The Eye of the Snow Mountain: A Winter Dialogue Between Yema Haizi and the Gongga Mountain Range

1. Exploring the Secret Realm: The Geographic Coordinates of Yema Haizi Hidden deep within the folded mountains of Yajiageng in Kangding, beside the Xuemenkang Viewing Platform at an altitude of 4150 meters, lies the "Bright Eye of the Snow Mountain" in the Western Sichuan trekking circle—Yema Haizi. This alpine lake, sculpted by glacial meltwater, is surrounded on three sides by snow-capped peaks reaching 6000 meters. The open view to the east perfectly frames the main peaks of the Gongga Mountain Range. In winter, Yema Haizi presents a low-saturation icy aesthetic: the emerald blue ice surface reflects the metallic sheen of the Gongga snow peaks, while the sea of clouds churns at 4000 meters altitude, creating a striking visual contrast with the blue-tiled white walls of Moxi Ancient Town just 3 kilometers away. 2. Viewing Route: From the Trekking Start Point to the Visual Feast (round trip about 6 km, 600 meters ascent): 1. Departure from Xuemenkang (altitude 3800 meters): At dawn, cross snow-covered alpine meadows, where the rustling sound of crampons scraping the snow resonates with the distant jingling of yak neck bells. 2. Ridge Viewing Platform (altitude 4000 meters): A 360° snow mountain theater unfolds here, with the pyramid-shaped summit of Gongga Main Peak at 7556 meters first coming into view. Its northern slopes feature Tianhaizi Peak (6070 meters) and Shehaizi Peak (5878 meters), forming a perfect array of snow mountains. 3. Core Area of Yema Haizi (altitude 4150 meters): The blue ice on the lake surface can be up to 30 centimeters thick. The deep blue visible through ice cracks contrasts with the snow-capped fir forests on the western slope of Gongga Mountain, creating a collision of cool and warm tones. The best time for photography is one hour after sunrise, when the morning mist has not yet dissipated, producing a double exposure effect of the snow mountain silhouette on the lake surface. 3. Weather Code: Unlocking the Golden Moments to See the True Face of Gongga 1. Meteorological Window: It is recommended to choose clear weather, from two hours after sunrise until 10 a.m. This is the period of best atmospheric transparency, with the golden sunlight on Gongga Main Peak lasting up to 45 minutes. 2. Formation of the Sea of Clouds: When the warm, moist southwest airflow meets the cold air on the eastern slope of Gongga, stratocumulus clouds often form above 4500 meters. The probability of clear days in December reaches 70%, but beware of sudden afternoon snow showers that can sharply reduce visibility. 3. Light and Shadow Magic: Use the "rule of thirds" composition, placing Gongga Main Peak on the right two-thirds of the frame, leaving the left side blank for the rolling sea of clouds. A polarizing filter can enhance the reflective quality of the ice surface, and long exposures (2-5 seconds) capture the silky texture of the moving clouds. 4. Equipment List: Down jacket, water-repellent shell jacket, high-top waterproof hiking boots, crampons, trekking poles, gaiters.