Maroon Bells

A 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.

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.

American Lake, near Aspen, Colorado

American 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. 

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.

the upper half of the trail passes through pine groves

the gray jays, known as camp-robbers, are used to seeking food from hikers

visitors are struck by the beautiful color of the lake

Thomas Lakes on the slopes of Mt. Sopris

west Thomas Lake

east Thomas Lake

For the distance (eight miles r/t), views, degree of difficulty (~500 ft/mile), and proximity to Carbondale, I'm always surprised this trail isn't more crowded.  Don't get me wrong, it's a very popular hike, and one that usually has a couple of dozen other hikers on it.  But that's not very many.  And that's coming from someone who prefers not to find any other hikers on his trails.

The trail is snow-free now, though we did find some snow in the shady places around the lakes.  We encountered quite a few people who were camping overnight, including two parties we knew.  But with a dozen established campsites, there were still some open ones.

Despite the near-average snowpack this year, the east lake was a good four or five feet below normal.  Just like last year.  Not sure what's going on there.  Also the stream crossings were very easy for any time of the year, but especially this early in the season.

My girlfriend tripped on the way down and hurt her knee, so I don't know if we'll be able to hike next weekend.  I hope so, even it's an easy one.

Duley Park on the Avalanche Creek trail

About four and a half miles up the Avalanche Creek trail is Duley Park, an open expanse that looks like a great place to build your dream home.  For day-hikers, this is a great spot to enjoy lunch and take photos.  Backpackers could make camp in the pines near the creek.  On the other side of the clearing the trail continues its gentle climb toward Avalanche Lake - the last mile and a half of which is rather steep.  There's also a junction with a trail that goes over a pass into Lead King Basin.

I often hike Avalanche Creek early in the season because of its low elevation and southern exposure.  September is a nice time too, as the golden fields compliment the blue skies and puffy white clouds.  In a couple of weeks, the aspens that cover the northern slopes of the valley will be ablaze in color, and I may return to photograph them.

The Avalanche Creek trailhead is in the campground at the end of the USFS road that turns east from Highway 133 about ten miles south of Carbondale, Colorado.

American Lake near Aspen

Not far from the popular Cathedral Lake hike in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area south of Aspen is American Lake.  Surrounded by steep cliffs that rise nearly two thousand feet above the lake, this hike is well worth the effort.  The trail climbs about 1,700 feet over three and a half miles, and has very good footing most of the way.  Once at the lake, it's not difficult to walk its circumference, and something I recommend, since there's nowhere else to go except back down.

The trailhead is a couple of miles shy of the ghost town of Ashcroft, on the south side of the Castle Creek valley.

Avalanche Creek 2011

Thank goodness the trail stays north of the water, as it's running very high and fast this year.

Plenty of wildflowers abound, especially shooting stars.

 

The trailhead is at the end of the Avalanche Creek Road, on the east side of the USFS campground.  The road joins Highway 133 about ten miles south of Carbondale.

Marble, Colorado

Marble, Colorado is an unsightly little town nestled in one of the most beautiful valleys you'll ever see.  Sandwiched between the Raggeds and Snowmass-Maroon Bells wilderness areas, and with Lead King Basin to the east, Marble is a great jumping-off point for many backcountry trips.

The Marble airstrip is quiet for all but a couple weekends a year.

Backpacking and day-hikes, horseback trips, and fishing are just a few of the many things you can do in the Crystal River valley around Marble.

Some of my favorite hikes in the area are Carbonate Creek, North Lost Creek, Geneva Lake, and Yule Creek.  Backpackers will want to hike into Lead King Basin, where there are many campsites, and the scenery is unparalleled.

The Chair Mountain Ranch has cabins you can rent for any length of time.  Dave and Linda are great hosts, and will do all they can to ensure you have a great stay.

Marble is about twenty five miles south of Carbondale.  Take Highway 133 south to Gunnison County Road 3 (affectionately known as "the Marble road").