I had the opportunity to get out and shoot a little this past weekend, and had a great time. I took off after work Friday night, and met up with Chris Ebright at the old mine cabins in Mayflower Gulch. We shot a pretty nice sunset, and then just hung out and chatted, and looked at images on Chris' laptop.
Next AM we kinda slept in , but I did at least wake up before sunrise to check the skies. Clear as a bell, so I didn't feel too bad for sleeping til 7AM. We hiked up to the old 2-story mine building way up the road and shot a little. Classic, blue sky, puffy cloud day, Colorado day. Awesome!
Chris had to head home, and I went exploring a little. Drove down to Leadville, then up Hwy 24 to Camp Hale. Been wanting to get there since I read a great book about the 10th Mountain Division training there during WWII.
I drove over Shrine Pass to Vail Pass, and eventually back up to Mayflower Gulch. For years I had been wanting to get up that little side road from the cabins, but every time I snowshoe up there, I'm either too pooped to go further, or just getting there at sunset time! So, I took advantage of the fact could drive up there this time! It's definitely a bumpy road, would surely recommend 4WD and some clearance. Just about 50 yards before the road ends at the top of the ridge, there was a snow drift in the way. It wasn't really that deep or long, but considering the road had a down sloping angle of about 20 degrees, I thought it might not be wise to cross!
Anyway, I parked the truck and hiked up to the ridge. All I can say is wow!!! Killer views all the way around, and acres of sweet, rolling tundra. I could see Holy Cross, Mt Massive, the Gore Range, etc! I definitely need to get up there in the winter finally too! Would be awesome!
I putzed around for an hour or so just taking in all the views, shot a little film, and finally sunset was upon me. Had some sweet light, and man did it come and go fast!!! Only bad part was the constant 15-20 mph breeze that wouldn't let the tundra grasses settle down at all. Oh well, small complaint!
And after that sweet story you only post one photo? I think we all want to see more. BTW, the photo is great. I would have liked to see more of the clouds, but great nevertheless.
I had a similar experience with wind up on that ridge a few years ago, watching the reflection on my ground glass vibrate as I took several exposures. I was so convinced that the wind would kill any chance of getting any images without camera shake that I unleashed a torrent of f-bombs that could probably be heard in Leadville. Lo and behold, they were definitely being heard by the guy and his dog just down the ridge from me that I hadn't noticed, so engrossed was I in the spectacular light show the sunset was playing on the boiling clouds over the nearby peaks. Surprisingly, all the images were sharp as tacks. One of them was in my engagement calendar a few years back.
Yeah, sorry, I re- worked my web page last night, renamed this image, and forgot to fix this link! DOH! But when I choose Edit on this thread, I'm afraid I can change text etc, but not the image. Any way to do this, or should I just re-post it again down here?
Brent - I don't think the software allows for reposting the image (w/ different name or link) in the original thread, but if you can create a copy of your reworked image and save it using the same name and location as the original, it should show up again.
Wow - cool shots guys. I have been there in the winter but not the summer - looks like it is a great little spot for a quick drive up and some sunset shots!!
Michael--- it is a great place for sunset, and I'd say from downtown Denver, with late PM traffic, it would be about 1:30 to get there. Not too bad!!!
Sweet shot Chris!!! Folks, Chris was the smart one that night. At the last minute, I decided to head back down to the cabins to shoot. Well, the sweet light happened as I was trying to find a shot. Besides this one Chris posted, he some other KILLER water shots. I manage to get off exactly one half of one sheet of 4x5! DOH! Here is that shot.
Discussion
15 repliesI had the opportunity to get out and shoot a little this past weekend, and had a great time. I took off after work Friday night, and met up with Chris Ebright at the old mine cabins in Mayflower Gulch. We shot a pretty nice sunset, and then just hung out and chatted, and looked at images on Chris' laptop.
Next AM we kinda slept in
Chris had to head home, and I went exploring a little. Drove down to Leadville, then up Hwy 24 to Camp Hale. Been wanting to get there since I read a great book about the 10th Mountain Division training there during WWII.
I drove over Shrine Pass to Vail Pass, and eventually back up to Mayflower Gulch. For years I had been wanting to get up that little side road from the cabins, but every time I snowshoe up there, I'm either too pooped to go further, or just getting there at sunset time! So, I took advantage of the fact could drive up there this time!
Anyway, I parked the truck and hiked up to the ridge. All I can say is wow!!! Killer views all the way around, and acres of sweet, rolling tundra. I could see Holy Cross, Mt Massive, the Gore Range, etc! I definitely need to get up there in the winter finally too! Would be awesome!
I putzed around for an hour or so just taking in all the views, shot a little film, and finally sunset was upon me. Had some sweet light, and man did it come and go fast!!! Only bad part was the constant 15-20 mph breeze that wouldn't let the tundra grasses settle down at all. Oh well, small complaint!
Enjoy!
Wista 45DX
135mm lens
2" @ f/22.3
Fuji Velvia 50
I had a similar experience with wind up on that ridge a few years ago, watching the reflection on my ground glass vibrate as I took several exposures. I was so convinced that the wind would kill any chance of getting any images without camera shake that I unleashed a torrent of f-bombs that could probably be heard in Leadville. Lo and behold, they were definitely being heard by the guy and his dog just down the ridge from me that I hadn't noticed, so engrossed was I in the spectacular light show the sunset was playing on the boiling clouds over the nearby peaks. Surprisingly, all the images were sharp as tacks. One of them was in my engagement calendar a few years back.
Nice Shot! I wish i could have hung around for Sat. night. Here is my first scan from Fri. night. the light was sweet, but sure went quick.
Nice work, too Chris - great view and excellent comp!
Until then, here is a link: http://www.doerzmanphoto.com/images/Mayflower%207-06/105.jpg
Michael--- it is a great place for sunset, and I'd say from downtown Denver, with late PM traffic, it would be about 1:30 to get there. Not too bad!!!
Sweet shot Chris!!! Folks, Chris was the smart one that night. At the last minute, I decided to head back down to the cabins to shoot. Well, the sweet light happened as I was trying to find a shot. Besides this one Chris posted, he some other KILLER water shots. I manage to get off exactly one half of one sheet of 4x5! DOH! Here is that shot.