RMNP crowded

Thought I'd sneak up to RMNP tonight for sunset. I was met by the largest crowd of tourists I've ever seen! I couldn't find a place to park so I drove up to trail ridge road. I grabbed this shot before it started snowing on me. It was mighty cold up there! The light just kinda fizzled out before the colors hit, oh well. Probably try to head up next weekend to see the aspens since only a few were changing this weekend.

Im dissapointed--i was expecting pics of the hordes of tourists
pretty shot of Longs and the range though!

I was up there yesterday for a very early morning hike. By the time I got back to the Bear Lake trail head around 10:30, the parking lot was full. And that was on a Monday! Ugh. I like this shot Charles, but it could use some sharpening.

That is why I stay out of RMNP this time of year. Nice shot though.

I'm leaving home at 4:30 tomorrow morning for sunrise at Bear Lake and then stay until evening. I have room for one more in my car if anyone else wants to come along from the Highlands Ranch area.

If anyone else is there, I'll be the one with the bright red backpack in your photos!

Noce light and color in the tundra, Charles. The comp works well also with your positioning of Longs.

Thanks, all. I will be sharpening this one for sure. I saw a lot of changing leaves, but next weekend seems like the majority of the leaves will be changing over. Good luck dealing with the crowds. Even though the crowds were bad it looked like the paving is finished on trail ridge. I saw minimal equipment and all smooth roads.

RMNP is what it is...crowded with tourism. The local business folk depend on this time of year to live the life they have dreamed about all their lives. That will never change. In fact, it will get more crowded and then some...Bear Lake, Dream Lake, Mills Lake, Chasm Lake...any lake that's accessed by a parking lot that can house 150-300 cars...the list goes on...always expect company during the golden hr, especially from a place that is accessed by a 3-ft trail or a paved road. I would recommend Google Earthing The Park and locating "off the beaten path" places that require a little work to attain. You are young, strong, and highly motivated, so go for it! There's a lot of crazy beautiful comp available within 3 miles of those crowded TH's.

Nice comp and light. Like the color of the tundra as well.

While the rut is on, I think RMNP is going to be hell on the weekends, especially at sunset. We were there on Sunday just for hiking and getting out of the park was a nightmare.

- Dan.