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.