Posted by Erik Aagaard on July 26, 2010 at 12:38 AM
My family and I just got back from an incredible week in Colorado. We focused on hiking and photographing around Montrose / Ouray / Silverton. Here are some from our hike to Lower Blue Lake this past Wednesday. Low clouds and rain drifted over us throughout the hike, making for great wildflower photographing conditions. My wife summed it up by saying it was the most beautiful surroundings she'd ever hiked through. We only saw seven or eight other people, although the inclement weather could have had something to do with that. Once we got to the Lower Lake, the heavens opened in earnest and we slipped and slided all the way back to the trailhead.
Here is an flower shot just before the lake:
Posted by Erik Aagaard on July 26, 2010 at 12:39 AM
Here's a shot of the lake itself. I thought the raincoat contrasted nicely with the blue water.
Posted by Erik Aagaard on July 26, 2010 at 12:40 AM
Low-hanging clouds...
Posted by Erik Aagaard on July 26, 2010 at 12:43 AM
Thanks for sharing your trip. That's how I remember Blue Lake from my last trip with the family. Once we finished lunch, the skies opened with one of the most intense rains that I have experienced on a hike. When we got back to the car, I was dumping water out of my camera pack. I hadn't stopped to cover it with the rain fly, not realizing how much water was getting into the pack!
I suppose with the clouds, you didn't make it to the pass? The view of the lake from above in stunning. I also rank it as one of the best hikes in the Rockies.
I really like the flower portrait and the shot of your wife contemplating the beauty.
Posted by Erik Aagaard on July 26, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Thanks, guys. No, we didn't make it any further than the Lower Lake. After admiring other recent posts from above the lake, it's definitely on the list to do again.
John, that's actually our 10-year-old daughter in the raincoat. Another reason we didn't push further - she's a real trooper, but by that point had probably had enough.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on July 26, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Love the low hanging clouds....think #3 is my favorite shot of the group, but all are very nice.
Nice set--#1 is gorgeous and i agree about the cool contrast in #2.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on July 26, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Erik, The angles and colors of the reflection in #2 are real nice. The trailhead parking lot Sunday a week ago was packed; hopefully your venture was not too congested
Discussion
15 repliesHere is an flower shot just before the lake:
Thanks for sharing your trip. That's how I remember Blue Lake from my last trip with the family. Once we finished lunch, the skies opened with one of the most intense rains that I have experienced on a hike. When we got back to the car, I was dumping water out of my camera pack. I hadn't stopped to cover it with the rain fly, not realizing how much water was getting into the pack!
I suppose with the clouds, you didn't make it to the pass? The view of the lake from above in stunning. I also rank it as one of the best hikes in the Rockies.
John, that's actually our 10-year-old daughter in the raincoat. Another reason we didn't push further - she's a real trooper, but by that point had probably had enough.