Colorado Captures

This past summer, I was really interested to find some of the best high mountain alpenglow reflections on the front range. So over the span of serveral weeks with a headlamp, showshoes, and a pack loaded with gear, I timed my treks to some of the prettiest spots in the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park to be just in time for sunrise. In the end, between the beautiful reflections, the glowing peaks, and the blooming wildflowers, I was very happy with the results. And without a doubt, my favorite of all those early morning treks was my hike to Lake Dorothy (the highest named lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness).

Blind Date With Dorothy
This image was taken from a downstream extension of Lake Dorothy (elevation 12,100 feet). Using GND filters, I was able to capture first light on Mount Neva in the Indian Peaks Wilderness west of Nederland, Colorado.

Ready for a new place to hike, I decided to give an unexplored part of the Indian Peaks Wilderness a try. Arapaho Pass has long been a temptation of mine as it crosses over the Continental Divide via a hiking trail. I’ve crossed lots of high-mountain passes in a vehicle, but I couldn’t think of any I’d crossed on foot – until now. Besides, Lake Dorothy (the highest named lake in the Indian Peaks) sits perched right next to the divide at 12,100 feet – making it even more tempting.

So early Saturday morning (2:30 am), I started hiking from the Fourth Of July trailhead past the Fourth Of July Mine and on up the gulch under the cover of darkness. At about 11,000 feet, I passed timberline where the flowers seemed to get smaller and a breeze prompted me to whip out a jacket. Near the top of Arapaho Pass, I turned west onto Caribou Pass toward Lake Dorothy as the stars began to fade and sunrise grew closer.

In a way, the experience reminded me of a blind date in that I wasn’t able to see Dorothy for myself before having fully committed. Heck, I hiked in the dark so I could get my first look at her beauty under the first light with my own eyes. Now, if that’s not commitment… Looking back, I’m sure glad I went for it, ’cause Dorothy put on her best dress for the occasion!

Helene’s Mirror
I hiked back up to Lake Helene for sunrise found a really pretty scene with lots more snow than I saw last September. One factor that worked in my favor was the breeze that welcomed me to Lake Helene all but disappeared at sunrise giving me a reflection that mirrored the snowy mountainous scene above. I really liked how the shadows from the tree tops seemed to reach up the snowy wall on the other side of the lake right up into the warm alpenglow.

Like others had reported, there was still lots of snow (and a high lake level) which made navigation and good foregrounds a challenge. Of course, the big elk had an easy time walking around in the shallow water along the shoreline. I didn’t bring my telephoto lens for the hike up so I can only show him as a little elk speck on the other side. Oh well, it was an incredibly peaceful little trek with calm winds and just me, Helene, and a big elk to enjoy it!

This image was taken with GND filters at sunrise from Lake Helene after a dark (3 mile) hike up from the Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park, Colorado.

Alpine Reflection
I couldn’t resist capturing this view north before leaving Lake Helene – what with the gorgeous glassy reflection and mountainous backcountry terrain. Little Matterhorn appears even better than I’d hoped, so I’m really glad I caught it before heading out.

This image was taken with GND filters just after sunrise from Lake Helene – after a hike up from the Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. On the post-processing side, I used Silver Efex Pro to help bring out all the b/w tones. Sure, the original had plenty of color… but this approach caught my eye like nobody’s business!