Rocky Update

The past few weeks have been quite hectic in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park after the historic flooding that hit the northern Front Range of Colorado. Things are rapidly getting back to normal and much of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are now open for business. Here's an image from Lake Haiyaha a few weeks prior to the flooding. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 17mm TS-E F4 L
The past few weeks have been quite hectic in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park after the historic flooding that hit the northern Front Range of Colorado. Things are rapidly getting back to normal and much of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are now open for business. Here’s an image from Lake Haiyaha a few weeks prior to the flooding. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 17mm TS-E F4 L

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are back open for business. Repairs will be ongoing for quite sometime and were all going to have to get acquainted with flashing signs and orange cones great progress has been made in getting things up and running.

Nearly all of Estes Park is open for business again. Most likely you will need to take a less direct routes to get to Estes Park, but nonetheless the stores and restaurants and hotels welcome your visit.

As far as the roads go, timelines have now been set and repairs have started to the major routes in and out of Estes Park. While it looks like US 34 through the Big Thompson will be out of service for the foreseeable future, road contractors along with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper have set a December 1st deadline for US 36 to reopen to traffic albeit in a state that makes it passable. Colorado 119 through Boulder Canyon is also slated to reopen by mid October making for another alternative route to the Peak to Peak highway and Estes Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park has now reopened much of the east side of the park for travel and hiking. There are still numerous closures in effect but a large area of the park was reopened on Thursday including Bear Lake Road. Many area of the park including Old Fall River Road are closed and will remain so for the considerable future as damage is severe in areas.

Snow also fell above 8000 ft twice in the last week. Trail Ridge Road was closed mid week, then reopened and now closed again. Warmer weather allowed the National Park Service to reopen Trail Ridge again, but its seasonal closure is rapidly approaching with each new storm that enters the state.

The folks in the foothills communities as well as the northern Front Range have endured a lot of hardship over the last few weeks. Residents of Estes Park are now living by the credo of ‘Mountain Strong’. I’ll be heading up there over the next week to photograph the autumn colors and elk rut and I would suggest it’s as good as time as ever for to reconnect with Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park and help the business and services of the community dig out and get back on the path to recovery. Now lets keep our fingers crossed that Congress can come to an eleventh hour resolution that avoids shutting the government and National Parks down by as early as tonight.

100 Year Flood

Pioneers like Abner Sprague endured many difficulties and hardships during their early years in Colorado. Even with the hardships settlers like Abner Sprague endured, the flooding that has pummeled Colorado in the last week is something very few have witnessed. Like Sprague, Coloradans will endure hardships and move forward. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24mm TS-E F3.5 L II
Pioneers like Abner Sprague endured many difficulties and hardships during their early years in Colorado. Even with the hardships settlers like Abner Sprague endured, the flooding that has pummeled Colorado in the last week is something very few have witnessed. Like Sprague, Coloradans will endure hardships and move forward. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24mm TS-E F3.5 L II

When my alarm sounds long before dawn to wake me for a morning in the field, I’m tempted to hit snooze or shut the alarm off. There is a little voice in the back of my head however, that pushes me out of bed and gets me moving. Part of that voice is telling me not to take for granted the opportunity before me. It reminds me that nobody promises you tomorrow.

When out photographing and hiking it’s always there in the back of my mind. It’s the big ‘what if’. What if a major forest fire destroyed large areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, or Chautauqua in Boulder?. What if a microburst sends 4 inches of rain down one of these mountain canyons?. What if these public lands were no longer public or accessible?

Over the last few years we’ve had a little of all of these things happen periodically. Threats to shut down park operations through sequestration and budget shortfalls, The Fern Lake fire in Rocky Mountain National Park, and then the disaster of this past week cemented my worst fears.

Beginning on September 8th, rain started falling over Boulder, Estes Park and the foothill communities of the northern Front Range. It rained and rained and over the course of the next few days it became apparent that this was going to be more than just a wet week. Over the course of the week Boulder received over 16 inches of rain, blowing away the previous record of just under 8 inches. Communities in the foothills received over 20 inches of rain in this same timeframe.

The amount of rain falling on the mountains over the course of the week was nothing short of biblical. The water streamed down mountainsides and funneled into the nearest stream, creeks and rivers which quickly became raging torrents sweeping downhill obliterating everything in it’s path.

The amount of destruction caused by the flood is staggering. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed by the flooding. The roads in the foothills are in total disarray. Many canyon roads are washed out for miles and miles. This has nearly isolated communities such as Estes Park from the outside world and has made travel to these areas impossible except for residents and essential services.

Currently there are no timelines regarding repairs to roads and highways. Engineers have yet to survey the damages but its a safe bet it will be years until Boulder, Estes Park and the foothill communities are returned to pre-flood condition.

My photography will take a back seat for awhile as things sort themselves out and a clearer picture of the devastation unfolds. There is lots of help required here in Boulder and until the road situations improve, Open Space proprieties reopen along with Rocky Mountain National Park, there are few options available for photography.

Towns such as Estes Park are faced with a difficult predicament. Access is limited, and the town needs time to cleanup, reopen and cope with the loss in the community. At the same time Estes Park business depend heavily on seasonal tourist travel with the month of September being one of the towns busiest. People visit Estes Park from all around the country this time of year to view the fall colors and watch the Elk rut. It appears that much of that business will be lost for the season, leaving many business owners to fend for themselves over the slower winter and spring months.

When access to towns like Estes Park improves all of us who love visiting the town and Rocky Mountain National Park need to do our best to help the local business out. We need to show support by visiting the town, spending money and letting people know Estes Park is open for business.

Down the road, the damages will be repaired, towns will reopen for business and visitors and homeowners will return to their normal routines. Nobody will forget the flood of 2013, but Colorado has a long history of hardy inhabitants who weather the forces of nature, brush the dust off and climb right back on their horse and move forward. I expect things will be no different this time.

Three Ways To Columbine Falls

Looking east over the Twin Sisters, sunrise unfolds over the plains of eastern Colorado. The waters of Columbine Falls go rushing by but not before picking up the colorful hues of the morning sky. Chasm Lake was my destination this morning, but with the changing conditions, Columbine Falls offered more opportunities for photography this particular morning. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS
Looking east over the Twin Sisters, sunrise unfolds over the plains of eastern Colorado. The waters of Columbine Falls go rushing by but not before picking up the colorful hues of the morning sky. Chasm Lake was my destination this morning, but with the changing conditions, Columbine Falls offered more opportunities for photography this particular morning. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS
The plan was to hike up to Chasm Lake at the base of Longs Peak for sunrise. Chasm Lake is both a favorite location to photograph and also a favorite hike of mine in Rocky Mountain National Park. As I often emphasize in my blog, plans change and one needs to remain flexible. This morning was no different.

It’s rare for me to see other people out and about on most of my pre-dawn hikes into a given location. Occasionally, I’ll see a climber or two prepping at the trailhead on my way out but mostly its solitary adventure.

The hike to Chasm Lake shares the same the route to the summit of Longs Peak for over three miles. Because this route is shared with one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, it differs from most of my pre-dawn adventures in that I’m hiking the route along with a lot of other hikers, even at 3 AM. Most of these other adventures have their sights set on summiting Longs Peak, Rocky’s only fourteener and highest peak.

The view of Columbine Falls looking towards the south is also impressive. Columbine Falls dives over the ledge which beautiful Peacock Pool glows a dark shade of blue far below. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS
The view of Columbine Falls looking towards the south is also impressive. Columbine Falls dives over the ledge which beautiful Peacock Pool glows a dark shade of blue far below. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS

An early morning hike from the Longs Peak trailhead is one of the most unique experiences visitors can have in Rocky Mountain National Park. The parking lot and trailhead buzz with activity and excitement long before sunrise as hikers and climbers prepare to ascend this Colorado landmark in time to avoid violent late afternoon weather common to the area.

I broke through the hustle and bustle of the parking area and pushed on past the ever lit trail register at the start of the trail and off into to the darkness of the forest. The hike was uneventful as I passed a few parties resting and eating breakfast along the side of the trail.

In less than an hour I was above tree line. I could see the silhouetted mantle of Longs Peak ahead. Just below Mount Lady Washington I could see a string of lights bobbing along the alpine tundra headed towards the summit of Longs Peak. The view of headlamps emitting light like fireflies along the trail is a sight to behold. It’s hard to imagine there are this many other people out and about at this time of morning.

As I neared Chasm Junction, the clouds that had filled the air on the hike up had quickly begun to dissipate over the peaks. The wind was picking up in strength as well and I quickly started to assess my ‘Plan B’ options. Without clouds over Longs Peak and with a stiff breeze blowing Chasm Lake was becoming less than optimal for the morning shoot.

The classic postcard photo of Columbine Falls is looking west towards the summit of Longs Peak and the imposing east face known as 'The Diamond'. Technical Details: Canon Eos 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS L
The classic postcard photo of Columbine Falls is looking west towards the summit of Longs Peak and the imposing east face known as ‘The Diamond’. Technical Details: Canon Eos 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS L

Luckily, there are no shortages of choices when it comes to alternate locations to photograph in the area. Chasm Meadows was and option but as I scanned the skies, there were still clouds over the eastern plains of Colorado. Columbine Falls looked like just the place to be for sunrise.

I often photograph Columbine Falls on my way back down from Chasm Lake as you essentially hike right over the top of Columbine Falls on your way to and from Chasm Lake. One shouldn’t short change Columbine Falls however, as it deserves to be a destination all its own.
Columbine falls essentially runs west to east. Being orientated as such, it’s a good location to work in varying conditions as you increase your chances for dramatic lighting when you can photograph in both directions. This is what makes it such a great fallback location when things are not coming together as planned.

Sunrise unfolded over the plains of eastern Colorado and although clouds had pushed away from the divide, Columbine Falls was a better location to be in this day then Chasm Lake from a photographers standpoint.

Streaking At Mills Lake

The summit of Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park's highest peak illuminates as sunrise unfolds over Glacier Gorge deep in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. I've been riding a streak of very favorable conditions in Rocky that have enabled me to capture some dramatic light over some of Rocky's most beautiful locations. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24mm TS-E F3.5 L II
The summit of Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park’s highest peak illuminates as sunrise unfolds over Glacier Gorge deep in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve been riding a streak of very favorable conditions in Rocky that have enabled me to capture some dramatic light over some of Rocky’s most beautiful locations. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24mm TS-E F3.5 L II

Hot streaks and slumps. Athletes all go through them from time to time, particularly baseball players and golfers. Like athletes, photographers are not immune to these circumstances either.

As photographers we’ve all had trips in the field where it seems like everything is falling in to place for us. Sunrise and sunsets are beautiful, winds are calm and we always seem to be in the right place at the right time. The opposite holds true as well. Any photographer worth their salt has spent countless hours in the field waiting for sunrises and sunsets that never materialized.

Like most athletes who are slumping, the key is to stay persistent and work through the slump. Everyday is a new day and if you keep putting yourself in a position to be successful, your persistence will pay off and your slumping ways will reverse.

I’m lucky enough to be on a streak at the moment. The conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park the last few weeks have been nothing short of spectacular. There seems to be rain showers every afternoon and evening and the additional moisture means clouds have been hanging around the peaks most mornings. Streams are still running well and the winds have been calm most of the time, a rarity for sure.

The streak continued for me as I headed up to Mills Lake in Glacier Gorge one morning last week. Typically, Mills Lake is photographed in the afternoon. In the afternoon the sun illuminates the backside of the Longs Peak and much of Glacier Gorge making it more favorable on paper at least. I’ve been planning for sometime to shoot Mills Lake in the morning when the conditions and clouds would be such that dramatic sunrise was light the sky above Glacier Gorge.

Arriving at Mills Lake I found the water smooth as glass. Fog curled over the ridge between Pagoda Mountain and The Spearhead and some hung in the valley itself. Most importantly, the clouds in the sky were looking perfect for a dramatic sunrise. A beautiful sunrise unfolded and I hiked back down from Mills Lake satisfied and still feeling the rush of the mornings sunrise.

Mornings like these make you feel blessed and when I arrived back at my truck in the parking lot, I wanted to pinch myself to make sure this was all real. A quick check on the display of my camera dispelled any chance that the morning was imagined. I’m on a good streak I thought to myself, here’s hoping that I can continue on this streak for just a little longer.