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?
Teig Among the Yellow Alpine Flowers
Teig figuring out the way to Rosalie Peak in the Mount Evans Wilderness. He not only a tracker of squirrels but also a pretty good trailblazer. He can follow almost any trail and still look cool in an alpine meadow of yellow flowers. We love hiking above treeline in the Front Range Rockies of Colorado.
Looking Over the Front Range from Chief Mountain
What do you do when you have summited Chief Mountain above Squaw Pass in Colorado? You look out and over the surrounding Front Range hills and valleys and take in the rugged beauty of Colorado.
Spring Evening at Buffalo Point
An evening saunter up to Buffalo Point on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake will reward the individual with fantastic views. On this spring evening a witnessed the sun setting over the lake in the west and the rocks and mountains across White Rock Bay were blanketed in beautiful light. This point is a “must visit” for the photographer at sunset.
Shake It Off on South Peak
Spending time exploring South Peak above Twin Lakes in central Colorado. We found small ponds left from snow melt, not uncommon for alpine elevations above 12,000 feet. Teig enjoyed a quick dip before continuing with our hike on these beautiful ridges.
Glimpse of Cuchara Valley
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 thunderstorm 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.
Glimpse of Cuchara Valley
Sunset At Cordova Pass
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.
Sunset At Cordova Pass
Standing Tall in Kenosha Mountains
We were exploring the Kenosha Mountains north of the Colorado Trail. A bushwhack up from the trail gets us above the tree line and enjoying the alpine conditions of Colorado. The wind was kicking on this day but it felt comfortable with the day being in the upper 60’s. We love being up here.
Standing Tall in Kenosha Mountains
A Front Range Goodnight
A beautiful day coming to an end in the James Peak Wilderness in the Front Range mountains of Colorado.
A Front Range Goodnight
Traildog at Kinston Peak Snow Field
A day of hiking to Kingston Peak, Teig and I stopped over at the snow field below the summit to play a bit. He loves the snow and there was abundant amounts on this summer day in the Front Range mountains of Colorado.
Traildog at Kinston Peak Snow Field
Traildog in Mountain Fog
Teig and I were exploring the tree line below Kingston Peak in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. The low clouds were moving up the slope to us and soon engulfed the ridge in it’s cool mist. The experience was calm and pleasant. I do love changes in weather when you are hiking in the mountains.
Traildog in Mountain Fog
Colorado Subalpine Yellow Sulfur Paintbrush
A beautiful yellow flower that grows in subalpine Colorado. These particular flowers were found in Mammoth Valley in the James Peak Wilderness of the Front Range near Golden. The mountain blooms this year were spectacular.
Colorado Subalpine Yellow Sulfur Paintbrush
Dancing on Rosalie Peak
Even photographers and their dogs have fun!
Light Streak in Capitol Reef
An early morning exploration of Capitol Reef National Park in Central Utah. Scenic drive road sits up against the WaterPocket Fold and is beautiful as the sun’s light begins to light the park. A lone car heading towards the village of Fruita sped by as I photographed the sandstone faces. It’s a wonderful time to be in the park with no crowds to displace the serenity of this majestic location
Light Streak in Capitol Reef
Traildog on Chief Mountain
Traildog Teig on the Summit of Chief Mountain outside of Idaho Springs, Colorado. It was stormy morning with snow flurries on the way up to the peak at 11,709 feet above sea level. Snow drifts crossed most of the trail but the June morning was comfortable enough to wear a short sleeved shirt most of the way. The high peaks of Mount Evans area of the Rocky Mountains can be seen in the background.
Traildog on Chief Mountain
Lone Bison Grazing before Devils Tower
Devil’s Tower is a symbolic American western icon. It’s cut rock faces have lived in rock climbers dreams as well as native american folklore. This National Monument should be considered on any traveler’s list if they intend to explore the American Mountain West. It sits in Northwest Wyoming and a hiker could spend an entire day hiking around the base and nearby area. Catching the grazing bison in the early morning excited me and I really dig this photograph.
Lone Bison Grazing before Devils Tower
End of the Season
Traveling the backroads in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado can deliver up some surprises. We were coming back to Denver from summiting four 14ers in the Mosquito Range and I cam across this old truck near a cabin in the mountains. It just hit me as a quintessential Colorado scene. I stopped and composed this photograph. Not sure what the make or year of the truck is but it had been well used. I love how the chrome still sparkled but it was rusted all over. Just gives a person a feeling of vintage respect.
End of the Season
Aspen Shedding Leaves
Autumn brings a beautiful change to the aspen groves in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Exploring these woods near Kenosha Pass are always a treat. Textures abound with wonderful color. The transformation from the warm summer to the bitter cold of winter is a cherished journey for all Colorado landscape photographers.
Aspen Shedding Leaves
Alpine Avens, Aspen Daisies and Traildog
Adventuring the Rockies of central Colorado, Teig and I came across a beautiful alpine meadow and we had to stop and ponder the far off Mount Guyot and the valley below. This is our favorite place to be in the summer. Up above the trees you can see the peaks stretching off in the distance and the air is crisp and clean. The beauty fills the soul and the freedom to explore is fantastic.
Alpine Avens, Aspen Daisies and Traildog
Alpine Daisies on Glacier Peak
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.
Alpine Daisies on Glacier Peak