Posted by kevin reaves on August 23, 2012 at 7:33 AM
I am planning my annual Fall trip to the West and would like some expert advice from some of you? My first question for now is concerning Capitol Peak. I was out there last fall and shot sunset from the trail at the end of Capitol Creek Rd. I walked down the trail a short distance until I found a number of other photographers capturing sunset, but was wondering if there are any better views from this locale? I did not go to the Hell Roaring trailhead as I didn't know if there was a better view from up top. Also wondered if there is a better viewpoint down the trail. I walked further down but it seemed to be losing quite a bit of altitude and was blocked by the trees. Thanks for your help.
I have hiked the Capitol Creek trail in the summer and I don't believe you get another unrestricted view of the peak for a couple of miles and at that point you are past the majority of the aspen stands. My opinion is that the best vantage is to follow the road up the steep hill just past the TH where you come to a nice big camp spot. Walk through the camp spot and toward the peak until the trees break. It seems like the view opens up a bit from there
Kevin, I like Randy's option better than your first shooting spot. Randy's option is also better than the Hell Roaring TH.
If you Google Earth 3D the Hell Roaring TH you will notice a heavily treed mountain ridge that descends top to bottom, right to left in your comp. I remember it taking up about a third of the frame when properly zoomed into Capitol Peak. That slope isn't a deal breaker when viewing on Google, but once you're there you're gonna notice the slope is pine trees (not aspens) facing true north. That means at sunset that slope will be almost black with no detail. Unless you really zoom past that immediate slope then you might be dissapointed.
Posted by kevin reaves on August 24, 2012 at 5:44 AM
Thank you Randy & Kane. I really appreciate the info. Hope to run into some of you guys while I am out there!
Yeah, what they said! One of my favorite locations!
The spot Kane talks about at the top of the steep hill, just past the trail head area is great. Here's a shot from there. You can easily walk through the trees to get a clear shot. View from top of hill past trailhead
The view from the end of the road is pretty hard to beat too as you know!
Here are a few more general Capitol area shots for reference: Capitol Creek Road
Posted by kevin reaves on August 25, 2012 at 6:12 AM
Thank you Brent! I have actually used your trip reports in the past to help plan my trips and they were a tremendous help. Beautiful work Brent! Thanks again!
Discussion
6 repliesKevin
If you Google Earth 3D the Hell Roaring TH you will notice a heavily treed mountain ridge that descends top to bottom, right to left in your comp. I remember it taking up about a third of the frame when properly zoomed into Capitol Peak. That slope isn't a deal breaker when viewing on Google, but once you're there you're gonna notice the slope is pine trees (not aspens) facing true north. That means at sunset that slope will be almost black with no detail. Unless you really zoom past that immediate slope then you might be dissapointed.
The spot Kane talks about at the top of the steep hill, just past the trail head area is great. Here's a shot from there. You can easily walk through the trees to get a clear shot.
View from top of hill past trailhead
The view from the end of the road is pretty hard to beat too as you know!
Here are a few more general Capitol area shots for reference: Capitol Creek Road
Good luck!