A day at Mt Evans (Colorado)
- draft
| 2004/06/12 | |
I always thought that 12,095
ft Independence Pass was the highest (paved) road in Colorado. It probably
is the highest Pass, but road goes up to 14,130ft below Mt Evans. Mt Evans
itself is at 14,264ft and is the 14th highest fourteener mountain. Today
was a cloudy Saturday with threat of rain in the air. I visited here a
week ago for the first time, but only took a few pictures. Now i hoped
for sunny skies and lots of pictures -- but maybe i can return tomorrow
and it will be sunny.
As it turned out, this day was
great for pictures including some unique opportunities I would not have
on a totally sunny day. My photos started on I-74 and elvations 8,000ft
- 11,000ft. The distant mountains rised far in the distance, above miles
of evergreen forest which reached all the way to the road. Right by Mt
Evans Road, I saw Echo Lake and the light was just right. The sun was
hidden behind thin clouds but in a special way which provided even, soft
light to my scenery.
Once on Mt Evans Road, I took
my first pictures by "Mt Evans Information Center". One of the
unique, wind-beaten trees was separate from others, and the sky behind
it was dramatic. The sun was behind me, and with some patience it peeked
through for me. The first stretches of "on the ledge" road followed.
The single uphill lane had zero shoulder and there was no white line either.
Where asphalt ended the downhill slope of the mountain began. In the following
few miles there were very few turnout spots. The second turnout was on
the ledge and at curved bend of the road. Just as I stopped, I saw a marmot
only 20ft from the car. He was sitting on a rock right by the road. As
I got out of the car, he was gone. I approached his spot but there was
no sign of him in the area. I took pictures of the distant mountain peaks,
and then I saw a mamot again, on top of a bigger rock. I took some pictures
of him and approached slowly closer. He lost his patience after a while
even though I stopped when it seemed I was getting too close.
It was more clouds than sun as
I continued up the road. At VIEW DOWN I stopped to capture the winding
road. The road ahead was in the shape of a semi-circle, along the edge
of a rock-wall. I parked right by the 8ft tall wall of snow. The other
side of the road had a view of a lake far below.
alone at summit
windy
goat 5 shots
#Pursue Passion#
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