One of my New Years resolutions this year was to devote more time to photography away from home, and other than spring and fall vacations. I've already taken a short trip to southern Utah to visit some old ruins, and now want to get into the high country for some wildflowers.
I'd like to go to Crested Butte since it's a relatively short trip from Colorado Springs (and I've never been there). A friend mentioned the Wildflower Festival in Crested Butte in July, but wonder if I'd spend more time wading through thousands of other people.
So...a couple of questions... Is the timing of the Wildflower Festival ideal for photography? Is it best to attend or avoid the Festival? And finally, any suggestions on accommodations there?
Thanks!
The Festival is just that - a festival. It's timed well with the wildflowers, but depending on what and where you plan to photograph in the area, you can go a week earlier (lupine and other flowers in the areas around town) or up to a couple of weeks later (higher country above Gothic, etc.).
Last year I went to CB during the closing weekend of the festival and during the middle of the following week. I wouldn't say that you'll end up
wading through "thousands" of people on the trails outside of town, but there will be more people there than CB normally sees during the
rest of the summer. Your biggest challenge will be dodging the other photography workshops. However, I hiked into Rustler Gulch without seeing a ridiculous number of other hikers, photographed sunrises along Slate River Road and the Paradise Divide in relative solitude and saw a few other photographers near Lake Irwin but it was nothing like Maroon Lake in late September. Be aware there can be a large amount of traffic on Gothic Road and Schofield Pass though. During the festival I stayed in a chain hotel in Gunnison due to lack of vacancies. My favorite place to stay in CB is the Elk Mountain Lodge a historic bed and breakfast when I can get a room (they are likely booked for the festival already). The flowers are good at festival time, but you can still see plenty of them for a couple of weeks after too. Check out my Web site link below to see some of the shots I took there.
I usually stay in Gunnison, rather than CB, since the prices are much lower and it only takes 30 minutes to get into town. I'm pretty impressed with the Quality Inn, 400 Tomichi Rd. I try to avoid the festival for just the reason you surmise - generally arriving the week after, or so.
This will be my 4th year at the festival and i've always found comfortable accomodations (very basic) at the Created Butte Hostel. Don't freak out when I say "hostel"- it's got plenty of adults and even some families. Plus it has a laundramat (sp?) next door. Besides, you won't be in it very long. it's right at the base of Mt. Crested Butte just outside of the "downtown" area and on the free shuttle route. check it out at www.crestedbuttehostel.com.
As far as "thousands" of people, that will not be the case. I fully agree with Josh in that your biggest challenge will be avoiding the photo workshop groups (or if you wanna take one, go to www.crestedbuttechamber.com). in 4 years, i've managed to avoid all of these and just go where they aren't. there are so many opportunities for photogenic scenes in that area it is pretty easy to avoid the crowd.
When I attended the festival last year the wildflowers were not fully bloomed yet so i was a bit disappointed. However, in the other 2 years the festival coincided well with the bloom. It's hard for the festival committee to time that a year in advance!
If you are looking for reference material, I just bought "The Roads of Colorado" atlas by William H. Burdett. It's got all the dirt roads and old mines that a regular topo doesn't. I also use John Fielder's "Best of Colorado" book as well as Pam and David Irwin's "Wildflower Hikes of Colorado".
Thanks everyone for the responses!
I wasn't sure how many people actually show up there, so my reference to "thousands" of people. I guess from my point of view, it's good that that many don't show up, although the local Chamber may disagree.
We're now looking at the following week. Thanks also, for the accommodations suggestions.
Because of the lack of snow this winter, and the drouth conditions this last month, I would
look toward going a few days before the 9th start date of the festival. We have a dichotamy
here in Grand Junction. The desert areas have had real nice flowers, but the top of Grand
Mesa looks pretty dry. I expect the "pretty dry" to hold for the Crested Butte area. June
traditionally has the least precipitation of any month.
Here in Cested Butte, we have been getting afternoon and occassionally morning rainshowers almost everyday since the middle of May. It's more normal to have some kind of daily moisture than none. Just a few minutes ago, it was snowing lightly. It just shows how big the difference can be in precipitation across Colorado.
There isn't a whole lot happening with the wildflowers right now. The Glacier Lily's are blooming high up and a few other yellow and white ones (Probably Butter & Egg's,Yellow Clover, Northern Bedstraw and Phlox. I'm really bad at identifying these two colors). I have also seen a little Dusty Paintbrush and of course a few things I can't name.
You can find information on all the clinics during the Wildflower Festival at www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com .
I've been a little shy about blowing my own horn: I won the CB Wildflower poster contest. The organization also bought a sceond image from me to use on a ceramic tile.
Discussion
9 repliesI'd like to go to Crested Butte since it's a relatively short trip from Colorado Springs (and I've never been there). A friend mentioned the Wildflower Festival in Crested Butte in July, but wonder if I'd spend more time wading through thousands of other people.
So...a couple of questions... Is the timing of the Wildflower Festival ideal for photography? Is it best to attend or avoid the Festival? And finally, any suggestions on accommodations there?
Thanks!
wading through "thousands" of people on the trails outside of town, but there will be more people there than CB normally sees during the
rest of the summer. Your biggest challenge will be dodging the other photography workshops. However, I hiked into Rustler Gulch without seeing a ridiculous number of other hikers, photographed sunrises along Slate River Road and the Paradise Divide in relative solitude and saw a few other photographers near Lake Irwin but it was nothing like Maroon Lake in late September. Be aware there can be a large amount of traffic on Gothic Road and Schofield Pass though. During the festival I stayed in a chain hotel in Gunnison due to lack of vacancies. My favorite place to stay in CB is the Elk Mountain Lodge a historic bed and breakfast when I can get a room (they are likely booked for the festival already). The flowers are good at festival time, but you can still see plenty of them for a couple of weeks after too. Check out my Web site link below to see some of the shots I took there.
Ken
As far as "thousands" of people, that will not be the case. I fully agree with Josh in that your biggest challenge will be avoiding the photo workshop groups (or if you wanna take one, go to www.crestedbuttechamber.com). in 4 years, i've managed to avoid all of these and just go where they aren't. there are so many opportunities for photogenic scenes in that area it is pretty easy to avoid the crowd.
When I attended the festival last year the wildflowers were not fully bloomed yet so i was a bit disappointed. However, in the other 2 years the festival coincided well with the bloom. It's hard for the festival committee to time that a year in advance!
If you are looking for reference material, I just bought "The Roads of Colorado" atlas by William H. Burdett. It's got all the dirt roads and old mines that a regular topo doesn't. I also use John Fielder's "Best of Colorado" book as well as Pam and David Irwin's "Wildflower Hikes of Colorado".
Good luck and happy hunting!!
I wasn't sure how many people actually show up there, so my reference to "thousands" of people. I guess from my point of view, it's good that that many don't show up, although the local Chamber may disagree.
We're now looking at the following week. Thanks also, for the accommodations suggestions.
look toward going a few days before the 9th start date of the festival. We have a dichotamy
here in Grand Junction. The desert areas have had real nice flowers, but the top of Grand
Mesa looks pretty dry. I expect the "pretty dry" to hold for the Crested Butte area. June
traditionally has the least precipitation of any month.
Art L.
There isn't a whole lot happening with the wildflowers right now. The Glacier Lily's are blooming high up and a few other yellow and white ones (Probably Butter & Egg's,Yellow Clover, Northern Bedstraw and Phlox. I'm really bad at identifying these two colors). I have also seen a little Dusty Paintbrush and of course a few things I can't name.
You can find information on all the clinics during the Wildflower Festival at www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com .
I've been a little shy about blowing my own horn: I won the CB Wildflower poster contest. The organization also bought a sceond image from me to use on a ceramic tile.
Thank you for the inside update and info on CB.
Congrats on the wildflower poster contest.