Hello, I'll be spending a few days next week in a part of Colorado that I have never been to before, the south
San Juans, Platoro, specifically. I'm looking forward to exploring a new place but does anyone know of certain places that I should make an extra effort to see/photograph?
I follow your forum and find that you are a pretty helpful bunch so thanks in advance.
Ken Bachman
Hesston, KS
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 17, 2006 at 12:46 PM
If you want the most must-see place around Platoro, I'd say Conejos Falls. Just go to the Three Forks trailhead past Platoro Reservoir, and it's a very easy hike of about 3 miles, most of which is nearly level. Once you get to the crossing of the Adams Fork, the trail starts going uphill, but not severely. By then you're almost there. Here's a link to a John Fielder photo of it.
Also, drive over towards Schinzel Flats and Elwood Pass. Just explore some of the roads around there, like around Stunner Pass, too. You'll find plenty to shoot.
Hey Darren Killjoy, would those "secret falls" of Fielder's be the ones he describes thusly?:
A shorter loop offers hikers a glimpse of the South San Juans' rugged alpine core and memorable views of marvelous Conejos Falls...The falls lie about three miles up the Middle Fork of the Conejos.
Or like this?:
From atop the Continental Divide Trail, you can see the thin white vertical stripe of Conejos Falls from five miles away. That sight motivated a trip along the Middle Fork of the Conejos River to see the falls close-up. What a treat to finally see the roaring, 80-foot plunge of Conejos Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls to photograph in all of Colorado.
You can find those descriptions on page 303 of his GUIDEBOOK, The Complete Guide to Colorado's Wilderness Areas. In fact, that second citation is from his South San Juans chapter photo tip, boxed and outlined for added emphasis. Or is it another Conejos Falls that he's trying to be so vague about? Furthermore, why are we suddenly concerned about the "secret" places of Colorado's photographic 800-lb. gorilla?
If you can't see the difference between someone posting magnificent photos of an area on the forum and then having multiple people who most of us have never heard of ask for directions to the place, and a thread where someone specifically asks for places to see in the general area he'll be visiting, then I can't help you.
"Can we do the directions thing off-forum? Pretty please?"
At thje risk of causing a flame war on our brandy spanky new all-western photo forum, ...I find it fairly inconsistent to tout that we are a open forum, but should still restrict knowledge of specific photo ops. Get real. you think you have the ultimate shot location...Jeremia Johnson (or his replica ala Bridger) was there 100 years before you and I.
I took some friends from South Arizona to North Clear Creek Falls yesterday. They were amazed and I was pleased to see their reaction. And it is every bit as beautiful as Conejos Falls. We also hiked the short walk to South Clear Creek Falls.
http://cardinalpointphoto.com/10348.htm
Maybe not up to the level of a fielder photo but it still gets your attention.
Posted by Doug Andrews on July 17, 2006 at 10:06 PM
"If you can't see the difference between someone posting magnificent photos of an area on the forum and then having multiple people who most of us have never heard of ask for directions to the place, and a thread where someone specifically asks for places to see in the general area he'll be visiting, then I can't help you."
Gotta agree with Darren here. Two people asked for directions to Porphyry Basin, one of whom (Joseph Finn) isn't exactly a stranger to this board before you asked to take the direction giving off-line. And how asking about places to photograph in a general area make it okay to give specific directions to sites, whereas a request for a specific location not make it okay is beyond me.
I agree with Adam Schallau. I think that the person who is being asked for a location should decide whether he/she will post the info on the forum, or e-mail the requester privately.
Ah yes... putting our best foot forward for a visitor asking for help. Didn't we just have this little discussion on another thread.
How 'bout if we just try to help Ken with reasonable answers to his question - consistent with your own personal proclivities about giving out directions - and take any bickering off line.
It's always nice to show folks how clever we are with our cute remarks, but can we please keep the replies on-target to help Ken, or take that part of the discussion off-line.
As Todd said, I would head to Elwood Pass area. Between Platero and Elwood, there are some great photographs waiting to be had, almost right from the car. Beautiful colored mountains tower over the Alamosa River. Also, south of Platero, along the Conejos, there are some great photographs using the river as your subject (especially if you get some interesting weather).
Also, as has been recently discussed here, a good hike/backpack location is Crater Lake from the Elwood Pass area.
I'm with you Rick! I personally think the problem started with Darren's uncalled for remark. Everybody just has their panties in a knot for some reason! Maybe it's the heat and no rain!
I don't know that anyone's remarks are uncalled for. There's a legitimate differentiation being raised (imo) - and Todd's reply helps clarify how he's differentiating things, which is fine - but I'm suggesting that there's a more appropriate place to have that discussion (e.g., in a separate thread or offline).
In the interests of helping Ken, whose thread this is, it'd be nice to put the witty banter on hold and actually give Ken some help.
I follow your forum and find that you are a pretty helpful bunch so thanks in advance.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm really looking forward to exporing a new (for me) place. I didn't intend to start a pissing contest over here. I'm sure we all have favorite "secret" spots that we don't tell anyone about. This is one of my favorite spots in Kansas. If any of you ever come this way I would try and help you find some of our nice spots, I bet you all could take way better pictures of them than I do.
Discussion
10 repliesSan Juans, Platoro, specifically. I'm looking forward to exploring a new place but does anyone know of certain places that I should make an extra effort to see/photograph?
I follow your forum and find that you are a pretty helpful bunch so thanks in advance.
Ken Bachman
Hesston, KS
Here's a link to a John Fielder photo of it.
Also, drive over towards Schinzel Flats and Elwood Pass. Just explore some of the roads around there, like around Stunner Pass, too. You'll find plenty to shoot.
Or like this?:
You can find those descriptions on page 303 of his GUIDEBOOK, The Complete Guide to Colorado's Wilderness Areas. In fact, that second citation is from his South San Juans chapter photo tip, boxed and outlined for added emphasis. Or is it another Conejos Falls that he's trying to be so vague about? Furthermore, why are we suddenly concerned about the "secret" places of Colorado's photographic 800-lb. gorilla?
If you can't see the difference between someone posting magnificent photos of an area on the forum and then having multiple people who most of us have never heard of ask for directions to the place, and a thread where someone specifically asks for places to see in the general area he'll be visiting, then I can't help you.
At thje risk of causing a flame war on our brandy spanky new all-western photo forum, ...I find it fairly inconsistent to tout that we are a open forum, but should still restrict knowledge of specific photo ops. Get real. you think you have the ultimate shot location...Jeremia Johnson (or his replica ala Bridger) was there 100 years before you and I.
I took some friends from South Arizona to North Clear Creek Falls yesterday. They were amazed and I was pleased to see their reaction. And it is every bit as beautiful as Conejos Falls. We also hiked the short walk to South Clear Creek Falls.
http://cardinalpointphoto.com/10348.htm
Maybe not up to the level of a fielder photo but it still gets your attention.
Gotta agree with Darren here. Two people asked for directions to Porphyry Basin, one of whom (Joseph Finn) isn't exactly a stranger to this board before you asked to take the direction giving off-line. And how asking about places to photograph in a general area make it okay to give specific directions to sites, whereas a request for a specific location not make it okay is beyond me.
How 'bout if we just try to help Ken with reasonable answers to his question - consistent with your own personal proclivities about giving out directions - and take any bickering off line.
It's always nice to show folks how clever we are with our cute remarks, but can we please keep the replies on-target to help Ken, or take that part of the discussion off-line.
Also, as has been recently discussed here, a good hike/backpack location is Crater Lake from the Elwood Pass area.
In the interests of helping Ken, whose thread this is, it'd be nice to put the witty banter on hold and actually give Ken some help.
....on most days....