Bells Question

Todd's images of the Bells have inspired me to finally get out there and try my hand at those icons. Since I've not been there before I was hoping for some advice.

1) Do most head to Vail or Aspen, car camp, and then head to the Bells for sunrise?

2) Is it possible (not pleasant, but possible) to leave Denver at o'dark thirty at make it there before sunrise?

3) I'm all for thinking outside the box, but as a newby I'd be more than happy with the classic look of the Bells + reflection. Once getting to the trailhead is the hike/walk in fairly straight forward?

4) How about finding the location on the lake shore?

Thanks for all the help.

Alex

Alex, here are my thoughts:

1) Aspen is where you'll want to be; Vail is a long ways away. I believe you can sleep in your car in the overflow parking lot below the main one; at least that's what we did a couple of autumns ago. I'm sure someone will mention if it's still allowed.

2) Very unpleasant. That would be a ~4-hr drive, though only 2-1/2 if you drive like Todd.

3) It's literally a 1-minute walk from the parking lot.

4) Couldn't miss it if you tried; the trail leads you directly to the shore.

I once tried leaving early enough from RMNP. Ended up hitting a deer. Definitely wasn't a bright thing for me to do.

Here's some advice: dont get your heart set on any particular plan, be flexible and prepared to shoot something else. There's plenty of time to shoot the Bells, they'll be there along with 100,000 photogrpahers all through the summer and Fall. I made my first trip to the Bells when i just moved here from CA, just had to see/shoot the icon, so i can relate. When I got there, the lakeshore was mobbed with photographers waiting for sunrise. It was obvious the wind wasn't about to die, and there wouldnt be any decent reflections, so i hiked the extra mile or so up the trail to Crater Lake, and i gaurantee you I got far better shots than the masses down at Maroon, more unique too since i was the only one at Crater. Everyone talks about thinking out of the box, surprising how few actually try it. IMO, dont be happy with the "classic look", unless you are just interested in being an average photographer.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions guys. I'm beginning to think that I'll need an extra day so that I can enjoy the area instead of knocking off one long and potentially unpleasant day.

Stan - Thanks for the advice on being flexible.

Cheers,
Alex

Yes, I concur with the others. Go the night before and car camp in the overflow lot. It just makes life so much easier when you wake up in the morning and you are 'On' location.

Also remember thinking outside the box can mean shooting an icon from a different perspective like at night or a different angle. One of my favorites of the Bells is this shot at night under a full moon by Daniel Bayer:
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1055515&size=lg

I recommend getting up there by sunset the day before just to scope things out a little bit. And although I haven't shot it at night 'yet' the sky is gorgeous and stars are really bright. So I really enjoy sleeping right there. I am going to force myself to get out there this year at night and shoot no matter how cold it feels. The wind can sometimes really blow!

Just bring a warm bag and winter clothes just in case. You never know when it will snow in the Rockies. Nights are normally cold even when car camping up there. But I have done it even with my kids last Fall and they loved it once the sun came out and they warmed up.
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/232691418_6ghqj-XL.jpg

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/232692540_HJZP2-XL.jpg

Derek,

Thanks for the thoughts. That 1st shot of your kids on the lakeshore is great.

For the record: That blue Bells shot was taken 25 minutes before sunrise and I had the place all to myself. On the subsequent shots I was mobbed by a total of two other photogs. Much different from fall shots, where you'll share the shoreline with 75-100 others.

It is *possible* to start out in the middle of the night to get there for sunrise; I've certainly done that enough. But it isn't pleasant.

There are certainly other compositions to be had of the Bells; if you go with an open mind, you won't be disappointed.

There are a number of car campgrounds open on Independence Pass during the summer. I'm not sure of their status right now, but they are there.

Namely Lost Man and Lincoln Creek.

Todd, I know what you mean.

I remember my first year up there for Fall colors lining up with 100s of photographers in the pre-sunrise dawn. Even then everyone was sitting around, checking there equipment, drinking coffee or just jumping up and down to stay warm. But no one was really taking pictures yet. It still looked beautiful to me so I snapped some off. After reviewing the results I wished I had actually started earlier.

I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but there are 2 or 3 campgrounds on Maroon Bells Road up to the lake...they're small...and you do need reservations. They'll give you a pass at the entrance station...oh, and yes there is a $10.00 fee after I believe 8 or 8:30am to get in, but as a photographer you'll have to be up so early that you won't have to pay. Go ahead and take the classic shot, but there are many views of the mountains as you hike around...also stay there a while...sometimes the lake becomes rough as the sun comes up but calms down at around 9 when the light can be really nice...I know, it's weird...9am?, but I've seen it happen a couple times there.

Also be aware that when the sun hits the Bells, you'll have 2-3 stops difference between FG and BG to manage. Wander around and make your own iconic image(s), hike up to Crater Lake, or Buckskin Pass, explore the Conundrum Creek area, spend a week ~ Good luck!

Dave - I just got a Singh-ray filter kit for my B-day so I'm looking for excuses to try it out. Thanks for the tip.