While hiking along an unmarked, rarely used trail on Pikes Peak, I spied another even more rarely used trail. After hiking it a while, I came upon an area with great views of the peak. I went back up there yesterday, this time getting an earlier start and hauling my gear with me. I was at the toll booth when it opened and at this spot by 8am.
Another photo from a little further down the trail. I tried it with the focus being on the flowers, or on the peak or with enough DOF to keep them both in focus.
Clouds started to provide an unwanted backdrop to the peak as a front moved in, so this is one of the last I got yesterday.
Glad you were able to find the 'path less traveled' in such a popular area. It really paid off for you here
You found a great way to frame Pike's Peak.
Any chance of getting in at sunrise?
I like the slightly out of focus mountain you got with the second image, but if optimum DOF was needed, this image would have been a great candidate for combining two images with different focal points for optimal sharpness.
I would like to have seen a composition where the middle flower was a bit lower (about where the left and right flowers are placed) and more of the flowers at the bottom of the frame were included.
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Thanks John, and thanks for the suggestions. I actually do have a series of photos where the only change was the focus point. I'll have to see if I can merge them.
As for sunrise, the highway doesn't open until long after sunrise, and there is no camping. My best shot would be in the winter, but then again, the road also opens later. I have a better chance for a sunset photo, since the out gate doesn't close until 8pm, but that's going to be a little tight.
I am looking forward to shooting from this area in the winter when there is plenty of snow.
What I need is an "in" with the highway folks so I can get there early and/of leave late!
Hey Bob, this is one of the most unique angles on my favorite (and my most-photographed) mountain I've seen! As for camping, couldn't you do it if someone dropped you at the TH and picked you up the next day? They just don't allow cars to park along the road, but you can certainly camp on the mountain, since it's part of the Pike Natl. Forest..
Posted by Bob Falcone on July 21, 2009 at 10:06 PM
John, I went back and looked at the photos I took, and I do have one with more foreground. Unfortunately, the clouds pretty much ruined the background...
Posted by Bob Falcone on July 21, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Thanks Todd...
I imagine that could be done. I'll have to check and see what the rules are.
I'm with the others here that this angle of view has a lot of potential, but it needs a earlier time of day. I look forward to seeing your next ones in the series.
Discussion
10 repliesClouds started to provide an unwanted backdrop to the peak as a front moved in, so this is one of the last I got yesterday.
You found a great way to frame Pike's Peak.
Any chance of getting in at sunrise?
I like the slightly out of focus mountain you got with the second image, but if optimum DOF was needed, this image would have been a great candidate for combining two images with different focal points for optimal sharpness.
I would like to have seen a composition where the middle flower was a bit lower (about where the left and right flowers are placed) and more of the flowers at the bottom of the frame were included.
.
As for sunrise, the highway doesn't open until long after sunrise, and there is no camping. My best shot would be in the winter, but then again, the road also opens later. I have a better chance for a sunset photo, since the out gate doesn't close until 8pm, but that's going to be a little tight.
I am looking forward to shooting from this area in the winter when there is plenty of snow.
What I need is an "in" with the highway folks so I can get there early and/of leave late!
I imagine that could be done. I'll have to check and see what the rules are.
A fine reason to return to this magical little place, Bob.
Very nice place you have found here Bob.
I'm with the others here that this angle of view has a lot of potential, but it needs a earlier time of day. I look forward to seeing your next ones in the series.