Posted by Guy Schmickle on June 13, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Made the trek out to the northern reaches of the San Juans this last week. My grand plan of spending 5 days or more in the Telluride/Ridgway area this spring got scaled back to just two days due to a busy schedule, but two days are better than none! My first day in Telluride was a soggy one (as has been the weather pattern for weeks in the San Juans), so I concentrated on shooting waterfalls and more intimate stuff. Speaking of waterfalls, Mystic Falls (shown above) along the San Miguel's Lake Fork is my new favorite in the San Juan range. It was sensory overload down in the deep, narrow gorge it carves out...not only visually, but audibly as well. The thundering falls coupled with echoes from the thundering sky made for a very cool (and wet) experience.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on June 13, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Here's one of the few landscapes I took in the Telluride area. It's looking back down the Bear Creek drainage towards the town.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on June 13, 2009 at 11:04 AM
The weather finally started to break when I made my way towards Ridgway and the Sneffels Range. This image above is nothing new compositionally for all who shoot this area in autumn along CR 5. Just substitute spring green for autumn gold!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on June 13, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Finally, I found a nice field of lupines to adorn the Sneffels Range. I don't like what resizing has done to this, but here it is anyway. This was simply cropped to panoramic format.
That's the best shot I've seen of those falls. I'll have to visit in the spring someday, cause there wasn't nearly so much water when I was there. I also like #3.
I really like #'s 1, 3 & 4!
You really took great advantage of your two days. This has been a wet and stormy June around here.
Is Mystic Falls aka Lake Fork Falls that's in our waterfalls guide?
John - yep...Mystic Falls is the same as the Lower Lake Fork Falls they refer to in the book. The upper falls are impressive as well (although not quite to the extent of the lower), but they are on private property. One of these days, I'll have to see if I can make it to those by trekking up the river.
Those are all just sick they are so good! That falls shot is excellent!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on June 13, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Todd...I scampered down from above. When I encountered the trail near river level, I was curious where it went, but it looked like it led to private property downstream. The view from above really gives you a case of vertigo. Not liking heights all that much, I was very nervous shooting along the edge! Here's a quick snap of what it looked like from the top. It was pretty much the best view I found without the use of rappelling gear!
Posted by Dan Walters on June 13, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Great images! Really like the waterfall in the first image.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on June 14, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Nice stuff! I really like the falls shot, but #4 is my favorite. I never tire of Lupine shots.
Discussion
20 repliesYou really took great advantage of your two days. This has been a wet and stormy June around here.
Is Mystic Falls aka Lake Fork Falls that's in our waterfalls guide?
John - yep...Mystic Falls is the same as the Lower Lake Fork Falls they refer to in the book. The upper falls are impressive as well (although not quite to the extent of the lower), but they are on private property. One of these days, I'll have to see if I can make it to those by trekking up the river.
Jack