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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