tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127762144060888332024-03-05T16:34:38.897-07:00Colorado Wilderness - Hiking and Camping in the BackcountryA photographic diary of my exploration of the trails in Colorado's wilderness and backcountry areas. If you're planning to camp or hike in Colorado, here are some great trails for you to explore and photograph. I've also got some pages with tips for a more comfortable backpacking trip.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-19251168878603548592018-09-24T16:42:00.001-06:002018-09-24T16:54:54.563-06:00The Crested Butte to Aspen TraverseOne popular hike (I hate popular hikes, and prefer to seek solitude in the backcountry, but my buddy loves things that are popular) is the traverse between Crested Butte and Aspen (or vice versa). It actually goes from Schofield Pass to Maroon Lake, and much of it is part of the popular (there's that word again) Four Pass Loop.<br />
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The scenery and views are one major reason this hike is favored by so many.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq_LuZcQpJkJ7bH8opEd5-MpZwpy8CZQdSjHcWoJWYoBllrX4bN6oHzEueReFOraZ5nmMX8PaM65Gwr8wZeao-A3AIrFnPcB9XUtlAlTVyvQn7Q7NOXdaR5D8b4HC7TmJtJMunVbPCoOk/s1600/b176-178+hdr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="crested butte, aspen, traverse, maroon pass, maroon bells" border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq_LuZcQpJkJ7bH8opEd5-MpZwpy8CZQdSjHcWoJWYoBllrX4bN6oHzEueReFOraZ5nmMX8PaM65Gwr8wZeao-A3AIrFnPcB9XUtlAlTVyvQn7Q7NOXdaR5D8b4HC7TmJtJMunVbPCoOk/s640/b176-178+hdr+1.jpg" title="west maroon pass" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northwest from West Maroon Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2juTDQbRdLqVv_PcZoirSfQsAnXMB0mhbES6KG77MEtLdquTDbfQRw_995_DYp8DX4imE30LFgN5yReAuO_R3o1pUDTipOywJMFLSx2CKrQYjhw52LJVQvFBhM0uQXMYDQniCeEfp2pI/s1600/b194-196+hdr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="maroon, pass, maroon bells, aspen, crested butte" border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2juTDQbRdLqVv_PcZoirSfQsAnXMB0mhbES6KG77MEtLdquTDbfQRw_995_DYp8DX4imE30LFgN5yReAuO_R3o1pUDTipOywJMFLSx2CKrQYjhw52LJVQvFBhM0uQXMYDQniCeEfp2pI/s640/b194-196+hdr+1.jpg" title="west maroon pass" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east from West Maroon Pass</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-73494344644501537102018-09-10T13:47:00.003-06:002018-09-24T16:55:50.890-06:00Scarp RidgeThough I moved from Colorado a couple of years ago, I return there every summer to visit friends and explore the wilderness. Last month I did some hikes in the Crested Butte area that were all new to me, even though I lived not from from there (with only the Raggeds Wilderness separating us).<br />
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On my first day back, my buddy chose as an acclimation hike the trail from Lake Irwin to Scarp Ridge and a "peak" (it shows up on few maps, so maybe it's more of a point than a peak) called Oh Be Joyful at 12,400 feet above sea level.<br />
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From this point, hikers are rewarded with 360-degree views, which were partially marred by smoke from the west's many wildfires when we were there. Still, I got some photos worth sharing:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgqYj-z__0TRF61H31ewJzpOk4NSBKsb4s8Xvn3gNsFaIfpbdOi-MppbW36hIHmml88bmdtZJgxqftSSkGdY77kw4tfXl9iRjsN0W1twLQS7P74xonS6Iq5Qkuyw78TpF7XMx134Xdbkt/s1600/b042_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="scarp ridge, crested butte, colorado, hiking, wilderness, panorama" border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgqYj-z__0TRF61H31ewJzpOk4NSBKsb4s8Xvn3gNsFaIfpbdOi-MppbW36hIHmml88bmdtZJgxqftSSkGdY77kw4tfXl9iRjsN0W1twLQS7P74xonS6Iq5Qkuyw78TpF7XMx134Xdbkt/s640/b042_stitch.jpg" title="scarp ridge" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking east from Scarp Ridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BV6R4YHdWUTB9FseWIMpyhrNy9LKxV8WP35B-_iZF3r_kVeevXkeyQY6mRMh0Ll2PxPtZrREdGfTfINknjvyZz08vcNNDdNO6xLwHHvSr252FkVSqIwkJN6_Xx2fCb7194fPmKmljdd/s1600/b070_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="hiking, colorado, crested butte, wilderness, oh be joyful" border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BV6R4YHdWUTB9FseWIMpyhrNy9LKxV8WP35B-_iZF3r_kVeevXkeyQY6mRMh0Ll2PxPtZrREdGfTfINknjvyZz08vcNNDdNO6xLwHHvSr252FkVSqIwkJN6_Xx2fCb7194fPmKmljdd/s640/b070_stitch.jpg" title="oh be joyful" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking north from Oh Be Joyful</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-29794957541365624282016-03-11T19:14:00.002-07:002018-09-24T16:56:32.594-06:00winter river valley snowshoeingI'm sorry for not having posted in a long while. It's not because I've avoided the outdoors, nor did I leave my camera at home, but forgot I should be sharing photos and stories with you.<br />
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Most weekends from November through January, when I wasn't shoveling I was snowshoeing. I kept the trail packed up until the big snowfall that so far has been the last big snowfall.<br />
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-7236977433785472382015-11-26T12:33:00.003-07:002018-09-24T16:57:03.371-06:00winter expands the wilderness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODbyYLyq7Zx9kFEd1sycXS1taaGxFjvCZAOXtBUHus9Q-wPVlSdzTqbCsNKJZqmFDUX4L8BXbLQt0LjHHlKzNJ2twdmOeTZ6sjF1FEq91Ck_L7cT9pq0qbhjOayF5PwEs5bSONR7hOX-S/s1600/b019-020+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, pond, winter" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODbyYLyq7Zx9kFEd1sycXS1taaGxFjvCZAOXtBUHus9Q-wPVlSdzTqbCsNKJZqmFDUX4L8BXbLQt0LjHHlKzNJ2twdmOeTZ6sjF1FEq91Ck_L7cT9pq0qbhjOayF5PwEs5bSONR7hOX-S/s640/b019-020+hdr.jpg" title="frozen mountain pond" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKee Pond and the Raggeds</td></tr>
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Though the official boundaries remain unchanged, the practical boundaries of the wilderness areas expand in the winter, as the areas accessible by vehicle contract. Even venturing out by foot -- snowshoeing is one of my favorite winter activities -- you don't have to go far to feel like you're far out there, and you don't have to go far to get in trouble, either.<br />
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-46159077704473035002015-10-03T08:47:00.000-06:002015-10-03T08:47:14.616-06:00an explosion of autumn mountain colorHeavy spring rains created a fungus that caused many aspens to drop their leaves early this year, but there were enough of those that didn't to create some spectacular landscapes. These were taken not in the wilderness (which is filled with hunters now), but in the Crystal River valley, between Redstone and Marble, Colorado.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUITnC4lLd6A3BOJF_-zG612Kwl1dM6ruPn1Hl3TgkztnAGakgVKbD7B-yN0fdQSCmf5doLzDLIBg56kMIuGj-tQSXPGVkRo_qKIdpQJn4psUVyFWhqvsW0U6nQEBUJFK1DrQXRUa8cCNZ/s1600/b023-025+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="autumn, colors, colorado, mountains" border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUITnC4lLd6A3BOJF_-zG612Kwl1dM6ruPn1Hl3TgkztnAGakgVKbD7B-yN0fdQSCmf5doLzDLIBg56kMIuGj-tQSXPGVkRo_qKIdpQJn4psUVyFWhqvsW0U6nQEBUJFK1DrQXRUa8cCNZ/s400/b023-025+hdr.jpg" title="autumn colors in the colorado mountains" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKee Pond, near Marble</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbqGsYKJejcCEPHTJ_m8kBavaOsv7tAn1fsktIQOtCuznGAuwyXrlY3vwMloFm8aMjgAxi0Xcp2MBmjiZMDQNorkGqKL28ct8G6wdNeHcolAlDCJwwHhcEK3SYZA8ebf3CSoSxcHXx2Bn/s1600/b069_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbqGsYKJejcCEPHTJ_m8kBavaOsv7tAn1fsktIQOtCuznGAuwyXrlY3vwMloFm8aMjgAxi0Xcp2MBmjiZMDQNorkGqKL28ct8G6wdNeHcolAlDCJwwHhcEK3SYZA8ebf3CSoSxcHXx2Bn/s400/b069_stitch.jpg" title="autumn colors in the colorado mountains" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click on this pond panorama to see it better</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-63103910243505704052015-07-12T16:22:00.002-06:002018-09-24T16:57:58.475-06:00Huntsmans RidgeWhat was my go-to hike last summer has not seen my feet until today. The rain we've enjoyed encouraged many wildflowers and mushrooms, along with some biting flies (a rarity out here).<br />
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I took the ridge out to the overlook to capture some panoramas and HDRs. You'll want to click on the panos to see them best.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">click on image to see large</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN2JAJQjb_tL9k9wLnQ9P-EERlCewz4VzblIX0UvqPnfNb7v5G0Uk1IFsxlrfEe4tjsNPIkWMJpfmvPBMtrM5avOqSBfe1lAuZIkFFtkTPErwk_Cx92OKM2z9RqeFKP0KsbBIU3PIL_aE/s1600/b024-026+hdr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountains, hiking" border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN2JAJQjb_tL9k9wLnQ9P-EERlCewz4VzblIX0UvqPnfNb7v5G0Uk1IFsxlrfEe4tjsNPIkWMJpfmvPBMtrM5avOqSBfe1lAuZIkFFtkTPErwk_Cx92OKM2z9RqeFKP0KsbBIU3PIL_aE/s400/b024-026+hdr+1.jpg" title="crystal river valley" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click on image to see large</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJAdQrrw6EQyxzBJLiNhvCW8IMaPWPPWVmEjqbuKkmoQbXj_V8X8bLaUsYN5OX9a7vHKNzm_UEEw8QLWd_HY77UGUiVjw0S0D7yWxdS6wNa5nM4LIX2kY-7cE6NmW7Oi_H20BF4HCr77k/s1600/b045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, hiking" border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJAdQrrw6EQyxzBJLiNhvCW8IMaPWPPWVmEjqbuKkmoQbXj_V8X8bLaUsYN5OX9a7vHKNzm_UEEw8QLWd_HY77UGUiVjw0S0D7yWxdS6wNa5nM4LIX2kY-7cE6NmW7Oi_H20BF4HCr77k/s400/b045.jpg" title="mushroom" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-38904290557576702292015-07-11T18:54:00.000-06:002018-09-24T16:58:34.421-06:00Yule CreekNo matter how many photos I share of this place, it never gets spoiled. Even last week, when there were a half dozen cars at the trailhead, we saw only one person on the trail (the trailhead serves two trails, and many take the less scenic one, for reasons that elude me).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yNSrZEGFYqHqZXGGYmSV41iKsclqYYT4taeD2LH5CIBOM07HK_FRwo7-r4xKFQzSYxiI9lN_0au5EsGHftBRZ_0H9UqRn16Mo9iAMppnBc0Ba4_Yr-IEPngSMvPur0McXxIrZsN-Lw3z/s1600/b084_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yNSrZEGFYqHqZXGGYmSV41iKsclqYYT4taeD2LH5CIBOM07HK_FRwo7-r4xKFQzSYxiI9lN_0au5EsGHftBRZ_0H9UqRn16Mo9iAMppnBc0Ba4_Yr-IEPngSMvPur0McXxIrZsN-Lw3z/s320/b084_stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a big ass panorama that you have to click to appreciate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8MjGwb5IHqVJtog6NDdTwDIrEik8j1RduY1EnpIqnx0zTHakeix-4xGnfLU4zw_5GClhGzhhB48vQdUNfUA7LtsGnSB5YCg5U_Ikilg1a0ciQvxEfnIPCv4uYZoGYhMeJ90QpzexpSeJ/s1600/b109-111+hdr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, wilderness, raggeds, marble" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8MjGwb5IHqVJtog6NDdTwDIrEik8j1RduY1EnpIqnx0zTHakeix-4xGnfLU4zw_5GClhGzhhB48vQdUNfUA7LtsGnSB5YCg5U_Ikilg1a0ciQvxEfnIPCv4uYZoGYhMeJ90QpzexpSeJ/s400/b109-111+hdr+1.jpg" title="yule cree" width="280" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTjDqpIrsUrHv1MlxiJHPbB4dCmS3tbwxMa_meNM_Y7XnOxafkEraE6RaTYX655pYhqRyx7Jt3TUj3P4IOJOQoge16NWCDL6LaL4-D46korqz7kaI2AE0J0dhYzfoOELge0ZEXG6mCkvi/s1600/bw052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTjDqpIrsUrHv1MlxiJHPbB4dCmS3tbwxMa_meNM_Y7XnOxafkEraE6RaTYX655pYhqRyx7Jt3TUj3P4IOJOQoge16NWCDL6LaL4-D46korqz7kaI2AE0J0dhYzfoOELge0ZEXG6mCkvi/s400/bw052.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old steam engine on the trail</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-6671860876761318622015-06-30T06:44:00.004-06:002018-09-24T16:59:18.543-06:00May rains mean amazing June flowers.....and deep lakes.<br />
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Our hike to Thomas Lakes was fantastic because of the wealth of wildflowers on the trail. Then we reached the eastern lake and found it holding more water than I had ever seen. Just a couple of years ago, it was about five feet lower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE1DE3a8F_crsfKmmtB5aUovM-w3RpaK_uqPv2nvxAqs3E41NfMcQylnaDKZqBe9032sjtiEyaxGLhdxO58s_ygiH32RaQ6GlZsKWb6LiBamsiRZK-lYBh8aA1kRbpzLy5WhAg4qv1pfp/s1600/b032_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, lake, hiking" border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE1DE3a8F_crsfKmmtB5aUovM-w3RpaK_uqPv2nvxAqs3E41NfMcQylnaDKZqBe9032sjtiEyaxGLhdxO58s_ygiH32RaQ6GlZsKWb6LiBamsiRZK-lYBh8aA1kRbpzLy5WhAg4qv1pfp/s400/b032_stitch.jpg" title="mt sopris, thomas lakes" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeI5aFjZ7d0ka9Agdg0AL_ms6x2bJY0W0E4cM8nfFlVKDcfYg6cshEy0TGJykhv-J88NFualDPkoYx65vjdomYH-5iqe-Gxi2l86KjxjJdj59IOp83d0OR5Gdocn88x0jRACLWxbflRqMF/s1600/b080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, wilderness, wildflowers" border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeI5aFjZ7d0ka9Agdg0AL_ms6x2bJY0W0E4cM8nfFlVKDcfYg6cshEy0TGJykhv-J88NFualDPkoYx65vjdomYH-5iqe-Gxi2l86KjxjJdj59IOp83d0OR5Gdocn88x0jRACLWxbflRqMF/s400/b080.jpg" title="all white columbines" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was the first time I remember seeing all-white columbines.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-6002458618380641392015-06-16T06:09:00.000-06:002015-06-16T06:09:16.480-06:00High Water in the High CountryThe heavy precipitation in May recharged the snowpack and has the streams, creeks, and rivers running very high. <br />
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This past weekend's trip up Avalanche Creek -- normally just an early season hike, but one we opted to do after encountering much snow on an attempt to reach Savage Lakes -- showed us just how much water was rushing downhill now. Both Hell Roaring and Avalanche Creeks were flowing at rates I've never seen before.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanmJX9dY30cis__L6UUgFIi5kMQ3HnVF77qi9D-srvHdfwyC5MA7sM8IDQLhCaFxet5Ju46bnZvDzCo_qzYID8w1NSmyimOImRJWmzVJxuXOS3Qxq13O4o_XSIfrfjPMTY2pB8VblZ2uB/s1600/b262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="colorado wilderness creek hiking" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanmJX9dY30cis__L6UUgFIi5kMQ3HnVF77qi9D-srvHdfwyC5MA7sM8IDQLhCaFxet5Ju46bnZvDzCo_qzYID8w1NSmyimOImRJWmzVJxuXOS3Qxq13O4o_XSIfrfjPMTY2pB8VblZ2uB/s400/b262.jpg" title="hell roaring creek" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell Roaring Creek</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVejgU8F9s5zz4thPiuUqn4ArNpmPDlq4_OVkjkoHsmsNyHabKD-LBizOy2lQkFPFqlRJ3kBHLvh0d0QL30RQkUYH8lHqGtEqEOZh7wezbrMYAE5E7-2rCP_4HjfXZ0p9Jge7ycQRALVL/s1600/b273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado backcountry wilderness hiking creeks" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVejgU8F9s5zz4thPiuUqn4ArNpmPDlq4_OVkjkoHsmsNyHabKD-LBizOy2lQkFPFqlRJ3kBHLvh0d0QL30RQkUYH8lHqGtEqEOZh7wezbrMYAE5E7-2rCP_4HjfXZ0p9Jge7ycQRALVL/s400/b273.jpg" title="Avalanche Creek" width="272" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbBcdO16x5gYQqX9wwpQz9QrIh4dOiIrIDEhAVJeVVQpa_RWQJkOR-5HBLS39GafWEA8NiYgpA-MyRR8KywlFUQkxudxQrJJEKX0CTwt3hIhoCObf4dbgcjPVb81OnzulBwi2hbBHwok1/s1600/b303-305+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="colorado creek wilderness " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbBcdO16x5gYQqX9wwpQz9QrIh4dOiIrIDEhAVJeVVQpa_RWQJkOR-5HBLS39GafWEA8NiYgpA-MyRR8KywlFUQkxudxQrJJEKX0CTwt3hIhoCObf4dbgcjPVb81OnzulBwi2hbBHwok1/s400/b303-305+hdr.jpg" title="avalanche creek" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avalanche Creek</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-44670719662065085922015-06-08T20:52:00.000-06:002015-06-09T06:31:01.456-06:00plenty of snow in the high countryThe middle elevations (5000-8000 feet) received a lot of rain in May. The higher elevations got a lot of snow. After a relatively dry winter, things changed completely, and now the snowpack is much greater than average.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVHpZ0yZ_aKu-UBaN3SUPNgCxU3sfdA7Pz77RESnvwHIJmYXia6wA7Axmnov4EH64DJ17N4bACOgjJBZtaFVcdm6ECtfS2jjUSwdHX_rEfu3YO7j4oT0w9AcjV2p2B9PSGtouG1X9sV-U/s1600/snowpack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado mountain snowpack" border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVHpZ0yZ_aKu-UBaN3SUPNgCxU3sfdA7Pz77RESnvwHIJmYXia6wA7Axmnov4EH64DJ17N4bACOgjJBZtaFVcdm6ECtfS2jjUSwdHX_rEfu3YO7j4oT0w9AcjV2p2B9PSGtouG1X9sV-U/s400/snowpack.png" title="snowpack" width="400" /></a></div>
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We took a hike up to Savage Lakes this past weekend. Well, we tried to, anyway. About three-quarters of the way up the trail, we were forced to turn back due to so much deep snow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-mHBpVJ92vYrM6Uvb-zl_Cs9w2ibJ2cbBGIEjTlwE0JjBt7PP9kpimpu-Eb3Z57Qc37JgSMlzw_xQ_AY12DxsY3hZa26knl6lV-YILcazpt3h8FguDmDv2UXwV_HiQCbyFfsuLRdLqOb/s1600/10557142_972996566067919_6943468830587663308_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="savage lakes, colorado, wilderness area" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-mHBpVJ92vYrM6Uvb-zl_Cs9w2ibJ2cbBGIEjTlwE0JjBt7PP9kpimpu-Eb3Z57Qc37JgSMlzw_xQ_AY12DxsY3hZa26knl6lV-YILcazpt3h8FguDmDv2UXwV_HiQCbyFfsuLRdLqOb/s640/10557142_972996566067919_6943468830587663308_o.jpg" title="savage lakes trail" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-35085161525615646082015-03-30T17:42:00.003-06:002015-03-30T17:44:15.841-06:00Colorado National MonumentI'll write more here later. Right now I just wanted to post this panorama for the link.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUfc46ajR6WutDuSlL53rf1cDKZJ2-8c-78YXlju-XUG729TQDAguiK5Iz5btWXTYNnlWH8-Qmx_Uhhb5I_oCz441iJJDr2zLFoggodXY0To7u_8liR5RZwVbG4x535SkTKsDk5J08wPN/s1600/b050_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, desert, canyon, panorama" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUfc46ajR6WutDuSlL53rf1cDKZJ2-8c-78YXlju-XUG729TQDAguiK5Iz5btWXTYNnlWH8-Qmx_Uhhb5I_oCz441iJJDr2zLFoggodXY0To7u_8liR5RZwVbG4x535SkTKsDk5J08wPN/s1600/b050_stitch.jpg" height="138" title="colorado national monument" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FFvaqGWbRreR1R0i7TUHFisHZCopGKBK4lJAqxBgxqfi1Nbv5rvAi_jaW5CtY8Az4Xk8uzXTzMCXSa243o__S7tpY34CnkQnts1_y0AO5EOtMOcAWuAc0lQZaCZ6fD1x-92_c2vlUgl6/s1600/b081_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FFvaqGWbRreR1R0i7TUHFisHZCopGKBK4lJAqxBgxqfi1Nbv5rvAi_jaW5CtY8Az4Xk8uzXTzMCXSa243o__S7tpY34CnkQnts1_y0AO5EOtMOcAWuAc0lQZaCZ6fD1x-92_c2vlUgl6/s1600/b081_stitch.jpg" height="128" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-61041299704292947052014-10-05T20:11:00.001-06:002014-10-05T20:11:45.274-06:00Autumn Mountain Splendormy, oh, my! a little fresh snow and peak colors combine to create an incredible landscape<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZACmPhvXP1c7TqFniAATMKO_ctbGFP7-pA8EVJJpluw_2-bJVbROlLBXHRYVVDZXOFY3XjTDJn1L2PnVgl1zjMfaJFgF7F02gACH0w8lvl3TdzjJJ3VumwGNQe8N-qR1njRO-7kFrMr5/s1600/b015-017+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, autumn, color" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZACmPhvXP1c7TqFniAATMKO_ctbGFP7-pA8EVJJpluw_2-bJVbROlLBXHRYVVDZXOFY3XjTDJn1L2PnVgl1zjMfaJFgF7F02gACH0w8lvl3TdzjJJ3VumwGNQe8N-qR1njRO-7kFrMr5/s1600/b015-017+hdr.jpg" height="260" title="autumn mountain splendor" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKee Pond, near Marble, Colorado</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubyums0yV2nVlU0XFxRZgOmJSpSpdR0r7CNihmDkYP3y62wYiWBKxFsTRq-JyfVxb_raj1l6Wj6BoWnzC6xZE817hrkGBT4i2YwFJeV-RTK2Pf9quh0INAbQZxYprjMM1UuhmqPko00Yk/s1600/b036-038+hdr+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, autumn, color" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubyums0yV2nVlU0XFxRZgOmJSpSpdR0r7CNihmDkYP3y62wYiWBKxFsTRq-JyfVxb_raj1l6Wj6BoWnzC6xZE817hrkGBT4i2YwFJeV-RTK2Pf9quh0INAbQZxYprjMM1UuhmqPko00Yk/s1600/b036-038+hdr+3.jpg" height="270" title="autumn mountain splendor" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McClure Pass</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilegQaPoWj_acWJYp1zHKvqMui3RyHGXUqaNPQrcugBR7VebFxPPjp79uwbIzBjUl_MUgqPvKY6FrWTOF1zBv-BNNw_Phl8ChiScO3pDbQJYV3348GJvvo1t1xt36nnKT7aF9DSOfD7XPc/s1600/b224-226+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, autumn, color" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilegQaPoWj_acWJYp1zHKvqMui3RyHGXUqaNPQrcugBR7VebFxPPjp79uwbIzBjUl_MUgqPvKY6FrWTOF1zBv-BNNw_Phl8ChiScO3pDbQJYV3348GJvvo1t1xt36nnKT7aF9DSOfD7XPc/s1600/b224-226+hdr.jpg" height="265" title="autumn mountains spendor" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placita, between Redstone and Marble</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-26460463608166058012014-09-21T08:07:00.001-06:002014-09-21T08:07:55.633-06:00autumn comes to ColoradoAutumn thrills the photographers, the hunters, and almost anyone with a pulse. Autumn in the mountains is even more amazing than autumn elsewhere, as the color rises up all around you and entire mountainsides are ablaze in fall colors.<br />
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On this trip to Lyle Lake, there were few of the aspens for which Colorado is famous, but plenty of vibrant color from the rest of the flora.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnhDdm4TTQ5qdvDI6j2HQO5HdjETJtWobbe2gIIuX3ew3WrOq8-bHnr3Ltg04O1b-FBEmAp-GE96X6gPtOIKHzP_5HZU-Sz1eTsdSpV8CQBnn4riPEYom_0wJDynuoSRVds5Rb8o-NyIz/s1600/b022-024+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado mountain stream" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnhDdm4TTQ5qdvDI6j2HQO5HdjETJtWobbe2gIIuX3ew3WrOq8-bHnr3Ltg04O1b-FBEmAp-GE96X6gPtOIKHzP_5HZU-Sz1eTsdSpV8CQBnn4riPEYom_0wJDynuoSRVds5Rb8o-NyIz/s1600/b022-024+hdr.jpg" height="640" title="lyle creek" width="420" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJstPFb4u_VPOEENgDBd4YixPsLI4_46rpmYBYWxUrGexLAOZtmI9uZ2t_sh1qpXRoRQYZSNjjUcN62X5hH4YIluLwuitJewkXJGqrSj32LDYSQtJ1_XdDiKthbiSVNOpxDG9gITG7Eqhm/s1600/b236-238+hdr+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, lake, autumn, holy cross, wilderness area" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJstPFb4u_VPOEENgDBd4YixPsLI4_46rpmYBYWxUrGexLAOZtmI9uZ2t_sh1qpXRoRQYZSNjjUcN62X5hH4YIluLwuitJewkXJGqrSj32LDYSQtJ1_XdDiKthbiSVNOpxDG9gITG7Eqhm/s1600/b236-238+hdr+3.jpg" height="640" title="Lyle Lake" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-58166538423862046702014-09-16T06:43:00.000-06:002014-09-16T06:43:32.856-06:00Early Septober ColorsOver the next few weeks, something magical happens in the Colorado mountains, and many thousands of people will flood into the area to witness it. The autumn color explosion is an amazing thing to view, and I've enjoyed having front row seats for over a dozen years. <br />
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It begins with the small plants, then spreads to the scrub oak, and reaches full peak when the large groves of aspen trees change their hue. Before moving out here, I thought that aspens simply went from green to yellow. While many do only that, many also turn orange and even red. The mountain sides are ablaze with color for a couple of weeks, and walking, biking, or driving through the area is an experience you must enjoy.<br />
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I took my tripod and camera out yesterday to capture some of the early color. The fading wildflowers completed the tableau:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2UjkeUP27rBfHgsmVO0wJLi9OsL2Au5KYzEoSzNZ-CGnHS8mIRUTmip0Jl2GryeFsL3RfDvFfjhJkTOHDotmE8NU9RX43knqGbKJyhcb2xOIoZzqJMDt_qAmDrnvPA1DejhARuJugx0e/s1600/b100-102+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, autumn, color" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2UjkeUP27rBfHgsmVO0wJLi9OsL2Au5KYzEoSzNZ-CGnHS8mIRUTmip0Jl2GryeFsL3RfDvFfjhJkTOHDotmE8NU9RX43knqGbKJyhcb2xOIoZzqJMDt_qAmDrnvPA1DejhARuJugx0e/s1600/b100-102+hdr.jpg" height="640" title="colorado autumn color" width="451" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEAgSJlKaQAVPvlhgst_8dgTi0vWrKkeQb4j3SW11JddXTfEiK2JnbXbIWrF1b678EQtGgWtFKt1tMoP-a0KtK-VgdN95Cms23N3hb0o-YG_MBW9di8Rw12Nq_Tl1q5tIOvwQi_TLMMip/s1600/b106-108+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, autumn, color" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEAgSJlKaQAVPvlhgst_8dgTi0vWrKkeQb4j3SW11JddXTfEiK2JnbXbIWrF1b678EQtGgWtFKt1tMoP-a0KtK-VgdN95Cms23N3hb0o-YG_MBW9di8Rw12Nq_Tl1q5tIOvwQi_TLMMip/s1600/b106-108+hdr.jpg" height="400" title="colorado autumn color" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-25883128216773581612014-09-07T04:50:00.002-06:002014-09-07T04:50:34.388-06:00Autumn is coming to Coloradoa hike on Friday revealed the start of autumn colors creeping into the landscape<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcENxKgC-qFwCu3WIJ8UF8oELyUM0U_-7vs0Z3dCJaDuLmkg9OeaUEChrvZ4_l4_FBvyCmAkNbT-poAObzlG9bRbxBU0keQqqODs896njgITJ7DOTNkcava8yNa-2mJ5CxuBjl1k04VUb/s1600/b014-016+hdr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, landscape" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcENxKgC-qFwCu3WIJ8UF8oELyUM0U_-7vs0Z3dCJaDuLmkg9OeaUEChrvZ4_l4_FBvyCmAkNbT-poAObzlG9bRbxBU0keQqqODs896njgITJ7DOTNkcava8yNa-2mJ5CxuBjl1k04VUb/s1600/b014-016+hdr+1.jpg" height="262" title="colorado mountain landscape" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM1lcIFjf7AjcDjgvkqkSgD6XjfCIxzVVvMB_0Fi5Fwt7jKrWSnROG-hBls1MDLf56FqkdWwvNRDJbKLShwcnxUJjnXwmsh0zfQz9XllKjvDrTghLhlZZQF2lHvw-wM5mjxtPBSUWRA9-/s1600/b023-025+hdr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, landscape" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM1lcIFjf7AjcDjgvkqkSgD6XjfCIxzVVvMB_0Fi5Fwt7jKrWSnROG-hBls1MDLf56FqkdWwvNRDJbKLShwcnxUJjnXwmsh0zfQz9XllKjvDrTghLhlZZQF2lHvw-wM5mjxtPBSUWRA9-/s1600/b023-025+hdr+1.jpg" height="262" title="colorado mountain landscape" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7406S3yBqlEX4jNbJ8PuRZFhAFwJYIyOxrQbhddRCEL7nAbF07UFjBLQyufaJMSLNLL9tl3TFxp3lLDsk50pwcDkB4h8foi_KTM0SrxHrDW2cPboocBGpMcwugnQ-xfH7sFELsoO4zpf8/s1600/b044-046+hdr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountain, landscape" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7406S3yBqlEX4jNbJ8PuRZFhAFwJYIyOxrQbhddRCEL7nAbF07UFjBLQyufaJMSLNLL9tl3TFxp3lLDsk50pwcDkB4h8foi_KTM0SrxHrDW2cPboocBGpMcwugnQ-xfH7sFELsoO4zpf8/s1600/b044-046+hdr+1.jpg" height="262" title="colorado mountain landscape" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-90846487865661488952014-08-23T13:44:00.001-06:002014-08-23T13:44:31.516-06:00Rain, fog, clouds, and mountainsWe're almost at the cusp of monsoon season and early autumn, when overnight rains produce some fantastic low clouds in the morning.<br />
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Today I found a break in the weather to take some photos at McKee Pond near Marble, Colorado.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9kAaWr9YPzKJkqrEMqcDuUxjfZHFbk-wE6DYajmz0EnqyBofe_yBqHQitGAh8rfqnxAFDDhwBzG5tJK7uWrxMAf0K8daNlMn19rhJ18Vx8094io4NIWPln8RDSbj0fQHq9Q6ww7rjmdG/s1600/b022-024+hdr+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, marble, mountains" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9kAaWr9YPzKJkqrEMqcDuUxjfZHFbk-wE6DYajmz0EnqyBofe_yBqHQitGAh8rfqnxAFDDhwBzG5tJK7uWrxMAf0K8daNlMn19rhJ18Vx8094io4NIWPln8RDSbj0fQHq9Q6ww7rjmdG/s1600/b022-024+hdr+3.jpg" height="261" title="rainy, foggy, mountain morning" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl1s4wiTlmbWMb5iGaTkcnz_cBqN7cWcFxCcUdEuHrRxUBFL3u9KDK3kW8IvbCbo3qI9wyBrCFW7qDbtNrmVyu9-VJk0-fnC_mc4958IQyd99nfvtGWReWJ45H6ikKhzheH8Uxx6gVLIa/s1600/b037-039+hdr+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fog, clouds, mountains, pond, landscape" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl1s4wiTlmbWMb5iGaTkcnz_cBqN7cWcFxCcUdEuHrRxUBFL3u9KDK3kW8IvbCbo3qI9wyBrCFW7qDbtNrmVyu9-VJk0-fnC_mc4958IQyd99nfvtGWReWJ45H6ikKhzheH8Uxx6gVLIa/s1600/b037-039+hdr+3.jpg" height="261" title="rainy, foggy, mountain morning" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-5791026243875161732014-06-22T16:36:00.000-06:002014-06-22T16:36:51.641-06:00Huntsman's RidgeRunning north from McClure Pass, Huntsman's Ridge wraps around the west side of the Coal Basin west of Redstone, Colorado. The trail climbs about 1,700 feet before leveling out. This used to be a 4WD road, but the gate appears to have been closed the entire season (it was open last fall when I went up there, and a number of hunters had made camp part way up). The sign says that dirt bikes and ATVs can still use it, but they obviously are not. Given the downed trees across the road/trail, I can't imagine how even an ATV could navigate this.<br />
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I wasn't in the mood to drive far for a hike today, and this one is just a few miles from my home. I like how steeply it rises (great for exercise), how quiet it is (I was surprised when I saw two other hiking parties on my way down), and the incredible views of the Crystal River and North Fork (Gunnison) valleys.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5C17vqFmC7i64v70MNPHF0nw4NP9SpC31yhQekvTEW80UkjWPC01AefgoEAuDs_8QT9dDKMtLmGUbzCyDn-W1BaiGVz798oTnPCJMSbnEjExo-iVBpBwmcnQqbL73Bmg8rM2lnvSz_Yc/s1600/b016_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5C17vqFmC7i64v70MNPHF0nw4NP9SpC31yhQekvTEW80UkjWPC01AefgoEAuDs_8QT9dDKMtLmGUbzCyDn-W1BaiGVz798oTnPCJMSbnEjExo-iVBpBwmcnQqbL73Bmg8rM2lnvSz_Yc/s1600/b016_stitch.jpg" height="207" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">panorama from the meadow</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc5R3qoe5Ltnq9e1gvZaX7uIbHg20jKPS_7fL9w-9nal9MhF8RT-FUz7joeOkD8CMjXgqnnuRMw9K8_uSIQW_c-w-8N0qTPTllQ1LyenSJKw30KiUm5M0dlZSlegBi26dS6vS-0yMY9Eh/s1600/b026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, wildflower" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc5R3qoe5Ltnq9e1gvZaX7uIbHg20jKPS_7fL9w-9nal9MhF8RT-FUz7joeOkD8CMjXgqnnuRMw9K8_uSIQW_c-w-8N0qTPTllQ1LyenSJKw30KiUm5M0dlZSlegBi26dS6vS-0yMY9Eh/s1600/b026.jpg" height="323" title="colorado wildflower" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgW5oMHV3jEDmLQ0gO4ttQO7jlh-SIs062T0GjVXTBpIJm2eZeEsU9P38CBRVwVuO6jFsNcNys0QpAFkcMoySwWdjQX6o4ouw_ErXI06V645wadlfKPMwywaT1VFPTlZlUaws4a0hyi6t/s1600/b029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgW5oMHV3jEDmLQ0gO4ttQO7jlh-SIs062T0GjVXTBpIJm2eZeEsU9P38CBRVwVuO6jFsNcNys0QpAFkcMoySwWdjQX6o4ouw_ErXI06V645wadlfKPMwywaT1VFPTlZlUaws4a0hyi6t/s1600/b029.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crooked aspens</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivv6MmPjQJYE-op7G80MtQo7aKrFUhRyjGqT1e-tJ8xkmTqWiJAVwpevjtN9Vw4BWG65-maYhyphenhyphenC0kPs5ciLYzgAKJ-1y838UYk3nalRu_jd4e1ErJSFdVOHnMAX34BFXpyUSrb-K6V8rp/s1600/b064-066+hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, mountains, aspen, trees" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivv6MmPjQJYE-op7G80MtQo7aKrFUhRyjGqT1e-tJ8xkmTqWiJAVwpevjtN9Vw4BWG65-maYhyphenhyphenC0kPs5ciLYzgAKJ-1y838UYk3nalRu_jd4e1ErJSFdVOHnMAX34BFXpyUSrb-K6V8rp/s1600/b064-066+hdr.jpg" height="400" title="colorado aspens" width="282" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-23454681611541944002014-06-14T16:13:00.001-06:002014-06-14T16:13:36.837-06:00Hayes Creek FallsHayes Creek Falls is south of Redstone, Colorado. It flows year-round, but freezes in winter and is used by ice climbers. In the spring, melt-off fuels its surge as it runs into the Crystal River.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPjDumq6ju8ZkRSQftvG6CWkTzpUQdLY4Hc_ugVN4yUV7m0COmdK6UJlSYJSp6enX-o6dbvJQp0LhVEXcmJ6ZaM25Xk2qQP5u_QOultEuPcBaS4qOKgPrLiVgfKqxDbkTorEdcnxMS5PJ/s1600/b008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorado, waterfall, redstone, crystal river" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPjDumq6ju8ZkRSQftvG6CWkTzpUQdLY4Hc_ugVN4yUV7m0COmdK6UJlSYJSp6enX-o6dbvJQp0LhVEXcmJ6ZaM25Xk2qQP5u_QOultEuPcBaS4qOKgPrLiVgfKqxDbkTorEdcnxMS5PJ/s1600/b008.jpg" height="400" title="hayes creek falls" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-30663317222681544862014-06-01T08:01:00.002-06:002014-06-01T08:01:52.370-06:00Another early season hike up Avalanche CreekI've posted a few times to this blog about my favorite early season hike. Because it's relatively exposed, and tops out at only 9,000 feet, the Avalanche Creek trail is a great one to do when the others are muddy or choked with snow fields.<br />
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We saw a number of folks out enjoying the trail yesterday, as it was a Saturday and the weather was great. Here are a few shots showing the scenery and high water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IdZTNYDKy3XpaeVngfmPQiZJXils5X0_HVTthafCyObOVstPMbrNzWFTkLHRtv6KtiRlYdXRakFpt0L6Z7SwV8ng-cZPQOZdgw9jZ_tbrde27tkIV1aTNYAPsdGotgtH-DKpIfcQLS7L/s1600/b015_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="avalanche creek, colorado, hiking" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IdZTNYDKy3XpaeVngfmPQiZJXils5X0_HVTthafCyObOVstPMbrNzWFTkLHRtv6KtiRlYdXRakFpt0L6Z7SwV8ng-cZPQOZdgw9jZ_tbrde27tkIV1aTNYAPsdGotgtH-DKpIfcQLS7L/s1600/b015_stitch.jpg" height="117" title="avalanche valley panorama" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">panorama from the overlook</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2lCeUpAbwkTEry9qAKvLCnbTz0ACKfRjuj3qHv45BM1FVOltpSieMaIbUIgveEq1AFFHh7oCrM4b2_MWzunc367xWhfdUcx9HS8vPhWxoLvwOPA68Ym7tS_lCual6PK9myOnqGiO2UQk/s1600/b068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="avalanche creek, colorado, hiking" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2lCeUpAbwkTEry9qAKvLCnbTz0ACKfRjuj3qHv45BM1FVOltpSieMaIbUIgveEq1AFFHh7oCrM4b2_MWzunc367xWhfdUcx9HS8vPhWxoLvwOPA68Ym7tS_lCual6PK9myOnqGiO2UQk/s1600/b068.jpg" height="400" title="" width="281" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86UwQxpaUUqjQ9t_Ds7fsvrU2Ol7caHl1WalwJ7ijv2v8ocS40YTqFXw3oWBeCagkX1KbkRtKSFvO8mpM8C-fZktnNsLaKek8XI9gEP6B2GjYl59rB-391jsf-xY3G47JmA9PU6zGtAtk/s1600/b073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="avalanche creek, colorado, hiking" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86UwQxpaUUqjQ9t_Ds7fsvrU2Ol7caHl1WalwJ7ijv2v8ocS40YTqFXw3oWBeCagkX1KbkRtKSFvO8mpM8C-fZktnNsLaKek8XI9gEP6B2GjYl59rB-391jsf-xY3G47JmA9PU6zGtAtk/s1600/b073.jpg" height="400" title="hell roaring creek" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell Roaring creek</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSQBjMgN4KC_9Z2TK629hFlPb-kHLP4gQ_6-EST5F6fOvjF2jPoYDInC5tqxSjVyNX6vmAKD2OjiOmTJRqtSuZI-yBqeDFdVo2z4dOpNSqw2PW3pC5Pwp0htTC6TPdquJgkkrkxgd5YG-/s1600/b080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="colorado, wildflowers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSQBjMgN4KC_9Z2TK629hFlPb-kHLP4gQ_6-EST5F6fOvjF2jPoYDInC5tqxSjVyNX6vmAKD2OjiOmTJRqtSuZI-yBqeDFdVo2z4dOpNSqw2PW3pC5Pwp0htTC6TPdquJgkkrkxgd5YG-/s1600/b080.jpg" height="378" title="shooting stars" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shooting stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV6eohhUNqaXUtYvkxH2k710gfpOjwgDhxA30blZDaxSyW9FUYtIg1OTWF0_Zb0dRltsapQGaNwT9OHyP-MFPPzjC-ErjDEz-3mdqumOLHM8uQjlcXxpdCbD7awUQrYpGaiF_cr5p4RHE/s1600/b083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="avalanche creek, colorado, hiking" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV6eohhUNqaXUtYvkxH2k710gfpOjwgDhxA30blZDaxSyW9FUYtIg1OTWF0_Zb0dRltsapQGaNwT9OHyP-MFPPzjC-ErjDEz-3mdqumOLHM8uQjlcXxpdCbD7awUQrYpGaiF_cr5p4RHE/s1600/b083.jpg" height="400" title="" width="265" /></a></div>
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The Avalanche Creek trail begins at the eastern end of the USFS Avalanche campground, several miles east of highway 133, between Redstone and Carbondale, Colorado.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-16921970010061255012013-12-02T18:57:00.001-07:002013-12-02T18:57:10.219-07:00Thankful for Hanging Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHOm7BAhwaAS6CstlOnz-woSPO2S8yQL6cOYlB9CDfSP3NW09LN6oqKSsdRGvZwCuMhrFqJA1_NJdgO7dK6RDpNoymePCoL13J9HnvJU62h9usdeXk6p7qGltVzsI6WuT7YnHCfcvFmUr/s1600/1397375_672433629457549_1156742860_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Hanging Lake, glenwood springs, glenwood canyon, colorado" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHOm7BAhwaAS6CstlOnz-woSPO2S8yQL6cOYlB9CDfSP3NW09LN6oqKSsdRGvZwCuMhrFqJA1_NJdgO7dK6RDpNoymePCoL13J9HnvJU62h9usdeXk6p7qGltVzsI6WuT7YnHCfcvFmUr/s400/1397375_672433629457549_1156742860_o.jpg" title="Hanging Lake" width="400" /></a></div>
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When we rode our bikes to Hanging Lake this summer, the parking area was so full that traffic was backed up all the way to the interstate. It's easily one of the state's most popular attractions. But on Thanksgiving day, there were only a half dozen vehicles in the parking area when we arrived, and when we reached the lake, there was only one other couple there. Another two groups arrived while we were there, and we saw some others on the way up and down, but nothing like the summer crowds.<br /><br />This photo is a composite of thirty separate images, as it's a rare lens that's wide enough to capture the entire scene in one photograph. <br />
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I hope to return again in another month, as the hike up and the scene when you're there is so much better when there's more snow and ice.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-41944194298605918942013-09-18T16:50:00.001-06:002013-09-18T16:50:05.005-06:00Maroon BellsA few minutes southwest of Aspen, Colorado is the most-photographed place in the state: Maroon Bells, and Maroon Lake. Next week, as the autumn colors approach their peak, photographers will line the north shore of the lake, possibly with their tripod legs overlapping one another, as they seek to capture the iconic image.<br />
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I was there early, and for only the third time in the last twelve years, yesterday morning. I had the time and the car pass (we took an out-of-town guest there on Saturday afternoon), and wanted to try my hand at HDR photography. Here are the results using Fotor, and online HDR program. I later downloaded Luminance which produces results that are truer in color. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb2ICdKQHhJuxLgzURv1t46MhIu8_0aNY282svy21EYLahqpkPCbkvxXUamVJGN-6vCX51xfgg-np-E5YYy5QSKSeDpbSy-9TTEJLvhLtg6oLeYPhMgsLNTwPWK8GW_pCPJLx81CrpbuN/s1600/993410_634506236583622_748875738_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="maroon bells, aspen, colorado, landscape" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb2ICdKQHhJuxLgzURv1t46MhIu8_0aNY282svy21EYLahqpkPCbkvxXUamVJGN-6vCX51xfgg-np-E5YYy5QSKSeDpbSy-9TTEJLvhLtg6oLeYPhMgsLNTwPWK8GW_pCPJLx81CrpbuN/s400/993410_634506236583622_748875738_n.jpg" title="maroon bells" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-74436165685198391272013-09-09T11:25:00.000-06:002013-09-18T20:48:09.128-06:00American Lake, near Aspen, ColoradoAmerican Lake is in the Castle Creek valley, southwest of Aspen, Colorado. It's in the Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. Like nearby Cathedral Lake, it's a popular hike for both the scenery and proximity to the famous ski town. <br />
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I had hiked there once before, but the skies were cloudy, and I wasn't terribly pleased with my photos. We had perfect weather for the hike and for photography yesterday, and here's what I brought back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhroQlCz746WTTJCsIYy0UWyWvQ0OZwYkJdWy-GyKA2Du8dM-_t7LnZwMuEH89F881XZdk1G4yQrUM3cE7C_hVsPvg_D19MxbT4onlKW_quAGBXSngH8NoOEqdpIHsDectPlIQ9a4iaAo/s1600/bDSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhroQlCz746WTTJCsIYy0UWyWvQ0OZwYkJdWy-GyKA2Du8dM-_t7LnZwMuEH89F881XZdk1G4yQrUM3cE7C_hVsPvg_D19MxbT4onlKW_quAGBXSngH8NoOEqdpIHsDectPlIQ9a4iaAo/s400/bDSC_0017.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the upper half of the trail passes through pine groves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWxNpXxsRVczz1oRGXqAG6U5_9nUuIThS2aUTAqMMsG-RCDJwKYxPtZUCJ3N6XRUSl2i9VINENbHTJo5XIScU1SEPAKIpKcV8VuqbMdUeo2a4gg01v9sJK6AsAoyWYR1MhF8s55sk4cA9/s1600/bDSC_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWxNpXxsRVczz1oRGXqAG6U5_9nUuIThS2aUTAqMMsG-RCDJwKYxPtZUCJ3N6XRUSl2i9VINENbHTJo5XIScU1SEPAKIpKcV8VuqbMdUeo2a4gg01v9sJK6AsAoyWYR1MhF8s55sk4cA9/s400/bDSC_0050.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the gray jays, known as camp-robbers, are used to seeking food from hikers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2IDYBj9aDobPlpbElXbh4ISSf0BSTk_aRAuIVi2TOJ5QuwyxOmrk1jM0yuqToDw3XuzXArDZuDVKfpkQ3AHsjt0tVKl2VITRGV8lJlZfxsI0rHTDN-jyWvVnhF52nGQ-90l7u02JC1OE/s1600/bDSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="american lake, aspen, colorado, hike, trail" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2IDYBj9aDobPlpbElXbh4ISSf0BSTk_aRAuIVi2TOJ5QuwyxOmrk1jM0yuqToDw3XuzXArDZuDVKfpkQ3AHsjt0tVKl2VITRGV8lJlZfxsI0rHTDN-jyWvVnhF52nGQ-90l7u02JC1OE/s400/bDSC_0062.jpg" title="American Lake" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visitors are struck by the beautiful color of the lake</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti6mMBXpzipNETcyvp7iTWybYUCuslo02b3jYf03SK6JrVLOaeORAZhBWjpVaNGsMNGToVDokn6g5NcfHzTdQcnkUcGEPAhAeRMRduip6k0gcY7xPdee1qKOnHZe_OAKj3VkPe5PSg2II/s1600/bDSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="american lake, aspen, colorado, hike, trail" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti6mMBXpzipNETcyvp7iTWybYUCuslo02b3jYf03SK6JrVLOaeORAZhBWjpVaNGsMNGToVDokn6g5NcfHzTdQcnkUcGEPAhAeRMRduip6k0gcY7xPdee1qKOnHZe_OAKj3VkPe5PSg2II/s400/bDSC_0092.jpg" title="American Lake" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUUFpIEXmBmAgy_9cEMtWWYPP-afL9hMK73V8d2hO40NrBeyWnv9WuyNrXrAZcxTpUHCRkxnpvEzQHPWKUDn87O0fsUzGXUSOKa4dMdZ2iK4xXrR13wMLoReCoNW3gfECvkxnAWNnDic4/s1600/bDSC_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="american lake, aspen, colorado, hike, trail" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUUFpIEXmBmAgy_9cEMtWWYPP-afL9hMK73V8d2hO40NrBeyWnv9WuyNrXrAZcxTpUHCRkxnpvEzQHPWKUDn87O0fsUzGXUSOKa4dMdZ2iK4xXrR13wMLoReCoNW3gfECvkxnAWNnDic4/s400/bDSC_0106.jpg" title="american lake" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-51290095153906126462013-08-28T21:06:00.003-06:002013-08-28T21:06:55.303-06:00Yule Creek...againThe Raggeds Wilderness area spreads out to the south of the upper Crystal River valley. From Marble, Colorado, my favorite access is the Yule Creek trail. Though smooth tent sites are scarce there, I hope to bring a backpack up and spend the night there once. Until then, I'll have to be happy with my day hikes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jHmv6f0hy8-18cr-hWIv99mxhieVKUKPWym0oECAfZUYdQE04LEL9g-kz_P4m7N_fduIQwOHWEiYtZwyEfIIrdfgx62PjQ4m-MqUXIFu_LMISaJ253Hr6LnDRdtEm44EeH_O0Lwpy7Hp/s1600/b055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jHmv6f0hy8-18cr-hWIv99mxhieVKUKPWym0oECAfZUYdQE04LEL9g-kz_P4m7N_fduIQwOHWEiYtZwyEfIIrdfgx62PjQ4m-MqUXIFu_LMISaJ253Hr6LnDRdtEm44EeH_O0Lwpy7Hp/s400/b055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the overlook above Thompson Flats</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38qVR6ghonEL2iY6sBDnPtIzq1fUx-SNP1aMmBgfACZk82Skz2CxG-R4pnTnfT9RZgnEyMujv3V3RO2F3Th9qAh62D0LGzFJRvUZb-XT_MCL0ByMBynwgZO_lbfQxuON1GMzod4Dh_lsl/s1600/b090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38qVR6ghonEL2iY6sBDnPtIzq1fUx-SNP1aMmBgfACZk82Skz2CxG-R4pnTnfT9RZgnEyMujv3V3RO2F3Th9qAh62D0LGzFJRvUZb-XT_MCL0ByMBynwgZO_lbfQxuON1GMzod4Dh_lsl/s400/b090.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yule Creek</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-26324702518736284322013-07-23T07:32:00.001-06:002013-09-18T20:50:00.836-06:00Lyle Lake and Mormon LakeSometimes I'm reluctant to write about hikes that are so great I fear they'll become popular through my blog, and we won't be able to enjoy the near-monopoly we have when we're hiking there. Even during the peak months of summer, hikes out of the Frying Pan river valley into the Holy Cross wilderness area are never as crowded as those one finds near Aspen. Ours was the ninth vehicle at the trailhead on Sunday, and yet we only occasionally encountered other hikers (most on the way down from overnight camping there). Once at the lakes, we had them all to ourselves.<br />
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Unlike my past visits, the mosquitoes were out in force this time. The only bothered me when the breeze died down and we stood still for any length of time. My girlfriend, however, was nearly eaten alive. She had about thirty bites on her arms and shoulders, and was rather miserable. Despite that, she was able to appreciate the hike and called it the most beautiful she had ever seen.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu7bk2ssCL2ZjcOdAl9n6TByESghU3j9uubvUGRRUIrWQi-XNlJ_vZ1Iy0hYKGFzmczFYkAJLSJEyLxQFWbVJf9TNRJgcD95ZT-2PMafaougmYus5j4NuTGz0wKSjWSuqLZvCL0gF7247/s1600/bDSC_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu7bk2ssCL2ZjcOdAl9n6TByESghU3j9uubvUGRRUIrWQi-XNlJ_vZ1Iy0hYKGFzmczFYkAJLSJEyLxQFWbVJf9TNRJgcD95ZT-2PMafaougmYus5j4NuTGz0wKSjWSuqLZvCL0gF7247/s400/bDSC_0126.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyle Creek, just below Lyle Lake</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwPLmCK7Ef3dpyMy_y2giLpA9TUgASN1w5sK5QYNUM1ASb7qZIoUc-iY79rg2hGH_HyCUhRBMK57F86t3YB-tij42A25JHISEzHwmZ2k9_keGHlRCVcz81jaLjCB4VPaIWHXE2Gacs-p6/s1600/bDSC_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwPLmCK7Ef3dpyMy_y2giLpA9TUgASN1w5sK5QYNUM1ASb7qZIoUc-iY79rg2hGH_HyCUhRBMK57F86t3YB-tij42A25JHISEzHwmZ2k9_keGHlRCVcz81jaLjCB4VPaIWHXE2Gacs-p6/s400/bDSC_0144.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyle Lake lunch break</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOSMpCtGIevYXdwmkNCat7BwKIz04lqpbTyTI681HZitbSxZfoYkhPajm4BI0gn6GpmqzU1_DF_LBJ3gc493g1A1s7Xwc5E-cR2QLpxnfj-KXZOlXsk5yrMGSNw87Lo1AFGJNAGdE7Vit/s1600/bDSC_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lyle lake, holy cross, wilderness area, colorado, hike" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOSMpCtGIevYXdwmkNCat7BwKIz04lqpbTyTI681HZitbSxZfoYkhPajm4BI0gn6GpmqzU1_DF_LBJ3gc493g1A1s7Xwc5E-cR2QLpxnfj-KXZOlXsk5yrMGSNw87Lo1AFGJNAGdE7Vit/s400/bDSC_0178.jpg" title="lyle lake" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyle Lake on the trail up to Mormon Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCXVQIXczL9aSAWcxpNlvjxc95BU88pzUxX8pSrh2aYs9D5SwXWHlwWwAiYVGB-EmHX9yrghucdLWjsA3wpoH3emf0EX8xmPKIBLlLWemiUZrhbXJxLbMNorhZO4tStuFyuYwZf20Cz2l/s1600/bDSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCXVQIXczL9aSAWcxpNlvjxc95BU88pzUxX8pSrh2aYs9D5SwXWHlwWwAiYVGB-EmHX9yrghucdLWjsA3wpoH3emf0EX8xmPKIBLlLWemiUZrhbXJxLbMNorhZO4tStuFyuYwZf20Cz2l/s400/bDSC_0241.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pond and view above Mormon Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI9gvWnFQ_aTTaMHuclnDmf07hyphenhyphen50dy22YULj7nuaR9J0ha4gewbQfqNlvW0VTOdCbvXvA2_vC5C929xBPuFoqbriUfBmHub7CrtA00e4Xxux-r9ZIIllZGkZXH0rkxWm3Sc2rYHW6Jzl/s1600/bDSC_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lyle lake, holy cross, wilderness area, colorado" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI9gvWnFQ_aTTaMHuclnDmf07hyphenhyphen50dy22YULj7nuaR9J0ha4gewbQfqNlvW0VTOdCbvXvA2_vC5C929xBPuFoqbriUfBmHub7CrtA00e4Xxux-r9ZIIllZGkZXH0rkxWm3Sc2rYHW6Jzl/s400/bDSC_0274.jpg" title="lyle lake" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyle Lake from the saddle</td></tr>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712776214406088833.post-35823565591901425362013-06-21T10:42:00.002-06:002013-06-21T10:42:25.704-06:00Yule Creek in the Ragged MountainsI know enough about this trail to avoid it early in the season. It's north-facing and pretty shady, so it can hold a lot of snow well into June. We were able to catch a glimpse of the mountains at the south end of the valley from about ten miles away <a href="http://colorado-wilderness.blogspot.com/2013/06/hiking-season-is-open.html" target="_blank">last week</a>, and could see they held lots of snow. But after several days of warmth, I figured it was safe to try the hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4rT8mrNZjyOQe3WxBdEWjkNZQZp1L_XwgesGN0XU2zg4Ttwu5RrtlVqoM73kdYJ5h0iHWrx-N6EP6gI2HKF0QZH-YNk-Y1oCmX8WZ2QK9IaIHdtp54aWWmpOYMSV1BalENeXOZNQ4kog/s1600/b120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4rT8mrNZjyOQe3WxBdEWjkNZQZp1L_XwgesGN0XU2zg4Ttwu5RrtlVqoM73kdYJ5h0iHWrx-N6EP6gI2HKF0QZH-YNk-Y1oCmX8WZ2QK9IaIHdtp54aWWmpOYMSV1BalENeXOZNQ4kog/s400/b120.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stream or trail?</td></tr>
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The beginning of the hike was wet. What ought to have been a seasonal stream crossing the trail became a seasonal stream on the trail. The top third of the hike alternated between shallow snow and easy hiking. One place was deep and steep, and I prudently walked around it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_ahZjFoTvenmQeh6IVeNJELpmUJl-KrT2ZDJREsLZDijY-A8ETTX50WBfhBvKLU-hMYN6vANZjm0wMq3XyRDcyUVjGt0AX6JTDuXaHb3cTWeN2NFVIXavGQ_xg9gnlvHUgw5y-x2E17U/s1600/b090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_ahZjFoTvenmQeh6IVeNJELpmUJl-KrT2ZDJREsLZDijY-A8ETTX50WBfhBvKLU-hMYN6vANZjm0wMq3XyRDcyUVjGt0AX6JTDuXaHb3cTWeN2NFVIXavGQ_xg9gnlvHUgw5y-x2E17U/s400/b090.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snow on the trail</td></tr>
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Before too long I reached the overlook above Thompson Flats and was rewarded with one of my favorite views in Colorado:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9GXYhhqJeznQBGcWue3iNwKJjMFEpvXlSCGdWYHqxsY2ei_UVtPxhb3WgrdToHDR0nsuxGzRs3_FQrgVaUyLnBhsyoj26qV7qiwwF4IrhUeAGsiFO7izaaGaQeOSi0fw87Sy_8ZjCRMT/s1600/bw099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9GXYhhqJeznQBGcWue3iNwKJjMFEpvXlSCGdWYHqxsY2ei_UVtPxhb3WgrdToHDR0nsuxGzRs3_FQrgVaUyLnBhsyoj26qV7qiwwF4IrhUeAGsiFO7izaaGaQeOSi0fw87Sy_8ZjCRMT/s400/bw099.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view </td></tr>
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Blogspot is very touchy lately, making photo uploads difficult (if not impossible), so you're seeing the black & white version instead of the color one, as that's the only one that would load. Because it was mostly cloudy, I actually like the B&W landscape better.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975593079437118898noreply@blogger.com