Black Powder Pass sits above Boreas Pass near Breckenridge Colorado. You must hike to get to this pass from either the French Creek from the north or from Boreas Pass on the south. Either way, you will be treated with gorgeous Rocky Mountain views on all sides.
Beautiful waterfalls on Treasure Creek in the San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. We hiked on Summit Trail to these falls which were dappled in nice midday sunlight, perfect to sit beside and have lunch and listen to the sounds of the roaring stream.
The fifth highest peak in Colorado at 14,336 feet above mean sea level. It is part of the Sawatch Range in central Colorado.
A beautiful sunset Cordova Pass near West Spanish Peak. This section of the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado is unique in that it sits on the border of New Mexico. You can see the vast plains to the east and other mountain ranges north, south and west. This sunset occurred between storms that covered the region for a few days. This increased the beauty of the sunset and was a wonder to witness.
Memorial Day snow hit the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. It was a beautiful sight to see the snow on Red Peak near Berthoud Pass. Puts a big smile on my face.
The Front Range in Colorado is my home. My souI feels content while watching the sun set in the west with colors and shadows moving over the landscape. Sheeprock near the Lost Creek Wilderness is one of my favorite places that most people don’t know about. A wonderful monolith that sits in the middle of the Hayman Fire burn area that scorched the Rockies in 2002. This unfortunate fire burned most of the forest down and exposed the landscape. It is now a surreal place which exposes the Rockies underlying skeleton and great opportunities for exploration and reflection.
Hiking to the 12,000+ foot Summit of Glacier Peak I ran into a beautiful meadow of Rocky Mountain Wildflowers including Alpine Daisies near the top. I had to relax in the meadow and take some photographs. Glacier Peak is a moderate and gentle summit located near Georgia Pass in the southwestern region of Colorado’s Front Range. Stradling the Continental Divide, Glacier Peak surveys a lot of territory. It is archetypal of the summits in this region possessing a relaxed demeanor much like that of nearby Whale Peak. Glacier Peak is visible from US 285 near the small town of Jefferson; it rises as a “Squaretop” ridge on the northwestern mountainous boundary of South Park.
A couple who hiked to the summit of Mount Evans to watch the sun set on the Colorado Rocky Mountains. A serene scene that just refills the soul… nothing like sunsets on 14ers.
It is wonderful to explore the 4X4 backcountry roads in the Colorado Rockies on a beautiful crisp autumn morning in mid-September. Awesome gold and orange colored aspens can cross your path at any turn.
Hiking the continental divide trail north of Idaho Springs, Colorado we came across large Loch Lomonde and smaller iced lakes. This area is part of the James Peak Wilderness and sits just below the awesome 13,000+ foot James Peak which cannot be seen in this photo because it rises to the right of the scene. The upper lakes were frozen over and had a rich blue tint to the ice. It was photographed in late November before the heavy snows had some. If you ever get a chance hike to this area.
On our evening saunter over the alpine ridges above Loveland Pass we encountered a young man who was enjoying the wonderful beauty of the high Colorado Rockies. He was sitting on a rock outcropping with the majestic vistas in all directions. He appeared to be in meditation but after chatting for a moment I found he was in awe and contemplation of the wonderful location he was experiencing. I feel the same way when out sauntering the summits. I took this photograph of him on the way back down to Loveland Pass just as the sun set on the 12,000+ foot summit behind him.
A few yellow Old Man of the Mountains flowers in the alpine ridges above Winter Park, Colorado. These flowers usually face east to the morning sun and that is where they are facing in the photos. Winter Park’s ski runs can be seen on the mountains behind. I was hiking off the Continental Divide Trail towards Devil’s Thumb north of Corona Pass and could not help myself but explore the summer flowers blooming in the Colorado “High Country”.
September in Colorado's Rocky Mountains is a vibrant display of autumn's colors. The sides of mountains can be a gorgeous palette of warm reds, bright golds and subdued greens against a deep blue sky. We are definitely blessed to witness this wonderful explosion of nature best colors.
Boreas Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 11,481ft above sea level, running through the Colorado Rocky Mountains at the crest of the Front Range. The road over the pass, formerly known as Breckenridge Pass, is now named Boreas Pass Road. This route was used by prospectors during the gold rush that were crossing from South Park in search of gold in the Blue valley around Breckenridge. At the summit is a mountain hut known as Ken's Cabin, built in the 1860's.
Sylvan means "a peaceful, wooded place" and this scene exemplifies that phrase. Teig and I spent a weekend exploring this area west of Vail Colorado and was pleasantly surprised at it's quaint beauty. Steep valleys and high peaks with aspen groves, lodgepole pine and Douglas fir forests on moist slopes with Ponderosa pines and junipers found on drier slopes.
Autumn in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado is a wonderful experience. All the deciduous trees explode with red, orange and yellow colors and then drop their leaves to the ground below. If you are around during the right time the floor of the forest and the canopy will be covered in “Autumn Glory”. This was the case on this 4x4 road in the southern San Juans near the New Mexico border.
The section house is located at the summit of Boreas Pass and in the late 1800s and early 1900s served as the main building for the Denver, South Pacific, and Pacific Railroad when it made its way over the pass. This area was the site of the highest narrow guage railroad in the United States. During the period between 1870 and 1920, a town of 150 people existed at Boreas Pass helping to maintain the railroad and the trains that passed by. The pass was formerly known as Breckenridge Pass in the 1860s.
On a beautiful morning shooting at Maroon Bells outside of Aspen Colorado, I caught the moon setting in a notch of Rockies. I had hiked up to Crater Lake just as the moon was setting in the west Maroon Bells peak. Pretty good timing!
The beautiful Indian Peaks through the forest canopy outside of Fraser Colorado.
There are a plethora of very cool Alpine Buttercups in the meadows of the high alpine Rockies of Colorado. Their yellow petals liven up the slopes of the mountains in the Vasquez Peak Wilderness. How can any person not smile while walking through a meadow buttercup flowers?f
Hiking down from West Spanish Peak in the San Isabel National Forest, I found a clear spot through the forest to the Cuchara Valley below. We had just came out of a large thunder storm and I could see one down in the valley below. This section of the Southern Colorado Rockies is very lush and green. The hiking here is fantastic.
Who needs a store bought container for your Colorado Alpine Buttercups? On the trail to Stanley Mountain I found this fantastic container of the flowers which nature provided. You just have to hike 4 miles to view them.
We enjoyed exploring the ridges above Winter Park and Berthoud Pass. The snow hangs around the Rocky Mountains of Colorado above 13,000 feet in July. Snow fields contrast the granite face of the Rockies and can help create an interesting landscape photograph.
A beautifu hike up to Ptarmigan Lake afforded us this awesome view. This pond was near the lake and Teig was checking out the little grass island. Exploring the Sawatch Range in the Colorado Rockies is so much fun especially when there is still snow on the ground and very few hikers.
Traildog looking across the valley to Mount Guyot in the Front Range of Colorado. The Colorado Rockies is fun in the summer with so many trails and beautiful peaks.
A moose was feeding at Maroon Lake Below Maroon Bells outside of Aspen Colorado.
This was the other photographer on Mount Evans that evening trying to capture the fantastic light after sunset. It was fun being the only 2 souls on the summit just as dark was descending over this Colorado fourteener.
Bluebells can be found in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I especially love them when they are found above 12,000 feet in the alpine zone. These bluebells were along the Continental Divide Trail near James Peak in the Front Range.The deep blue colors stand out in the grass along the trail.
These awesome crags sit in front of Castle Rock outside of Buena Vista Colorado. You can see these formation as you venture down Highway 285 from South Park into the Arkansas Valley. I have always loved them and decided to get a cool aerial shot with sunset light on their western faces.
A view of the alpine ridges above Arapaho Basin Ski Area as sun was setting in the west. These Colorado alpine summits are still beautiful even when there is no snow on them in late summer.
The 4x4 road up to North Cone Peak near Kenosha Pass during the Autumn color run in Colorado.
Driving up to Winfield Colorado to do some camping and hike a 14er we came upon a rainbow showing through the forest. The day was cool and wet but the rainbow was so beautiful that we had to get out of the truck and take a photograph. The majestic Collegiate Peaks rise above the dirt road. We were on way to hike Huron Peak, the 5th highest peak in Colorado, from the historic mining settlement of Winfield.
Sun was setting in the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness in Colorado when I took this photo of one of my favorite flowers… Indian Paintbrush.
The warm sensation one feels when they approach a coloraful stand of Colorado autumn aspens.
We were exploring Piney River Road north of Vail and it was getting near sunset. The clouds broke through the heavy clouds and cast beautiful light on the mountains in the distance. These special scenes make it all worth exploring the backcountry of Colorado.
Exploring the aspen forest in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Sauntering off the trail into the Aspens can soothe your soul. The forest absorbs sounds and the silence that is found there helps to block out civilization and all the stress abundant there. Just get off the trail and refill your soul!
Hiking the Continental Divide Trail at Mount Flora above Berthoud Pass we came across this green basin below. The Rocky Mountains are awesome here in the Front Range of Colorado and if you choose the right day there will not be a lot of hikers on the trail. This day was a short up to Mount Flora and beyond and back in Denver by 3:00 in the afternoon.
Beautiful light nearing sunset on Cottonwood Lake in the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rockies. The lake was serene and this trout fisherman was floating by in his kayak seemingly enjoying the evening whether he caught a trout or not.
There are many unique details that you can find while exploring in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. I was intrigued by this long dead tree near the tree-line that had a very cool texture with the white capped Rocky Mountain peaks in the background. We are so very blessed to be able to get up to these remote places to experience this.
A 240 degree panorama of Berthoud Pass from June 2019. The photo is looking directly into the snow-covered peaks in the Vasquez Wilderness of Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
We passed through a wonderful meadow of beautiful alpine sunflowers on our saunter up Glacier Peak in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. Such vibrant yellows cheers the soul of any hiker!
Above Breckenridge Colorado sits a beautiful mountain pass that is joy to hike to… French Pass. This pass sites between the mammoth peaks of Guyot and Bald Mountain. In July there is still snowfields at the pass which are cool playground for dogs and hikers. We are looking towards the french creek creek and the valley to the east of the pass.
One of my favorite flowers found in Colorado's high country, this red specimen is eye catching next to the Silver Dollar Lake Trail. Also known as Castilleja, Indian paintbrush wildflowers grow in forest clearings and grasslands.The Paintbrush evoked the Native American legend of a young brave who tried to paint the sunset with his warpaints. Frustrated that he could not match the brilliance of nature, he ask for guidance from the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit gave him paintbrushes laden with the colors he so desired. With these, he painted his masterpiece and left the spent brushes in fields across the landscape. These brushes sprouted the flowers. How can you not love this beautiful flower?
Just can't get enough of those lovely Colorado Bluebells in the Rocky Mountain high country.
The variety of alpine flowers in the Front Range mountains of Colorado is amazing. These Ambrosia Verbena Flowers were just of the Rogers Pass Trail outside of Winter Park and made the hike to James Peak so colorful.
Teig and I love to hike the Colorado Rockies when the alpine meadows are in full bloom. I found a field full of beautiful blue Lewis Flax while hiking the Continental Divide above Cottonwood Pass. Teig and I layed in this meadow of blue and watched the clouds pass overhead... just priceless!
A hike up Hunter Creek from Aspen Colorado affords the adventure with numerous small waterfalls to check out near the trail. This small waterfall wasn't far up the trail to the canyon and was quiet and serene in the early morning before the hikers get on the trail. I find these locations and times fulfilling for the soul.
An aerial view of the Colorado River flowing west out of Gore Canyon towards Radium Colorado with the sunset looming over the Rocky Mountains.
An afternoon hike up to South Peak from Weston Pass avails a person of these wonderful views. Twin lakes and Leadville can be seen in the Arkansas Valley below and the Sawatch Range towers above them to the west. Alpine hikes above treeline are my favorite because it affords me these types of views.
Springtime in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and Front Range viewed from the Tarryall Mountains in Pike National Forest.
Teig checking out the snow and James Peak Lake from a ridge in Colorado's James Peak Wilderness. We hiked Kingston Peak on this day and enjoyed the early summer conditions with the snow covering much of the alpine terrain.
A view looking north into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness from the Continental Divide Trail at Cottonwood Pass. What a cool view from 10,500 feet into the beautiful mountains of the Sawatch Range of Colorado.
Tieg is resting at the top of La Plata Peak. La Plata Peak (14,336 ft.) is the fifth-highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the state of Colorado. La Plata means "silver" in Spanish. This fourteener is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest. It took us a good 5 hours to reach the summit from the less traveled southern route. It was well worth it with these gorgeous views!