Pastels At Bierstadt Lake

Pesky widlfire smoke still abounds in Rocky Mountain National Park as of yesterday morning. The wildfire smoke that we have been dealing with here on the Front Range does not seem to want to clear out. With that said, the soft hues at sunrise at Bierstadt Lake along with the wildfire smoke made for some interesting light yesterday. Technical Details: Nikon Z7 II, Nikkor 24-120mm F4 S lens

With some major changes in the weather pattern at the back end of this week in Rocky Mountain National Park, one can hope that we are on the cusp of possibly clearing out the pesky wildfire smoke that has been making photography difficult for the past month or so. Cooler weather with some decent chances of moisture the end of this week and into next week should improve conditions as well as make for a few interesting sunrises and sunsets.

Wildfire smoke or not, whats better than getting out on the trail and going for a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park?. The Bierstadt Lake trail is always a spectacular hike, but I love this section on the west end the lake that cuts through the thick pine forest on the loop around Bierstadt. Technical Details: Nikon Z7II, Nikkor 24-120mm F4 S lens

With the weather pattern changing, I hiked up to Bierstadt Lake hoping for some interesting light. Bierstadt Lake has in my opinion, one of the most spectacular views of the continental divide and its a fun little hike as well. I also wanted to see if there was any signs of fall color along the Bierstadt Moraine as I’ve seen a few trees here and there starting to change color. It’s not uncommon by Labor day to have the stray aspen tree here and there start showing of some golden color.

I arrived at Bierstadt Lake well before sunrise. I was quickly greeted by the Bierstadt Airfare, which to those who know, are the Mallards that will greet you along the shoreline shorty after you arrive. They will also swim around right in the reflection of the lake if its going to be a spectacular sunrise (this is of course not totally accurate!).

There were some nice clouds floating over Rocky but the wildfire smoke was still present. Sunrise itself was muted by clouds over the eastern plains of Colorado which has been another common occurrence this summer. Just before sunrise however, the high level clouds picked up a nice salmon hue due to the diffusion from the wildfire smoke. It wasn’t exactly the dramatic sunrise I was looking for but it was beautiful nonetheless.

Its only the thid week of August but there a subtle signs everywhere that autumn is quickly approaching Rocky Mountain National Park. There are a few aspen trees here and there showing yellow and gold and these ferns along the base of the Bierstadt Moraine are also starting to transition over to their autumn colors. Technical Details: Nikon Z7 II, Nikkor 24-120mm F4 S lens

Heading back down the Bierstadt Moraine, I was surprised to find quite a few aspen leaves showing their fall color. The ferns along the base of the Bierstadt Moraine also were looking colorful in some areas. It’s been very hot and dry in RMNP the past month, so I’d attribute this more to the plants and trees being stressed then anything else. Based on my early take, I would guess we may have a slightly earlier than usual autumn season, but I’d also say based on how dry its been, colors could be muted or the transitions could be more staggered than all at once.

I’ll be sure to updates and keep and eye on how things are progressing in the park going forward but either way you cut it, Rocky short and sweet summer is quickly coming to an end and fall is knocking at front door.