August Theme: From the Top

How boring would the art of nature photography be if we were forced to take photos only from our eye level? Fortunately, we have the freedom to create new perspectives by changing our elevation. Have you climbed to the summit of the tallest fourteener in a mountain range and witnessed a miraculous view that spans for miles and miles? Have you looked in awe down into a deep, cavernous canyon from the perch of a rim overlook? Do you request a window seat when flying on a plane so you can get a bird's eye view of the Earth from above? Have you ever climbed a tree or accessed the roof of a tall building to get the perfect shot of the world below? If you've captured any of these situations (or something like them) with a camera post your pictures here!

Here's just a sliver of the view from the summit of Mount Elbert (the highest peak in Colorado and the Rockies) near Leadville. This shot is looking toward La Plata Peak. Click Here for a larger view of around 270-degrees from the summit.

This is as close as you will ever see me to the edge...and it took me 20 mins to get there!

Just a few miles up the road from Jack hanging over the edge at Horseshoe Bend is Glen Canyon Dam.

Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point

Here's one of my favorite shots of sunrise from the summit, a shot taken on top of Mt. Wilson last summer.

Here's another favorite, sunrise from the summit of Snowmass Mountain last summer.

Oooo I like this theme!!! Awesome shots, Glenn - the sunrise on Mt. Wilson is impressive, considering that spicy climb to the top in the dawn!

Here's one from sunrise on the top of Wetterhorn Peak.

And another sunrise from atop Sneffels!

Another perspective of the San Juans....
View into Ice Lake Basin from above South Mineral Creek.

Labor Day 2005 had a LOT more snow than this year.

Canyonlands' White Rim

Great Sand Dunes: From the top of High Dune looking down to the saddle between the face of High Dune and an adjoining dune.

Sunset from 35,000 Feet Up

From the top of Webster Pass looking down onto Red Cone Peak and an intermediate ridge line.

This one is a few thousand miles out of the RMNP region, but is my favorite photo on the theme topic. Aerial photo of the Markaflojt River, Iceland.

Amazing thread already, with some burly sunrise summit efforts well-rewarded. This is Crestone Needle and Peak at sunrise from Humboldt Summit.

Here's one I posted a few months ago overlooking bright angel canyon from the south rim of the grand canyon.

Not really a nature photo or even a very good photo, but this recent "from the top" perspective was a fun experience.

Nice work, Glenn.

Great stuff from everyone, as usual! Here are a couple from a place that's not usually seen from the top, namely Lodore Canyon.

Another a few miles away.

Everyone is making it very hard on the judges again!

Jackson, both of those are super sweet!

I like to think of myself as a mountain photographer, but I'm afraid that I've become more of a desert photographer these last few years after having moved from California to Arizona and then central Utah. Man, I really need to get back into the high country for some proper photography work.

Here's one from a few years back. Wish I'd been a better photographer then. Boulder Pass, Glacier NP, along the so-called "Northern Traverse", a five-day backpack just shy of the Canadian border. As amazing as Glacier's front country is along Going-to-the-Sun road, Glacier's backcountry can be jaw-dropping. The trail here actually does not drop down into the valley in the middle ground, but rather traverses above the rock face on the left to the next visible pass. Pano of two stitched images after a rainy morning.

Keep it coming, everyone -- it's great to watch from the sidelines.

Looking down on American Lakes from Snow Lake. The sun lit up some high clouds to the east and I caught the reflection on the lake.

A different perspective from above the Wave.

Some great photographs on this thread and I'm in awe of those who made a photograph after climbing some of those summits. This one is Deep Creek Canyon south of the Flat Top Wilderness and you can literally drive almost right to it.

From near the top, Wetterhorn Peak. I posted this a while back, but I think it fits this category...

Lots of great shots everyone, I have just enough time to sneak in a few entries.

South Rim of the Grand Canyon

A canyon in Jasper National Park, Canada

Not the best image technically speaking but it shows the huge contrast between the canyon and the world above.

On top of Handies Peak in the San Juans.

Thanks everyone! This topic is now closed. Please check out our September 2012 theme!