Looking for shooting locations near Steamboat Springs, CO July 8-22. I have a time share there, but am still becoming familiar with the area. While a former climber, I now do mostly only day-packing (I'm 65). I'm aware of Fish Creek Falls (lower and upper) and Buffalo Pass and Strawberry Park roads. But I need suggestions for other accessible shooting locations. Interested in wildflowers (but not macros) and, of course, mountains (I'm from Canton, MI). Currently considering Rabbit Ears Pass Area, North Park (NW from Walden), and Service Creek Wilderness. I'm also an avid fly fisherman. Just purchased Nikon D70s to replace (excuse me, supplement) my Nikon 8008. I like wide angles, 20-30 mm (in 35mm format).
Also, anyone know where I can rent a Jeep in Steamboat Springs?
Patrick Nixon
Posted by Todd Caudle on June 26, 2006 at 10:04 PM
Gilpin Lake and Red Dirt Pass areas are nice, from what photos I've seen. (Google those locations) I've hiked to Lake Katherine on the east side of the Park Range, and while nice, I think there are better places to go. Mica Basin is very high on my list of must-go places.
Posted by Chuck Peacock on June 26, 2006 at 10:18 PM
I can tell you where not to go...Big Red Park just north of Steamboat Lake. Unless you're a member of the "Rainbow Family".
I made a reference in another thread to Sheriff Reservoir just west of Oak Creek and Yampa. It's just off the Flattops byway. The Columbines are absolutely thick and there is a nice snow speckled flattop backdrop.
Definitely worth a day trip if not more.
The reservoir itself is full of fat trout. Some days are great fishing but I've been skunked there too.
It's about an hour, maybe a bit more from Steamboat.
Rodd may pipe up with some other locations, possibly around Zirkel. Zirkel or the Flattops are the best mountain backdrops you'll get that are somewhat close. The Medicine Bows on the east side of North Park are pretty impressive too.
from over 50 years of basque sheepherders tending their sheep in the area., My favorite carver is ca. 1988 Eusibio Benetez. I did found one carver for Christmas 1949. Must have been colder than...
ken
Posted by Grant Collier on June 27, 2006 at 12:36 PM
The road along Slater Creek is nice, with some rolling countryside and a couple large peaks, though there's a lot of private property along it. About anywhere along the roads north of Hahn's Peak can be nice. I've driven around there mostly at random and have always found things to photograph...some interesting forests. For mountain scenery, Trappers Lake is nice, though a bit longer drive. The recent fire should make for interesting compositions. And I too would recommendation Gilpin Lake in Mt. Zirkel Wilderness if you're up for a bit of a hike...it's probably the most spectacular mountain scenery around there, though I've never made it. The road was closed the one time I drove over there, so I wound up photographing along the Elk River, which wasn't bad.
Posted by Patrick Nixon on June 29, 2006 at 12:18 AM
Sorry I've been away from the forum for awhile and just now checking it out. Buffalo Pass road is still good, although a sheepherder has moved in just above Dry Lake Campground and the sheep have pretty much devestated any wildflowers right there. Farther up should be good by the time you get here, though. I hope you check out my post "Steamboat Flowers." I agree with others that Gilpin and Mica lake areas might be really good at that time. Huge snows in the high country around Steamboat this year which should bode well for those areas, although you should allow all day for hiking in and photographing. The picture is from a couple of years ago as you approach Mica Lake, and the meadow below this usually has abundant Columbines, Paintbrush, etc.
Try Steamboat Motors (970-879-8880) for renting a jeep. They rent cars, I'm not sure about a Wrangler, but surely an SUV
Discussion
6 repliesAlso, anyone know where I can rent a Jeep in Steamboat Springs?
Patrick Nixon
I made a reference in another thread to Sheriff Reservoir just west of Oak Creek and Yampa. It's just off the Flattops byway. The Columbines are absolutely thick and there is a nice snow speckled flattop backdrop.
Definitely worth a day trip if not more.
The reservoir itself is full of fat trout. Some days are great fishing but I've been skunked there too.
It's about an hour, maybe a bit more from Steamboat.
Rodd may pipe up with some other locations, possibly around Zirkel. Zirkel or the Flattops are the best mountain backdrops you'll get that are somewhat close. The Medicine Bows on the east side of North Park are pretty impressive too.
Sorry, Can't help with the jeep rental.
Have fun!
Speaking of sheep, There is the 1149 trail that contains hundreds of arborglyphs
http://www.steamboatmagazine.com/magazinearticle.php?articleID=40&headtext=Archives&backLink=1
from over 50 years of basque sheepherders tending their sheep in the area., My favorite carver is ca. 1988 Eusibio Benetez. I did found one carver for Christmas 1949. Must have been colder than...
ken
Sorry I've been away from the forum for awhile and just now checking it out. Buffalo Pass road is still good, although a sheepherder has moved in just above Dry Lake Campground and the sheep have pretty much devestated any wildflowers right there. Farther up should be good by the time you get here, though. I hope you check out my post "Steamboat Flowers." I agree with others that Gilpin and Mica lake areas might be really good at that time. Huge snows in the high country around Steamboat this year which should bode well for those areas, although you should allow all day for hiking in and photographing. The picture is from a couple of years ago as you approach Mica Lake, and the meadow below this usually has abundant Columbines, Paintbrush, etc.
Try Steamboat Motors (970-879-8880) for renting a jeep. They rent cars, I'm not sure about a Wrangler, but surely an SUV