I'm going to be taking a trip to Colorado in mid-August and plan on doing some nature photography.
I am planning on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park though I would also be interested in other good photography spots not too far away from the park (or the Denver area).
In addition,I have a few questions perhaps some of you might know the answers to:
1. Where is a good place to stay around RMNP? Estes Park seems nice... Any recommended places? Considering B&B, Hotel, or Cabin/Cottage. (For 2 people)
2. What are the good spots to shoot that time of year? Are there wildflower hotspots I should know about? Are the flowers even blooming that time of year?
3. Any other recommendations on locations to shoot (inc. time of day).
My girlfriend and I will be there during the week so we're hoping it won't be too crowded but I know mid-August is a popular time.
Hey Aaron, I really enjoyed looking at the images on your site. Especially "In an Instant," "The Spectrum" and "Steam" from the Jellystone gallery. Also, "Waiting to Fly" in the CA Coast gallery. Awesome stuff! But I gotta ask: Is Theo a friend of yours? For the sake of nature photographers and nature lovers everywhere, please smack him upside the head for us all. Unbelievable stupidity -- caught on camera no less!
As for RMNP, you'll want to spend a lot of time on the trails that take you above treeline, since beetle-killed trees are really showing their ugliness at lower elevations. Hikes into Glacier Gorge, Loch Vale, the Fern Lake/Odessa Lake area, Chasm Lake and/or Chasm View, even Dream Lake area, are great for sunrise or overcast conditions. Might be a bit late for flowers, but they're not required for getting good stuff in the park.
You absolutely need to stop at Erik Stensland's gallery in Estes ("Images of RMNP). He knows his way around the place better than anyone else who would attempt to answer your questions here. Estes is a very quaint little town to stay in, although even during the week it'll be overflowing with visitors. That's okay. Usually, as soon as you get a half mile from most trailheads in the park, you'll feel like you're alone.
Aaron, I can maybe answer at least a couple of your questions. Mid-August is a bit of an "in-between" season in RMNP. You'll probably be well past the peak wildflower season (although you might be lucky to spot a few lingering blooms if you visit along the road to Bear Lake or in Wild Basin) and you'll be there before the autumn aspen turn. This doesn't mean there aren't plenty of places to check out. The trail to Bear Lake/Dream Lake/Emerald Lake is a photogenic, and popular, route. Dream and Emerald are best at sunrise, Bear could be good at sunrise or set. Moraine Park is photogenic at sunrise and worth checking out. There are several overlooks of Longs Peak and the valleys above Beaver Meadows area that are good in late morning and early afternoon, just follow Hwy 36. Trail Ridge Road is a spectacular drive and I personally prefer it at sunset (especially the Gore Range and Rock Cut pullouts). If you like waterfalls check out Wild Basin and hike to Ouzel Falls.
Lodging shouldn't be a problem in Estes. You'll have everything to choose from from hotels to B&Bs. I recommend any of the places along Fall River/Hwy 34 between town and RNMP.
Some other locations you might check out in the Denver area include Indian Peaks Wilderness (lots of photogenic hikes to lakes to choose from, Lake Isabelle or Long Lake perhaps being the most popular), Red Rocks park west of Denver and Roxborough State Park south of the city. I would recommend sunrise for all those locations (morning for Roxborough since it usually opens a bit later).
Places to say---check out the YMCA of the Rockies, it is a GREAT place and I have stayed there many times when I was younger before I lived here, and I have always referred people to there since and everyone loves it. It is absolutely wonderful and the prices are some of the best for the season which you will be here. They have Cabins, Lodges, everything...quite the place and the entrance to RMNP is right down the road. Also, exploring the grounds is wonderful with many photo-ops unto itself, and you can get some amazing shots from the main deck of the welcome center...especially at dawn and dusk, so get the coffee and kick back and shoot away! Here is a link http://www.ymcarockies.org/
I've got to agree with what Todd said about Theo. He should have his fingers amputated at about shoulder level for that act of selfishness. Really enjoyed your other photos though. I would strongly urge you to take Theo off your website to discourage impressionable copycats, unless of course you had a second photo of him being issued a ticket by a park ranger for defacing the park and place that right next to it.
As for RMNP, you've already gotten some good info. Eric Stensland in Estes Park though is THE MAN when it comes to knowing RMNP, upside down and sideways. Check his website. Hope you have a great trip!
Thank you all for the tips. They will definitely come in handy. I'm really looking forward to my time in Colorado; it has been too long since I last visited this beautiful state.
Ah yes, the Infamous Theo! The guy in the picture is NOT Theo, he is my friend Adam. We were exploring the salt flats in Badwater and came upon the writings of the infamous Theo. My friend reached down to look at the salt crystals and I saw this shot and snapped a keeper. I certainly understand why you think he might be Theo but I can assure that Theo remains at-large (and infamous). I am hear by offering a Nikon D3x reward for his capture, preferably alive and with fingers intact. I've heard he is hiding in a cave near Telescope Peak.
Aaron you have received wonderful advice so far. A few additional thoughts for you to consider: Boulder, including Chattaqua and the Flat Irons; downtown Denver has interesting cityscapes, including the Capitol and the Art Museum; Roxborough State Park opens at daybreak on certain days for photographers so check their website for the date(s) in August. Have fun planning your trip.
Discussion
6 repliesI'm going to be taking a trip to Colorado in mid-August and plan on doing some nature photography.
I am planning on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park though I would also be interested in other good photography spots not too far away from the park (or the Denver area).
In addition,I have a few questions perhaps some of you might know the answers to:
1. Where is a good place to stay around RMNP? Estes Park seems nice... Any recommended places? Considering B&B, Hotel, or Cabin/Cottage. (For 2 people)
2. What are the good spots to shoot that time of year? Are there wildflower hotspots I should know about? Are the flowers even blooming that time of year?
3. Any other recommendations on locations to shoot (inc. time of day).
My girlfriend and I will be there during the week so we're hoping it won't be too crowded but I know mid-August is a popular time.
Thanks so much!
Aaron Burdick
<a href="http://www.aaronburdick.com>www.aaronburdick.com</a>
As for RMNP, you'll want to spend a lot of time on the trails that take you above treeline, since beetle-killed trees are really showing their ugliness at lower elevations. Hikes into Glacier Gorge, Loch Vale, the Fern Lake/Odessa Lake area, Chasm Lake and/or Chasm View, even Dream Lake area, are great for sunrise or overcast conditions. Might be a bit late for flowers, but they're not required for getting good stuff in the park.
You absolutely need to stop at Erik Stensland's gallery in Estes ("Images of RMNP). He knows his way around the place better than anyone else who would attempt to answer your questions here. Estes is a very quaint little town to stay in, although even during the week it'll be overflowing with visitors. That's okay. Usually, as soon as you get a half mile from most trailheads in the park, you'll feel like you're alone.
Lodging shouldn't be a problem in Estes. You'll have everything to choose from from hotels to B&Bs. I recommend any of the places along Fall River/Hwy 34 between town and RNMP.
Some other locations you might check out in the Denver area include Indian Peaks Wilderness (lots of photogenic hikes to lakes to choose from, Lake Isabelle or Long Lake perhaps being the most popular), Red Rocks park west of Denver and Roxborough State Park south of the city. I would recommend sunrise for all those locations (morning for Roxborough since it usually opens a bit later).
http://www.ymcarockies.org/
As for RMNP, you've already gotten some good info. Eric Stensland in Estes Park though is THE MAN when it comes to knowing RMNP, upside down and sideways. Check his website. Hope you have a great trip!
Ah yes, the Infamous Theo! The guy in the picture is NOT Theo, he is my friend Adam. We were exploring the salt flats in Badwater and came upon the writings of the infamous Theo. My friend reached down to look at the salt crystals and I saw this shot and snapped a keeper. I certainly understand why you think he might be Theo but I can assure that Theo remains at-large (and infamous). I am hear by offering a Nikon D3x reward for his capture, preferably alive and with fingers intact. I've heard he is hiding in a cave near Telescope Peak.
Bill Brennan