Teig resting in an alpine meadow on a saunter along the ridges above Cottonwood Pass in central Colorado. We like to take periodic breaks from hiking and just absorb the beauty of the high Rocky Mountains. It helps us keep centered and sane in our hectic crazy lives.
White Sandstone at Valley of Fire
Beautiful white sandstone distinctly contrasts with the red aztec sandstone at Valley of Fire in southern Nevada. The rich colors and textures make for a tasty treat for my eyes.
White Leading to Red
Beautiful white rock formations leading to Aztec Sandstone in the Valley of Fire. These formations were exposed where older rocks of Cambrian age (about 500 million years old) were pushed sideways on a thrust fault over younger rocks (Jurassic, about 160 million years old) of the Aztec Sandstone. The sandstone was originally laid down in a colossal, long-lived sandy desert much like today's Sahara. Before the area was a dry desert, it was an inland sea. The red color is from the presence of iron oxides in the sand.
The Dinosaurs Back
The beautiful red and white sandstone mixture in Valley of Fire Park in Nevada is awesome to witness in the golden hour. So many rock formations that wow the visitors. A desert landscape photographer's dream.
Bald Mountain at Boreas Pass
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.
Black Powder Pass Colorado
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.
Alpine Sunset Hike on Loveland Pass
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.
Alpine Ridges above A-Basin
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.
Resting in a Continental Divide Alpine Meadow
How about resting in an alpine meadow off the Continental Divide in the Colorado Rockies? Well Teig was doing just that on a hike to Skyscrapper Peak. This does relax the soul.