Posted by Guy Schmickle on March 18, 2008 at 1:07 PM
That's what I've always imagined when I gaze upon both the Needles and Grenadier Ranges in the San Juans. I've been waiting for the right time all winter to shoot the Animas River valley overlook to the Grenadiers. Basically, I was looking for the right atmospheric conditions and waiting until I could actually make the trip to the overlook (the snow was way too deep all winter). While the latest storm was rather a bust in the San Juans on Sunday/Monday, it did provide the atmospherics I was looking for. That combined with a nice crusty top layer of snow (from all the melting and refreezing) signaled that it was time to hoof it out there. I sure was glad I did!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on March 18, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Here's another shot I took from the Molas Pass area. I believe this is Peak 3. They must've just gotten tired of naming all the peaks out here!!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on March 18, 2008 at 1:10 PM
And finally, this is a shot on my return from the overlook. I liked all the blue hues in the scene.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on March 18, 2008 at 1:14 PM
#2 is the one for me! Very nice Guy. I didn't know Switzerland tasted like my monitor!!
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 18, 2008 at 1:42 PM
I'd pick #2 as my fave, too, followed by #3. The texture of the snow on that distant peak is cool. Were these taken at the same time? I'm guessing they weren't, since #2 has snow in the trees and the others don't.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on March 18, 2008 at 1:55 PM
All are very nice Guy. My favorites are #1 and #3. In #3 the blue shadow tones really look nice with the golden light on the pine trees.
That is some view on #1. If I wanted to hike up that way this summer, is there a trail to follow? Would you mind me asking you how to get there?
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on March 18, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Guy.... 2nd one and third one are superb!! What a place....great exposures. Light on the third one is jsut amazing.... great composition I think finding the right composition hard when you are around trees here.... great job!! regards, Rajeev.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on March 18, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Todd, you are just too observant!! You busted me on that one. That was actually taken last week on an aborted trip to the overlook. My fiancee just got too tired and the clouds had dissipated over the Grenadiers so we turned around.
Laurie, this is along the Molas Pass section of the Colorado trail. To get to this particular trailhead, go to a parking area just south of Molas Lake (its on the east side of the road). You hike a short distance on the trail leading from the parking area before intersecting with the Colorado trail (there are signs...in the summer). You follow that to the overlook. The trail continues on down to the river valley and beyond (all the way to Denver) if you want even more exercise!!
Discussion
12 repliesThat is some view on #1. If I wanted to hike up that way this summer, is there a trail to follow? Would you mind me asking you how to get there?
Laurie, this is along the Molas Pass section of the Colorado trail. To get to this particular trailhead, go to a parking area just south of Molas Lake (its on the east side of the road). You hike a short distance on the trail leading from the parking area before intersecting with the Colorado trail (there are signs...in the summer). You follow that to the overlook. The trail continues on down to the river valley and beyond (all the way to Denver) if you want even more exercise!!
I'm digging #3 for sure, but wish it had some snow on the trees like #2. Good stuff regardless!