IT ALL STARTED WITH THE SNOW

A PORTFOLIO EDITED BY JEFF KIDA

PRECEDING PANEL: Frigid water flows between the snow-covered banks of Oak Creek in its namesake canyon near Sedona. The most prominent layer of Oak Creek Canyon's red rocks is the Schnebly Hill Formation, exposed by erosion over the past 3 million years. GUY SCHMICKLE ABOVE: A juniper wears a wintry coat amid a stand of mature ponderosa pines near the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The Canyon's South Rim sees about 5 feet of snow per year. RANDY PRENTICE RIGHT: Ancient granite defines a chilly view of the Prescott area's Goldwater Lake. This reservoir, formed by a dam on Banning Creek, is a popular recreation destination in warmer months. It's named for Morris Goldwater, who served a total of two decades as Prescott's mayor. GERRY GROEBER

PRECEDING PANEL: Heavy snow bends yucca stalks in the Dragoon Mountains, northeast of Tombstone. The Dragoons are perhaps best known as the final resting place of Apache chief Cochise, although the exact location of his grave is unknown. JACK DYKINGA

PRECEDING PANEL: A winter storm begins to clear from the Grand Canyon, as viewed from the snowy South Rim. Much of the inner Canyon receives little or no snow, owing to its lower elevation. CLAIRE CURRAN

PRECEDING PANEL: Clouds gather at sunset over snow-blanketed saguaros and chollas and obscure the Four Peaks, prominent summits in the Mazatzal Mountains. When skies are clear, the Four Peaks are a notable part of the Phoenix area's northeastern skyline. MARK CAPURSO LEFT: Agave spines protrude from a layer of snow beneath an Arizona sycamore in Portal, a small community in the Chiricahua Mountains of Southeastern Arizona. This area is known for its biodiversity and is a destination for birders, hikers and backpackers. BRUCE D. TAUBERT RIGHT: Rare heavy snow in Monument Valley punctuates a sunrise view of the Totem Pole (middle ground) and Yei Bichei. These formations are part of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a 92,000-acre site that straddles Arizona's border with Utah. DEREK VON BRIESEN AH