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.

2 thoughts on “Three Ways To Columbine Falls

  1. You got lucky. I got rained out and thunderstormed on at Shelf/Solitude yesterday.
    As always. Nice shots. I love that trail. Very different from other trails indeed with all the people on it and all the climbers bivvying and just waking up at Chasm when you get there.

    1. Jao,

      Shelf Lake and Solitude Lake are definitely on my to-do list. I don’t have any images taken from either lake. I need to get up there one of these afternoons. Awesome shot of Blue Lake on your blog btw, very nice!.

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