Thus far this summer, Colorado has managed to escape any significant wildfires. However, smoke from blazes burning in neighboring states has occasionally intruded on our normally blue skies. Such was the case last weekend when smoke from fires in Montana intruded. Certainly the cause of the smoke is not welcome but it does make for some nice sunrises and sunsets, like this early morning capture.
Golden sunflowers and the Mile High City
This sunflower field is absolutely massive and its location affords some fun, different views. While it was, unfortunately, a bit hazy on the morning this was taken, it was way cool to be able to get those blooming sunflowers in the foreground and Denver, Colorado in the background. Oh, yeah, there is also those Rocky Mountains in there too. 😉
I do count myself as privileged to have grown up here and have lived in this city most of my life. Historically, Denver was called the Queen City of the Plains. Both it, and the more common Mile High City nickname, seem quite appropriate.
A sign of the coming change of seasons?
Snow or hail? I am not sure which.
I headed up Mount Evans at dawn yesterday and noticed a surprising about of “white stuff” in the shadowed areas on Evans. To the south, the 13,523 ft high Epaulet Mountain (pictured) had quite a coating of white.
There clearly had been rain at lower elevations the day before as I saw many spots where washouts had crossed the road. However, the stuff I was able to touch sure looked like snow, not melted hail and it was also 41 degrees at the summit so…
Snow or hail? I’m not sure but given it is now the middle of August, it could be snow and an early sign of the coming change of seasons. I for one am not in any rush for the “white stuff”!
Note: I asked the National Weather Service via Twitter and they said it was likely hail / graupel.
Tellurium Peak views in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
Going to places like this is always a highlight of my trips to the Colorado high country. It took a long, rough ride on our ATVs to get there but, so worth it!
The views were stunning and the quiet was almost deafening. My wife and kids and I just sat, soaking it all in together, watching the clouds move above the ridgeline against those blue skies.
Thanks to late spring snows, the landscape was covered in lush, green vegetation which really popped next to the reds and browns of the mountains.
Stunning cliffs and mountains from 12,000 feet
Yeah, don’t get too close to that edge. While the view is beautiful, the fall is a killer. 😉
From our recent trip to Gunnison National Forest, this mountaintop stop affording stunning 360 degree views. Here, I was facing north with the “back side” of the Collegiate Peaks off to the right.
The big peak in the distance on the far left is 13,385-foot high Italian Mountain, said to be named that due to the green, white and red colors in its slopes that mimic the Italian flag.
Honoring Old Glory, taking in God’s grandeur
On our recent trip to Gunnison National Forest, the highlight (for me) was ascending American Flag Mountain. Yeah, we used our side-by-side and ATVs but it counts. 😉
At 12,713 feet high, the mountain is aptly named as you can see and provides amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. We were in no rush to start the trip down and back to camp as no matter which direction you looked, you had to stop and soak it all in.
Such was the case with my son. He walked out to the cliff’s edge and just stopped and for the longest time just looked… and looked… and looked. I have some better pics to share in the future showing the view from up there but this one really appeals to me the most.
High-altitude sunrise starburst for Sunrise Sunday
Driving up toward the summit of Mount Evans this past weekend in the pre-dawn hours, my friend and I could see the show starting to unfold to the east. As we ascended, it became clear sunrise was going to be quite photo-worthy. “We have to stop!” we both said simultaneously and of course we did.
Before the sun topped the horizon, the clouds were lit in deep reds and oranges. I knew what was to come so I positioned myself so when the star emerged, it would be in the “valley” between the two mountains, yielding a beautiful starburst. Awesome stuff!
Bluebells and rushing water
After two weeks with nary a click on my cameras, I was able to get out this past weekend and spend some quality time in nature. Sunday’s destination was Mount Evans which required a 4:00am departure from the house to make it up high in time for sunrise (those pics to come later). On the way home, I stopped by this little waterfall / creek area that I have come to enjoy. As always it was beautiful – lush and green with the sounds of mountain waters rushing down the hill. These beautiful bluebells provided a nice foreground for this shot and the creek’s waters accent the scene.
The Needles in black and white
The drive on Needles Highway is only 14 miles long but it offers some stunning views that can make the trip take quite a while if you slow down and stop to soak it all in.
The highlight on the route are views of the Needles, dominating granite rock formations that jut form the landscape and tower above.
Seen here are the Cathedral Spires (I think), probably the most notable formation. I opted for a high contrast conversion to black and white to really show off the depth and detail in the rocks.
From the plains to the snow-covered Rocky Mountains
Yup, THIS is Colorado!
One benefit of rain and snowstorms like we saw this past weekend is that it really helps to clear the air, literally. This was quite evident yesterday morning as this stunning scene unfolded with crystal clear skies. The sun lit up the mountains and the fresh blanket of snow on them west of Denver brilliantly.
It was nothing short of gorgeous and as I drove along, I stopped at least a half dozen times taking bunches of pics. This came away as my favorite. I love the road disappearing over the horizon with those stunning peaks beyond and