I was up at Lake Isabelle yesterday morning for sunrise. Unfortunately it was windy with clouds only to the east. 'But' it was still an incredible morning with the waterfalls/cascades and wildflowers kickin' into gear.
I am terrible with identifying flower names. But there seemed to be a lot of white daisy types, and several kings of purple flowers next to the streams and falls, also bluebells along the shoreline. There were others as well. I wouldn't call it peak yet as the snow is just melting off in spots. Some are still small. But there is a lot of color popping up. So the next couple of weeks should be getting even better.
Nice shot, Derek. The intimate falls/flower shots in your portfolio are pretty swee, too.
I love Lake Isabelle. I don't care for the crowds, but, like Todd said, it's a gorgeous setting and one of the few places where I can motivate myself to deal with lots of people so that I can shoot up there.
Nice shots Derek. I am heading up to Brainard tomorrow afternoon for an overnight then an ealy am hike to Isabelle then RMNP on Saturday. Was it very crowded?
John
It was a fun time. I took my 'just turned six' y/o son Luke up the night before. We car camped outside the pay area. Then we woke up at 3:30AM and I got him on the trail by 4:00 AM.
Regarding the crouds it was great! We had the early morning hike and lake to ourselves. There were *no* crouds to speak of until we were on our way out. It seems like the vast majority of visitors and even locals are not really into to morning light.
I find same thing to be true of RMNP. If I am the first one up and on location (unless Eric or Tony are on the trail ) and one of the first back down the crouds are a non issue for me. I just kind of laugh as I see people scrambling for parking at 11:00 AM as I am leaving.
Steve, I have been very happy with Zenfolio. I am currently using it as my photo sharing site for friends and family. I also use it for off-site backup and storage. For $40/yr and unlimited storage it is hard to beat. They are planning on offering a 'Pro' version eventually. But I also have my own photography website which I intend to use 'eventually' for more of a portfolio site once I take the time to get the few remaining bugs out. I just don't really like to program after work, since that is what I do all day.
Nice stuff Derek! I was just up there last Saturday and had a nice morning of hiking and shooting. I could not believe the crowds as I was hiking back down around 10am, and the parking lot and road around Brainard were a complete zoo!! But as you said, there was hardly anyone on the trail at 4:30am - just a few climbers.
Posted by Doug Andrews on July 5, 2007 at 12:22 PM
SUHWEET. I know where I'm gonna be next Wednesday morning.
I was just up this morning and I had the same experience as Derek. A lot of the lower part of the trail was covered in about a quarter inch of pea-sized hail, which I though was a little odd. The outflow creeks from the lake are going to be really nice in the next couple of weeks -- lots of plants in really nice shape. It looked like the bluebells were starting to get going, and like Derek said -- lots of whites and some yellows. I also saw some really tall paintbrush about to bloom. I was also without clouds, but there was not a breath of wind at the lake and it was like glass. I was the only person up there for 3 1/2 hours, on the way down I must have passed 30+ people -- it was nuts. Anyway, the next couple weeks should be great up there, if only I wasn't going to the UK
I was up in Brainard last night and the crowds were surprisingly light for a holiday - even if it was a midweek holiday. Of course, since I was shooting sunset, the day crowd had already vacated. Campground was by no means full, though there was a crowd at one area having a massive party.
Brainard is much more relaxed on weekdays, so I don't expect you'll have any problems, John.
BTW, there are currently a zillion yellow pond lilies blooming on Red Rocks Lake, so take a short detour - beware the bloodsuckers, though, both above and below the waterline.
Nice collection, Derek. I was up there last Sunday and just shot sunrise at Long Lake. When there are clouds to the east and no reflection, I've though about trying to shoot the sun coming up looking back over the Lake Isabelle outlet. Last summer I managed to get the reflection shot with clouds: http://www.landscapetony.smugmug.com/gallery/1683400#82618946.
I hiked up to Lake Helene for sunrise yesterday morning, and saw no one at all until about the Flattop junction on the way back - and then I must have passed about 50 people on the way down to Bear Lake.
I love that first shot with the morning light, pink clouds and reflection. That is a classic shot which really showcases the beauty of Lake Isabelle and the type of thing I am after. It also looks like you were there during peak wildflower season as well. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks we will see an even better display flowers. I will definitely be back to check it out.
Discussion
13 repliesI am terrible with identifying flower names. But there seemed to be a lot of white daisy types, and several kings of purple flowers next to the streams and falls, also bluebells along the shoreline. There were others as well. I wouldn't call it peak yet as the snow is just melting off in spots. Some are still small. But there is a lot of color popping up. So the next couple of weeks should be getting even better.
You can view the images here:
http://derek.zenfolio.com/p474579087
I love Lake Isabelle. I don't care for the crowds, but, like Todd said, it's a gorgeous setting and one of the few places where I can motivate myself to deal with lots of people so that I can shoot up there.
John
It was a fun time. I took my 'just turned six' y/o son Luke up the night before. We car camped outside the pay area. Then we woke up at 3:30AM and I got him on the trail by 4:00 AM.
Regarding the crouds it was great! We had the early morning hike and lake to ourselves. There were *no* crouds to speak of until we were on our way out. It seems like the vast majority of visitors and even locals are not really into to morning light.
I find same thing to be true of RMNP. If I am the first one up and on location (unless Eric or Tony are on the trail
Steve, I have been very happy with Zenfolio. I am currently using it as my photo sharing site for friends and family. I also use it for off-site backup and storage. For $40/yr and unlimited storage it is hard to beat. They are planning on offering a 'Pro' version eventually. But I also have my own photography website which I intend to use 'eventually' for more of a portfolio site once I take the time to get the few remaining bugs out. I just don't really like to program after work, since that is what I do all day.
Brainard is much more relaxed on weekdays, so I don't expect you'll have any problems, John.
I hiked up to Lake Helene for sunrise yesterday morning, and saw no one at all until about the Flattop junction on the way back - and then I must have passed about 50 people on the way down to Bear Lake.
I love that first shot with the morning light, pink clouds and reflection. That is a classic shot which really showcases the beauty of Lake Isabelle and the type of thing I am after. It also looks like you were there during peak wildflower season as well. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks we will see an even better display flowers. I will definitely be back to check it out.
Thanks for posting.
- Derek