Over the Fourth of July weekend I made a trip up to the Snowy Range Pass area for a couple days. I hadn't been up there for almost 6 years, and it had been near the top of my list of destinations all that time. It didn't disappoint at all! The place is really not that large, but boy, it packs a huge variety of cool scenery. Unique looking mountains, lakes, plenty of running water, lakes, flowers, lakes, and lots of snow still left. did I mention the lakes? Wow! At one point in my Sunday AM hike, I believe I could count eight lakes spread out below my vantage point.
Back in early June, Darren K, Rene Pirolt and I had met a nice couple shooting sunrise near us at the Maroon Bells. We got to talking (I know, imagine me doing that! ), and they mentioned they were from Laramie. That of course led to talk of the Snowy Range. Brett was kind enough to offer to show me around up there a little anytime.
So, Sunday at 4:15 AM, Brett pulled up to my camp spot near the pass, in the pouring rain!!! It had been raining since about 3AM, so my ideas of a nice sunrise were fading fast. Luckily Brett was more optimistic than I and we took off anyway. Such a good thing too!! It stopped raining almost instantly, and started to completely clear to the west. We did a great bushwhack, more than I'd done in years. Tough for this out of shape guy, but really a lot of fun in the end! We got to the unnamed lake destination right at about sunrise time---no sunrise! But, we could tell that things would start to happen soon. The south side of the lake was glass clear, perfect reflection. What a spot! Soon the clouds above lit up like crazy, and soon after the peaks in the distance did too! Now it was up to me to get it on film! DOH!
After the cool sunrise, Brett took me even further up the main trail, showing me some cool tarns, lots of flowers, and even more snow. Found lots of places that would make equally nice sunrise spots.
Anyway, enough rambling from me. This shot attached is from that great sunrise spot. I'll try to post a couple more below, but here is a link to all from that great trip: Snowy Range Pass, July 2006
By the way, this is my official call out to Brett to come join the fun here at RMNP. He's a good guy, shoots mostly 4x5, and has some great images! Good to have some more Wyoming blood around here! I know you got your film back today Brett, so lets see some!
Nice pictures Brent. The fourth one from the bottom of the linked page is my favorite. The water movement is awesome, and the light is nice. Thanks for posting.
Sweet stuff Brent and a real nice variety of subjects. It's especially refreshing to see some of Wyoming's other great landscapes besides Oxbow Bend or Yellowstone!! Anymore you seem to be shooting in CO as often as Bret.
I like the first shot and the 5th from the bottom (stream through forest meadow).
These are beautiful, Brent! I'm curious hwo far you had to hike or backpack to get there? (never been to that range before).
Guy
Posted by Scott Bacon on July 12, 2006 at 10:37 AM
Awesome stuff, Brent! Beautiful. I'm headed up there with the family in August. Looking forward to it even more now!!
Guy, there is a lot of road access in the Snowy Range. And the range is relatively small. There are a couple nice backpack loops, but many locations are within a day (or pre-dawn) hike.
I tried to post the fourth from the bottom in this thread yesterday too, but for some reason, it wouldn't let me. Maybe I'll do a separate thread tomorrow.
I'm curious how far you had to hike or backpack to get there? (never been to that range before).
Guy
Guy, like Scott said, the access up there is awesome. Nothing is really that far away. The first shot above took us about an hour to get to pre dawn, but that was because we did that fun bushwhack. After sunrise, we realized that via the main trail, and just a little bushwhacking, it would really only take a half hour of less to get there. I'd say you would have access to at least 10 different lakes or ponds within a 45 minute hiking window. Awesome!
I shouldn't admit this, but its not a big secret! This shot was a grueling hike, at least...... 55 seconds from the parking lot! DOH! Man, gotta love that!
That's a great story of perseverance. I probably would've stayed in bed. Your images are fantastic! I love the confetti-looking image - very different! You really captured a the diversity of a special place.
Dave Showalter
Posted by Rene Pirolt on July 12, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Brent – fantastic images! Makes me want to visit Wyoming (for the second time!).
Dude, these are fricking awesome! My favs are 1, 5, 6 and 15 from your linked page, but 1 and 15 are killer. All said and done, it looks like I will be making a road trip to this area and that 55 second hike is perfect for a family with young children.
Thanks for the heads up on this gorgeous area,
Craig
Reply posted by Tony Bouchard on 07/12/06 at 11:23 am MDT
Quick question - is there a reason you went to f/45 on the shot above? f/22 should be plenty to get the image circle big enough with a 90mm.
Tony, sorry I never answered this question. I was just posting another shot, and remembered this.
Anyway, not sure I have a good answer except for doing that out of habit! You are right, f/22 or close probably would have been OK. I guess I am used to doing the smaller apertures when going for the blurred water etc.
You got me thinking about image circle though. My 90mm is a very dark f/8, and I know for a fact that the image circle is really not that great. I guess I should experiment sometime, try the same shot from f/16 to f/45.
If you have the Nikon 90mm the image circle is acutally pretty big, 235mm @ f/22. This gives you room for more than 6cm of rise if shooting horizonatally.
I finally sold that lens, though, because I could hardly ever see well enough to setup a shot in pre-dawn light. I replaced it with a Nikon 75mm that is quite a bit easier to view on the ground glass.
Discussion
22 repliesOver the Fourth of July weekend I made a trip up to the Snowy Range Pass area for a couple days. I hadn't been up there for almost 6 years, and it had been near the top of my list of destinations all that time. It didn't disappoint at all! The place is really not that large, but boy, it packs a huge variety of cool scenery. Unique looking mountains, lakes, plenty of running water, lakes, flowers, lakes, and lots of snow still left. did I mention the lakes? Wow! At one point in my Sunday AM hike, I believe I could count eight lakes spread out below my vantage point.
Back in early June, Darren K, Rene Pirolt and I had met a nice couple shooting sunrise near us at the Maroon Bells. We got to talking (I know, imagine me doing that!
So, Sunday at 4:15 AM, Brett pulled up to my camp spot near the pass, in the pouring rain!!!
After the cool sunrise, Brett took me even further up the main trail, showing me some cool tarns, lots of flowers, and even more snow. Found lots of places that would make equally nice sunrise spots.
Anyway, enough rambling from me. This shot attached is from that great sunrise spot. I'll try to post a couple more below, but here is a link to all from that great trip: Snowy Range Pass, July 2006
By the way, this is my official call out to Brett to come join the fun here at RMNP. He's a good guy, shoots mostly 4x5, and has some great images! Good to have some more Wyoming blood around here! I know you got your film back today Brett, so lets see some!
Wista 45DX
90mm lens
Fuji Velvia 50
2 stop soft split ND
1/4" @ f/45
Wista 45DX
210mm lens
Calumet 6x7 Roll film back
Fuji Velvia 50
What an awesome gallery of work Brent! Top notch work.
I like the first shot and the 5th from the bottom (stream through forest meadow).
Guy
Guy, there is a lot of road access in the Snowy Range. And the range is relatively small. There are a couple nice backpack loops, but many locations are within a day (or pre-dawn) hike.
I tried to post the fourth from the bottom in this thread yesterday too, but for some reason, it wouldn't let me. Maybe I'll do a separate thread tomorrow.
Guy, like Scott said, the access up there is awesome. Nothing is really that far away. The first shot above took us about an hour to get to pre dawn, but that was because we did that fun bushwhack. After sunrise, we realized that via the main trail, and just a little bushwhacking, it would really only take a half hour of less to get there. I'd say you would have access to at least 10 different lakes or ponds within a 45 minute hiking window. Awesome!
I shouldn't admit this, but its not a big secret!
That's a great story of perseverance. I probably would've stayed in bed. Your images are fantastic! I love the confetti-looking image - very different! You really captured a the diversity of a special place.
Dave Showalter
Thanks for the heads up on this gorgeous area,
Craig
That is an amazing collection for three days. I'd be happy to have that many good ones in a year or two.
Quick question - is there a reason you went to f/45 on the shot above? f/22 should be plenty to get the image circle big enough with a 90mm.
Tony, sorry I never answered this question. I was just posting another shot, and remembered this.
Anyway, not sure I have a good answer except for doing that out of habit!
You got me thinking about image circle though. My 90mm is a very dark f/8, and I know for a fact that the image circle is really not that great. I guess I should experiment sometime, try the same shot from f/16 to f/45.
Any thoughts on this all you LF gear heads?
I finally sold that lens, though, because I could hardly ever see well enough to setup a shot in pre-dawn light. I replaced it with a Nikon 75mm that is quite a bit easier to view on the ground glass.