A new resource for Colorado trail information

As an avid landscape photographer, I create tens of thousands of photos every year.  Over a thousand of these are posted to my Flickr pages.  Dozens more, plus advice and other useful information are on my website, Best-Landscape-Photography.com.  It's from these locations that many people doing web searches find my work.  Some merely admire it, some take it, and a few offer to buy it. 

A few weeks ago, I got an e-mail from a guy creating a new website for people who love to explore Colorado as much as I do.  His site, RokSlide.com, needed photos for many of the trails he was describing.  I offered him as many of mine as he wanted in exchange for links.  He agreed, and now he's using my images to enhance his description of at least ten hikes.  I like the format of his site, and am eager to see how it evolves.  I'll probably use it myself for areas with which I'm unfamiliar.

Snowshoeing is the way to go

Snowshoeing was much easier this weekend, as we enjoyed the warmest weather since November.  The snow was much more settled, and we didn't have to wear nearly as much clothing. 

A friend took us to visit some friends of his.  Their house is accesible only by snowshoe and snowmobile in the winter.  We parked by the road and hiked about a third of a mile uphill.  Then we went farther up with our hosts, exploring the landscape high above the river.

Another reason your travels benefit from good maps

I recommend you carry a good map when you travel, mostly so you don't get lost.  But there are other benefits too.  I remember a vacation in Maine, when we saw something from a bridge and wondered what it was.  The map identified it as Fort Knox, from where the Penobscott River was guarded from the British.

Back to the present, and my friends and I looking for a good photo hike on New Year's Day.  My newest map showed a small parcel of BLM land a few miles up Cattle Creek.  Down the west side flowed Fisher Creek, and along this a trail led up the valley. 

After about a mile and a half of hiking, I saw a rectangular shape across a large meadow.  It didn't look natural, and I traversed an old barbed wire fence to get back to the trail and work my way towards this object.  Getting closer, I could see it was a long-abondoned ranch at the confluence of three small creeks.  There were several structures and parts of an old corral still fighting in vain against gravity and weather.  The various textures and patterns kept our attention - and shutters - rapt for over an hour.

It was a great hike, and one to which I'm sure we'll return again.

What to take on a backpacking trip - a handy list

 

In addition to those items you bring on a day hike, http://colorado-wilderness.blogspot.com/2009/12/your-day-pack-contents-what-to-carry-on.html, your backpack will contain those things necessary for spending one or more nights in the wilderness.  Because you'll be carrying everything for miles, sometimes with significant elevation gains, it's important to consider the weight and necessity of each piece of camping gear you put in your backpack.

• Tent - lightweight backpacking tents have been around for a while; depending on the season and climate of your trip, you may go with as little as a rain fly or as much as a four-season tent
• Sleeping bag - possibly the bulkiest thing in your pack, the right sleeping bag can make a big difference in your comfort
• Sleeping pad - inflatable foam core sleeping pads insulate you from the cold ground and give you a soft surface on which to place your sleeping bag
• Biodegradable soap, camp towel, and other toiletries
• Toilet paper and trowel (plus the knowledge of how to use them in the wilderness)
• Lightweight stove and fuel, pot for boiling water, cup or mug, spoons, water filter
• Second flashlight - I prefer LED flashlights, and will take one handheld and one headlamp
• Garbage bag (pack it in - pack it out)
• CLOTHING - in addition to what you would pack or wear for a day-hike, bring extra clothing depending on your comfort level wearing dirty clothes; a fleece vest might be the only additional insulating layer you'll need
• FOOD - some people take great pride in their ability to make "gourmet trail meals;" I prefer to think food-is-fuel, and bring things that are dense with calories, low in water (weight), and easy to clean up; see (insert post url here) for a complete discussion of trail food
• to be continued...

Your day pack contents - what to carry on every hike in the mountains

 

It may sound like a cliche, but the weather in the mountains is very unpredictable.  It can snow any month of the year, and afternoon thunderstorms are very common in the summer.  Being prepared, by bringing the right things in your pack, can make the difference between a pleasant backcountry outing and a very uncomfortable - or dangerous - day in the wilderness.

• A day pack should be large enough to hold your things, and have a hip-belt for both support and stability.  Pockets and loops for strapping on additional items are helpful.
• Water - I bring two liters for every hike, and a water filter for long days.  It's easy to get dehydrated in the upper elevations, especially on strenuous hikes.
• Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and sun hat - the high altitude sun is laser-like, and can scorch your skin in little time
• Rain jacket and rain pants - the waterproof and breathable materials are well worth the extra cost; they're much more comfortable and keep you drier because they allow your body's moisture to evaporate
• Fleece jacket and pants - there have been days in June and August when I was glad to have the added warmth of a fleece layer under my rain gear; if you have room, throw in a fleece hat and gloves
• First aid kit, LED flashlight, butane lighter, pocketknife, and some nylon cord - you probably won't use them, but they take up little space, and you'll be damn glad you have them should the need arise
• Food - you know what your body needs, so adjust accordingly; I tend to favor fruit (dried and fresh), nuts, cheese, and crackers, because they pack a lot of calories in a small amount of space and are very satisfying
• A good topographic map - so many of the trails are easy to follow, and as you gain experience you'll be more confident in your ability to find your way around, but maps are helpful in identifying surrounding landmarks and knowing your elevation
• Camera - whether it's a lightweight point-and-shoot or a fancy DSLR, you'll want to capture the scenery to share with friends and family
• OPTIONAL (items that aren't necessary, but make things more comfortable if you're willing to carry them) - toilet paper, camp chair, light tarp (with grommets), camera tripod, spare socks
• CLOTHING - the new wickable fabrics make life outside so much more comfortable, as they pull moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and warm; whether you wear boots or sturdy shoes is your choice, but respect your feet in your choice of both footwear and socks - your feet are your way back to the trailhead

Colorado's Crystal River

Late autumn and early winter offer some incredible photo opportunties on the Crystal River.  These stretches will be almost completely snow-covered soon.  Right now, with the mixture of ice and open water, they have so much more visual interest.

These two photos were taken between Marble and Redstone, Colorado.