The strong red sandstone formations in the Valley of Fire State Park in Southern Nevada. The Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, believed to be the remains of a huge 150,000 square mile desert which existed in this region from about 192 to 178 million years ago.
Traildog above Colorado River
Teig in the snow above the Colorado River valley near Hot Sulfur Springs in northern Colorado. We were exploring the Williams Fork Creek nearby and decided to hike up one of the small mountains and get a view of the area. It was worth the work.
Mountain Range in the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area
A panoramic view of the desert mountains from the Woodbury Desert Study Area in southwestern Utah. The study area lies within both the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area and Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. The range is high in elevation above the Mojave desert below.
Front Range across Sloan’s Lake
A beautiful view of the Rocky mountains across Sloan’s Lake in Denver Colorado. Viewing the snow capped peaks is one my favorite views from this lake and park.
Rustic Cabin in Sylvan Valley
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.
Medicine Bow Peak from Summit Trail
Our view of Medicine Bow Peak on our way up the trail to the summit. Teig and I were enjoying the puffy white clouds and the beautiful bright granite face of the mountains in this wilderness of southern Wyoming.
Storm is Coming in the Medicine Bows
Teig and I were coming down from a saunter in the backcountry of the Medicine Bow National Forest in Southern Wyoming and stopped off at South Gap Lake for a snack. The ominous storm clouds which were brewing since lunch finally engulfed us. We tried to expedite our hike back to the trailhead but were unsuccessful and the rain and hail pelted us the last mile and a half. Even though we were soaked, it was a fantastic adventure well worth the effort.
Lake Marie
Lake Marie sits at the base of Medicine Bow peak in southern Wyoming. Sun was setting on the southern edge of the peak and the winds were kicking up advancing the waves on this beautiful lake. The contrast of the warm sun and the chilly shade was welcomed after a hike to the summit of the peak.
Pastels Across Colorado Backcountry Road
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.
Traildog at Lost Park
Autumn colors abound in late September in the high country of Colorado. Teig loves hikes under the canopy of gold colored aspens. He even looks stately in grass field between those aspens.
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.
Quality Time on Medicine Bow Peak
What better quality time than relaxing on the summit of Medicine Bow Peak in the Snowy Range of Wyoming? I bet this couple has a very strong relationship since they worked together to reach the highest point in the Snowy Range!
Morning Sunrise on Snowy Range Lake
Teig and I watched the sunrise from South Twin Lake in the Snowy Range of Southern Wyoming. Life is so good when I can watch the beauty in nature with this guy. I relish these moments!
Snowy Range Pass in Late Summer
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (pass) is the second highest mountain pass in Wyoming. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Wyoming Highway 130) is located in southeast Wyoming and was originally a wagon road built in the 1870s. The road was paved in the 1930s and designated as the nation’s second Scenic Byway in 1988. After six years of working on the road, it was completed and known as the “Great Skyroad.” The Scenic Byway over the Snowy Range is one of the shortest of Wyoming’s scenic byways, both in length and in the number of months it can be driven.
Indian Peaks from Fraser Experimental Forest
The beautiful Indian Peaks through the forest canopy outside of Fraser Colorado.
Scouting Wild Trout at Ptarmigan Lake
First thing Teig does when we get to the end of the hike to Ptarmigan Lake in the Sawatch Range of Colorado is get knee deep in the chilly lake and search for trout. I fly-fish periodically and he knows that if he searches for rising fish might mean a trout dinner at the end of the day. Unfortunately on this day, fishing was not on the agenda… but he does not care and will scout for those trout anyway.
Tiny Island in Ptarmigan Pond
A beautiful 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.