Opening week on Trail Ridge

I sacrificed a warm evening with family, the Nuggets game & beer last week so that I could finally get an evening shot up on Trail Ridge. The conditions were downright nasty on Memorial Day weekend up high with few breaks in the overcast conditions to get a good sunset.
So literally on my last night in town, I managed to score this one, after having suffered through a thundersnow storm, howling winds, and a marmot that would not stop pestering my gear.

Thanks for looking!
Canon 1DsMIII - 16-35mm f2.8L @f16, 1 second exposure, 1.2 reverse grad ND filter

The ONLY thing I don't like about this is the reverse grad effect. Seems like the snow in the distance goes too dark too quickly. I like everything else about it, though. Having been up there in similar conditions, this gives me a chill to the bone just looking at it, despite the sun.

I think the comp and the moment captured are excellent. The sunstar does add to the shot, also. I agree with Todd that a little more work on the darker part of the shot would make it even stronger.

What Morris said.
Also find the copyright to be a bit intrusive.
Still, I think your sacrifices were well worth the effort.

I really like the atmospheric conditions and the comp you chose. It really gives a feel for what it is like above timberline in the Rockies.

Sweet shot! I love the complex composition and also the color contrast, with the deep shadow blues and orange sky and tundra.

Not sure how I missed this. I like it a lot. I'm with Todd about the grad effect, but that should be easy to fix. I also wouldn't mind seeing the foreground lightened up just a bit. The comp is nice and so is the sunstar.

Nice comp and love the sunstar. Looks cold!