Waldo Canyon series

I've been trying to get out every weekend, visiting local sites, hiking, building my strength for the summer backpacking season and looking for compositions as I walk. This time, it was Waldo Canyon that I hiked. I hike this trail every now and then, but I don't really enjoy it. Its hot, dry, dusty, loud with the noise of traffic and pop of the firing range above. On this day, I traveled it with hundreds of my fellow townspeople who left their trail manners at home, just like every other time I've been here. The "rules" of the trail that uphill has the right of way don't apply here. Here, the biggest group claims the right of way. I was actually pushed by a runner when I didn't get out of his way in the direction he anticipated. I can't wait until the summer thaw when the less traveled paths open again.

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Mel;

pushed by a runner? Amazing courtesy.... I am enjoying #3, as it carries you from foreground to to the top. Great use of the 16:9 on that. Are these Lumix shots??

Yes. I also carried my 4X5 with me, but never felt like making an image with it.

+1 on #3 with the FG transitions to rocks and then trees.

As for rules of the trail, I would suggest that most are not taught, or have forgotten them. That said, I definitely can not stand the talkative groups that have to hear their voices all the way up and down the trail. I do all I can to separate from them as soon as I can. But at times it is difficult when you have to hike slow due to children.

# 3 for me as well. Mel, I experienced the same lack of courtesy as well last Sunday. Then there was the idiot who was scaring off deer I was trying to photograph. As I was heading back down, I noticed about six mule deer off to my left. I raised my camera and was just getting them framed when they started scampering. This idiot a few yards ahead me noticed them also and started yelling and throwing rocks at them. He turned and saw me; I just glared at him and politely thanked him for being an a$$!

These were taken last Sunday as well. What a wonderful group of outdoorsmen we shared the trail with.

I hike there pretty frequently in the summer, but NEVER on a weekend. The trail(s) there are almost deserted on weekdays.
I've got some pretty nice wildflower photos that I shot up there a couple of seasons ago. If I can find them, I'll post them.

I like #3 and #4 the best. I love how everytime I'm up on Mt. Evans at sunset, and the wind lays completely down, and the light is getting great, the drunks show up in the parking lot and start their howling at the moon.

I avoid that trail, have hiked it once but never will again, I can't understand why so many people hike it when there are much better trails around.
In the weekends the parking area looks like a walmart, cars are everywhere.

Darren, the best part of Waldo Canyon (at least for hiking, and some photography) isn't even in the canyon itself. There is a cut-off trail (hardly visible) just before the trail drops down into the canyon that goes up to the west at a pretty steep angle. Once on top of the hill, a trail will take you north and west towards Green Mountain Falls and Rampart Range Road. Not many people go that way. I may have the GPS coordinates for the cut-off. If anyone is interested, e-mail me and I'll see if I can find them.

I like #3 myself. Sounds like there are alot of rude people out there!

I like the layers and texture in #3 the best.

The last time I hiked Waldo was in the mid-1980's. It didn't impress me as being terribly photogenic, although #3 is quite appealing, but did impress me with how hot and dry it is.

#3 is great. Nice comp and soft light.

Mel,

Nice series...I really like #1 and #3. Great hike, isn't it?