Huntsman's Ridge

Running 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.

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.

panorama from the meadow

crooked aspens

Autumn in the Colorado Mountains

The summer's drought is leaving the colors a little muted this year, but they're still spectacular.  It had been cloudy and rainy much of this week, when the colors were peaking.  I tried shooting with mixed results.  Then this morning the sun came out and lit up the scenery in a magnificent way.  A little fresh snow on the high peaks makes the scene perfect.

Chair Mountain from Placita, between Redstone and Marble, Colorado

Huntsman's Ridge

Treasure Mountain(left), Chair Mountain (right), and the Raggeds form the backdrop of this scenic view above the Crystal River Valley.

People familiar with the Colorado mountains will find it odd that this shot was taken in early July.  Why?  Because there's hardly any snow to be found!  A below-average winter (with respect to snowfall), coupled with a very warm spring and summer has left the mountains very dry and relatively snow-free.

The Crystal River, which flows in the valley above, is running about 80% below average for this time of year.  Until the rainfall of last week, it was flirting with the record lows of 1977.

All of us out here are hoping that the wildfires making the news are brought under control quickly, and that few new ones take their place.  We remember the summer of 2002 well, when everyone was on edge all summer long. 

This morning, I hiked up Hunstman's ridge again.  I've done this about a dozen times this spring and summer, as it's close to home and makes for a great training hike.  I would like to get up into the other high country some more, but have been busy with a variety of things, and just haven't gotten around to it yet.  Soon, I hope.

Scenic Winter Vista

I first discovered this point several years ago when I was hiking up Huntsmans Ridge in the summer.  After reaching the ridge, I saw a game trail leading down it, and followed that out to the end, where one is treated to a nearly 360 degree view.  To the north, you can see Mt. Sopris, and to the south, the North Fork (of the Gunnison) valley.  This shot is taken to the southeast, with (from left to right) Treasure Mountain, Ragged Mountain, and Chair Mountain most prominent.  You also get a nice view of the Crystal River Valley at the bend where the settlement of Placita used to exist.

I never dreamed of being able to enjoy this view in winter, but was able to reach it by snowshoes this weekend.  I broke a lot of trail on Saturday, so when I returned on Sunday, was able to go even higher.  I would have liked to shoot this from closer to the edge, but didn't want to risk having the cornice give way, and take me on an express ride to the bottom.

Huntsmans Ridge can be reached from McClure Pass, near Marble and Redstone, Colorado, a half hour north of Paonia.  The trail runs north of the pass, while to the south is Ragged Mountain Road, an easier and thus more traveled route.

Snowshoeing on Huntsmans Ridge

Midway between Redstone and Marble, Colorado, in the Crystal River Valley, is the road to McClure Pass.  From the top of the pass, Forest Service roads run north and south.  The southern route is Ragged Mountain Road.  To the north is Huntsmans Ridge.  The latter offers great views of the Crystal River valley, Chair Mountain and the Raggeds (as well as Treasure Mountain, just outside of Marble), and continues around the south and west sides of the Coal Basin.

Most foot traffic, including skiers and snowshoers, follows the easier Ragged Mountain Road.  While pleasant enough of a hike, the views and experience, in my opinion, are superior on Huntsmans Ridge.  Climbing about 1,000 feet per mile, it's relatively steep, but that's just what my friend Dana calls "efficient."

Today, I was able to follow the tracks of backcountry skiers who had skinned up much of the way.  From then on, I was breaking trail, which wasn't too bad, because I didn't sink so much in the heavy snow that fell this past week.  The trees were blanketed in snow, which made for some interesting photos.  The views were spectacular.  I think I'll go back up there tomorrow.

Winterscape with mountain and river

Chair Mountain, lit by the morning sun, is reflected in the Crystal River one winter day in Colorado.

One of my favorite places to shoot, this bend in the river is known as Placita, and is midway between Redstone and Marble, Colorado.

The Crystal River Valley

Connecting Marble to Redstone to Carbondale, Colorado, the Crystal River Valley is one of the most scenic areas in Colorado.  A snowstorm last night gave everything a fresh white coating, and the parting clouds this morning stand out great against the blue sky.

Colorado riverscape in both color and black & white

We carried our snowshoes down to the river this morning, thinking they would be needed in the deep snow.  However, the freeze/thaw cycles of the last couple weeks left the surface rather firm, and we were able to get around quite easily with just boots.  If this condition exists at higher elevations, we might be able to get into the deep backcountry much earlier this spring.

So we carried our snowshoes, instead of wearing them, and set them down to take photos along the Crystal River.  This shot, below Chair Mountain, is at one of those bends in the river where you can walk out into the stream this time of year.

I love this view!

Of course there are thousands of views I love.  Colorado is one of the most spectacular places to hike, backpack, ski, snowshoe.... or just live. 

The scene above is looking southeast towards the Ragged Mountain chain, with Chair Mountain on the right.  I took this from just below McClure Pass, on Highway 133, between Redstone and Marble, Colorado.

The longer days mean more photo ops, and I may be coming in late to work if the conditions warrant it.  Spring is a time for fog in the Crystal River valley, and foggy mornings can produce incredible landscape images.

Snowshoeing in the Colorado winter landscape

Even with snowshoes on, we were sinking over a foot deep in the snow.  Had we been wearing only boots, I can't imagine how difficult it would have been to travel very far.  The cold weather this winter is preserving the snow and keeping it light and fluffy.  I was really surprised it hadn't settled more.

Starting  near the Bogan Flats group camp, downstream of Marble, Colorado, we traveled up the Crystal River until the steep slope turned us back.  A snow squall was fully upon us by the time we returned to the car.  Earlier the area was bathed in sunshine. 

The winter landscape, especially when the blue skies are obscured by clouds, is rather monochromatic.  Thus shooting landscapes in black and white, instead of color, just seems like a natural thing to do.  I like the results.

Chair Mountain and the Crystal River valley

This area sees a decent amount of visitors in the summer, and seems mobbed in autumn, when the aspens are in full color, but winter is pretty quiet.  Exploring this bend in the river, below McClure Pass, is one of my favorite activities when I'm not in the mood to travel far.  The trail was packed enough that you could walk it in boots, but the deep snow made for quite a challenge when I stepped off the trail.  I think I'll wear snowshoes the next time I go down there.