Posted by Brett Grossman on November 2, 2006 at 12:34 PM
Hey Folks,
I am dropping in from the Pacific Northwest forum because I have a work trip heading over to Boulder and was looking for some tips on potential shooting locations.
My trip is the last week of Nov, and it is for my day job, so my ability to venture too far from Boulder is limited. I have some really good buddies that are photographers who live in/know the area real well (i.e. 'guides'). However, I thought pinging the collective knowledge here would really be beneficial too. It is such a teriffic area, It'd be great to venture into an area the locals really enjoy.
I saw the great map you folks have put together on this forum and will definitely take advantage of that if I can. Thanks in advance for any of your thoughts.
Best regards,
-Brett
Posted by Jack Brauer on November 2, 2006 at 3:00 PM
Chitaqua is the obvious and much photographed spot (right below the Flatirons). There are lots of great trails that wind up into the Flatirons... just take any one of these trails and you're sure to find lots of unique photo opportunities. The views from the top are sweet too; you can see the entire Indian Peaks range in the distance to the west, and the ocean of plains to the east.
Posted by Les Barstow on November 2, 2006 at 4:54 PM
Too much stuff to cover here. Eldorado Canyon State Park is good, but better (IMHO) in other seasons. Sawhill Ponds and Walden Ponds are good sites for waterfowl viewing; likewise St. Vrain State Park - they don't offer much in the scenery department (mostly a series of former sand pits), but frequently have opportunities for photographing assorted shorebirds and waterfowl, as well as prairie dogs at St. Vrain. Just a little further, Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR is also a great nature location - again, limited scenic opportunities.
The Boulder Mountain Park and Open Space system is a good visit; Chatauqua and the trail system going down to Mesa Trailhead provide access to many canyons that might be of interest.
Posted by Grant Collier on November 2, 2006 at 6:50 PM
Boulder Falls can be nice if it's frozen over by then.
My $.02 in addition to Jack and Les' excellent suggestions:
For large mule deer, park in the NCAR parking lot and walk down the road - you will have seen whether big bucks are on the road when you drove up. From there, hike on the path behind NCAR into the mid-section of the Flatirons and access trails in 3 directions. There is a ranger station at Chautaqua that can give you a map and some ideas. If we have crappy weather, you can shoot in the ponderosa forest above Chautaqua for moody images. I agree with Les about Eldorado, but go there if we have snow for stream and canyon pics. Also, the James Crain prairie and Doudy Draw trails offer a great perspective. Last, visit osmp.org to see maps, images and get some more ideas.
Have a great time
Posted by Rick Dunn on November 3, 2006 at 8:52 AM
Hey Brett,
check out Michael Deleon's site: http://www.michaeldeleonphoto.com/coloradoareas.htm for some ideas of what the suggested areas look like. I agree - Chautauqua would be and easy and great location; a little further south, Eldorado Canyon; and a little further south yet, Boulder Open Space at the Flatirons Mesa Trail and Doudy Draw. Most of the images in the collage here were taken near or at the Flatirons Mesa Trail.
Chautaqua is in Boulder, Eldorado is a 10 minute drive, and Boudler Open Space is a 15 minute drive (on Hwy 93, just south of the Hwy 93 & Hwy 128 itersection).
Posted by Brett Grossman on November 4, 2006 at 12:57 AM
Wow, thanks this is awesome. The pointers are really appreciated.
All my visits to the Rockies result in way too many areas of photo opportunities, and never enough time. I really do appreciate your pointers to these areas. And man, they are only 15 min or so from where I'm staying? This is unreal. I was toying with playing hookey from work for a day of shooting while out there, I think I feel a future cold coming on...
Discussion
6 repliesI am dropping in from the Pacific Northwest forum because I have a work trip heading over to Boulder and was looking for some tips on potential shooting locations.
My trip is the last week of Nov, and it is for my day job, so my ability to venture too far from Boulder is limited. I have some really good buddies that are photographers who live in/know the area real well (i.e. 'guides'). However, I thought pinging the collective knowledge here would really be beneficial too. It is such a teriffic area, It'd be great to venture into an area the locals really enjoy.
I saw the great map you folks have put together on this forum and will definitely take advantage of that if I can. Thanks in advance for any of your thoughts.
Best regards,
-Brett
The Boulder Mountain Park and Open Space system is a good visit; Chatauqua and the trail system going down to Mesa Trailhead provide access to many canyons that might be of interest.
For large mule deer, park in the NCAR parking lot and walk down the road - you will have seen whether big bucks are on the road when you drove up. From there, hike on the path behind NCAR into the mid-section of the Flatirons and access trails in 3 directions. There is a ranger station at Chautaqua that can give you a map and some ideas. If we have crappy weather, you can shoot in the ponderosa forest above Chautaqua for moody images. I agree with Les about Eldorado, but go there if we have snow for stream and canyon pics. Also, the James Crain prairie and Doudy Draw trails offer a great perspective. Last, visit osmp.org to see maps, images and get some more ideas.
Have a great time
check out Michael Deleon's site: http://www.michaeldeleonphoto.com/coloradoareas.htm for some ideas of what the suggested areas look like. I agree - Chautauqua would be and easy and great location; a little further south, Eldorado Canyon; and a little further south yet, Boulder Open Space at the Flatirons Mesa Trail and Doudy Draw. Most of the images in the collage here were taken near or at the Flatirons Mesa Trail.
Chautaqua is in Boulder, Eldorado is a 10 minute drive, and Boudler Open Space is a 15 minute drive (on Hwy 93, just south of the Hwy 93 & Hwy 128 itersection).
All my visits to the Rockies result in way too many areas of photo opportunities, and never enough time. I really do appreciate your pointers to these areas. And man, they are only 15 min or so from where I'm staying? This is unreal. I was toying with playing hookey from work for a day of shooting while out there, I think I feel a future cold coming on...
Thanks again all for your generous feedback.
Best regards,
-Brett