Posted by Jack Garrett on June 25, 2009 at 11:56 PM
I got up at midnight and drove to Westcliffe hoping for a couple nice wildflower shots. Turns out that Todd was down there and mowed them all down so I couldn't compete with his great shots...just kidding! Seriously though, I couldn't find any lupine, lots of paintbrush around. I'm looking through my batch to see if there is anything worth posting. It was a nice trip though..Westcliffe is a neat little town.
Jack
Posted by Bob Falcone on June 26, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Wow...that didn't last long!
Posted by Jack Garrett on June 26, 2009 at 11:32 AM
It could be that I was in the wrong area Bob. I went as far north as Verdemont Road and criss-crossed the whole area to just south ot town. Drove about 80 miles and only found one small area with just a few lupine. It looks like it could be a great place if the timing was right.
Jack
Posted by Bob Falcone on June 26, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I was up there a week ago today...I started out on Verdemont Road, and then looped around south to Pines Road. There were lots on Pines Road.
About 10 days prior to that I was on Hermit Road, west of town and there were plenty there, too.
My problem was that I was there during the right time of the year, but not the right time of day!
Posted by Joshua Hardin on June 26, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I took a trip to Westcliffe on Wednesday and Thursday. The flowers Bob and Todd photographed are still there. The field of blue ones isn't as expansive as you might imagine when looking at their images, but as they proved already it is extremely photogenic. As Bob mentioned they can be found at a particular location.
From Westcliffe, I also drove to Eleven Mile State Park where there are some fields of healthy paintbrush right now that aren't going to last very long if we get a few sunny days; drove over Wilkerson Pass (not a lot of flowers there, but a few patches beginning to come up on the eastern side of the pass); and to the Hayman burn area. The best area for flowers there, as Mel already described in a previous post, is probably along the ~5 mile stretch of road south from the Goose Creek TH at the higher elevations. I drove down from there last night in the big thunderstorm. Not exactly the most relaxing ride when it is pouring rain and you pass by countless signs that warn you to hike to higher ground in case of flash flood.
Posted by Jack Garrett on June 26, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Joshua, are you referring to yesterday? If so thats too bad..I coulda hooked up with you.
I believe I saw you Thur AM, Joshua! I was just up the road from where you were and drove by you while you were still out in the field. I did a loop but by the time I came around again you were gone. I took my time on the loop stopping about 4 other spots for some close ups.
That's funny Don. Looks like I just missed you too. I only remember one vehicle passing by on the road when I was out there, it must have been you. Did you find a good comp to take advantage of those beautiful clouds at sunrise toward the east?
I haven't even processed them yet, Joshua. I left from there to go kayaking and just got back tonight. The Arkansas is peaking for the 3rd time this year, very unusual, plus hit the Slaughterhouse section of the Roaring Fork today.
Discussion
9 repliesJack
Jack
About 10 days prior to that I was on Hermit Road, west of town and there were plenty there, too.
My problem was that I was there during the right time of the year, but not the right time of day!
From Westcliffe, I also drove to Eleven Mile State Park where there are some fields of healthy paintbrush right now that aren't going to last very long if we get a few sunny days; drove over Wilkerson Pass (not a lot of flowers there, but a few patches beginning to come up on the eastern side of the pass); and to the Hayman burn area. The best area for flowers there, as Mel already described in a previous post, is probably along the ~5 mile stretch of road south from the Goose Creek TH at the higher elevations. I drove down from there last night in the big thunderstorm. Not exactly the most relaxing ride when it is pouring rain and you pass by countless signs that warn you to hike to higher ground in case of flash flood.