
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Just outside Bovec we turned right directly into the Trenta valley. Of course, we had to stop and admire River Soča.
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Soča is supposed to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. It also called the Emerald River. It's easy to understand why. :)
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A scene from the Trenta valley.
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This is the section where River Soča flows through deep troughs.
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Soča.
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One of the many footbridges across the river.
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A typical scene from the Trenta valley.
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A monument to Dr. Julius Kugy, a great admirer of the Julian Alps.
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The view towards Mt. Jalovec.
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There were clouds dancing around the peak of Mt. Jalovec.
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Winter conditions in the mountains.
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This is one of the most beautiful rock faces in the Slovenian mountains for me: Veliko Špičje.
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A viewing platform along the road to the Vršič pass.
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Dramatic weather.
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Looking towards the valley of Zadnja Trenta.
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We weren't far from the top of the Vršič pass, which was opened for vehicles for the first day this year.
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The amount of snow at Vršič is astounding: over 10 meters in places. It took many days for the snow ploughs to clear the road.
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The cars are dwarfed by the massive snow walls along the road.
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The Vršič pass (1611 meters above sea level).
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The snow wall looming over the car.
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It felt almost like driving through a tunnel.
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One of the highest snow walls. See for yourself.
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A bit lower, at the Erjavčeva hut, the situation is similar.
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Layers of snow over a milestone.
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We completed the loop by returning to Kranjska Gora and caught a glimpse of a reddish sunset on the way home. The views from Gozd Martuljek are always spectacular.
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Reddish glow in the mountains.
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Mt. Kukova špica.
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Pink clouds.
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