OURAY I

Ouray is a small town located in Southwestern Colorado. It is known as “Switzerland of America”, and the “Jeeping Capital of the World”. There are lots of jeeps in town and passing through. Jeep tours are available to get to the back country which really where you want to go to enjoy the views, trails, and old and current mining sites. We had a wonderful “jeep” experience the four days we were there with San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours, http://sanjuanjeeptours.com/, and a very attentive and helpful driver, Brian.

AMERICAN BASIN GARDEN

On our first day in the San Juan Mountains we were off early (what else is new?) to visit American Basin. The elevation at the Basin was about 12K feet, which takes your breath away in more ways than one. I found myself moving slower than I wished, but had to in order to get pictures, etc. This is about 4K feet higher than what we were working in around Crested Butte, and 11K feet above my home town.

COLUMBINE w/ AMERICAN BASIN IN BACKGROUND

ROSY PAINTBRUSH AND COLUMBINE, AMERICAN BASIN

AMERICAN BASIN, ANOTHER VIEW

 The flowers were abundant, varied, and quite prolific. The landscape was magnificent. There were a number of familiar flowers, but many new ones to me as well:

ROSY PAINTBRUSH BOUQUET

ELEPHANTHEADS / ELEPHANTELLA

WHITE COLUMBINE

KING'S CROWN

ROSY PAINTBRUSH

 We did not really stop for lunch as the Tour provider supplied us all with a brown bag lunch of a large sandwich, chips, and a large apple. We ate this as we traveled from place to place. We were not just photographing the flowers and their landscape, as we stopped at Animas Fork Ghost Town for some ghost town photography as well. 

CABIN, ANIMAS FORK GHOST TOWN

NAVIGATING A JEEP ROAD

After the Ghost Town, we headed off to Governor Basin. It is another high country basin located in the San Juan Mountains. Driving to the basin is on a narrow jeep road with few places to pass. As you can see from the photo, you have to be cautious and keep your eyes on the road as the driver. This from our tour operator: “We Drive, You Look.” The afternoon turned cloudy which added a bit of drama at times to the photographs.

ABANDONED MINE, GOVERNOR BASIN

SCARLET PAINTBRUSH AND TUNDRA PAINTBRUSH

MARSH MARIGOLD

GOVERNOR BASIN

 

GRAND COUNTRY

Our second day in the San Juans started with a stop at Silver Basin, The lake is a beautiful bluish color, thus it’s name. We spent well over an hour near the lake, and then slowly worked our way down from the Basin, stopping to capture some waterfalls. We were slowed for a time, by some tree trimming, and then waiting for the road to be opened.

 

SILVER LAKE 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SILVER LAKE 2

STREAM AND PARRY'S PRIMROSE

MARSH MARIGOLD AND WATERFALL

VIEW FROM SILVER LAKE SADDLE

It was then onto Red Mountain #3 saddle for some more breath taking views.

RED MOUNTAIN #3 SADDLE VIEW

ALPINE SUNFLOWER AND VIEW

HIGH MOUNTAIN GARDEN, RED MTN. #3 SADDLE

From here we  went onto Yankee Boy Basin. On the way up the road, we passed several mining sites, some of which were active and a couple that were not. This Basin is well known for the wildflower show that it puts on every year. There was a  regular flow of vehicles on the 4x4 trail of people exploring the area as we were close to the peak show of the year. It is also known for its water falls below the Basin.

COLUMBINE WITH CORN LILLY PLANTS

CAPTURING THE LIGHT

SILVERY FALLS

A MOUNTAIN STREAM

 

Tonight we ate at another steak house called The Outlaw. The interior is designed as an old saloon, and the restaurant is located right on Main Street in Ouray. Regrettably I was not able to stay and enjoy the dinner as I was struck with a case of diarrhea. I went back the hotel to clean  up and rest. My roommate brought me my dinner, but I put away for consumption tomorrow.

 

CRESTED BUTTE in JULY

We rendezvoused with the group at the Airport in Grand Junction. After introductions; loading the cars, two large SUVs; and making the pre-departure visit to the restrooms; we were off.

Our destination today, Thursday, was Crested Butte, Colorado, known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. Along the way we enjoyed the views as we went through Glenwood Springs, known for its large hot springs resort, and beautiful scenery. There we turned South off of I-70 and headed for Crested Butte. On the way into Crested Butte we drove over a couple of high mountain passes, including Kebler Pass at 10,000 feet. We encountered a couple rain showers and an increase in the wind which does not make for great flower photography. We took time along the way to scout out prospective photo locations. We made one stop for photography late in the afternoon, before entering Crested Butte.

A Field of Aspen Sunflowers

Butter And Eggs

After a long lingering dinner at a Mexican Restaurant, it was time to get organized for tomorrow’s full day of photography and driving the back roads. I am now working at a minimum of 8K feet with going up into the mountains to 12-13+K feet. This is quite a change from living and exercising at sea level.

FRIDAY was our full day in the Crested Butte area. We started with photographing the large fields of aspen sunflowers at the base of Gothic

Mountain. Lots of possibilities for subject matter, and compositions with the clouds moving in and out around the Mountain. The fields were flush with aspen sunflowers. 

Aspen Sunflowers

Stormy Look to the North

Aspen Sunflower Below Gothic Mountain

Silvery Lupine, Aspen Sunflowers, Gothic Mountain

Interspersed with the sunflowers were Lupinus argenteus, Silvery Lupine; Delphinium barbeyi, tall Larkspur; Aconitum columbianum, Monkshood; Veratrum californicum, Corn Lilly; Frasera speciosa, Monument Plant: Ipomopsis aggregate, Scarlet Gilia: Corydalis caseana, Case’s Corydalis; and more.  It was quite the show, and difficult to decide what to focus on. I visited the Rocky Mountain Research Station in the village of Gothic and got a new pocket guide book of Rocky Mountain Wildflowers, and the recommendation for another book which I eventually found in Ouray, Wild About Wildflowers by Katherine Darrow. (This was a wonderful find as it is more than a field guide.)

Mountain Pond

Colorado Columbine Trio

Natural Beauty

Near Crested Butte

We took a break in the middle of the afternoon and returned to Crested Butte for some R&R. I took some time to get some Gatorade Mix for the week, and a few snacks as we do not have the usual snacks supplied. We had an early dinner at La Bosquet Restaurant before heading off for sunset on the mountains. The dinner was delicious and I enjoyed Hungarian mushroom soup, a delicious stuffed trout main course, and a sinful chocolate mousse for dessert.

The sunset was good but a challenge due to the mountains cutting off the light. Still I got a couple of keepers.

Late Light on Red Mountain

Stormy Sunset Clouds over Red Mountain

Saturday morning we were again off before breakfast for sunrise light on the mountains, and capturing other scenes of wildflowers.

Morning at Base of Gothic Mountain

Moving Water

Flowers in the Valley

We did not stay out too long as we need to get breakfast and pack up for our trip to Ouray. Luckily I was basically packed as we decided after breakfast to go and see and old ranch just outside of town.

Old Ranch, Crested Butte

Who Can Pass This Up? Not I.

Then we were off to Ouray over Ohio Pass, Montrose, and Ridgway.  

Castle Peak

There is a saying that the Army marches on its stomach. I think that was true of our group today as we stopped for a barbeque lunch, and then Dairy Queen treats before we got to Ouray. Then in Ouray we dined at True Grit, named after the movie starring John Wayne. They were all delicious, but too much food, and not enough exercise. We had hoped for another sunset try, but were rained out.

TRAVEL TO COLORADO

Was off to Colorado for wildflowers photography in the San Juan Mountains in July. I teamed up with my friends Lin and Mike to drive from San Diego to Grand Junction where we would meet up with the LightChase Photography Group.

We took two days to get there from San Diego with a stop at Cedar Breaks National Monument to check out their wildflowers and sunset. Before reaching Cedar Breaks we stopped at a small grove of Bristlecone Pines just off of Utah 14. Mike and I took the half mile walk to the small grove of Bristlecones. There was a nice vista from there to the South with Zion National Park in the distance. 

Bristlecone with Snaking Roots

 

We got to Cedar Breaks after the V. C. had closed, but there was plenty of time to explore the wildflowers and the vistas before sunset. 

Wildflower Celebration, Cedar Breaks N.M.

Sunflowers and Penstemon

Lupine Bouquet

Monument Plant, Frasera speciosa

Prairie Smoke, Genum triflorum

As the Canyon faces West we watched the sunset in the distance.

Cedar Breaks Detail

Looking West, Cedar Breaks N.M.

Finally it was time to get to Panguitch, grab a sandwich, and head for our Motel.

BRYCE CANYON and onto GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO

It was a short night as we wanted to be at Bryce National Park for sunrise. We photographed from Sunset Point,

Bryce Canyon w. Storm Clouds 1

Bryce Canyon w. Storm Clouds 2

A Bryce HooDoo

A Bryce Needle

 then went to Bryce Point to the South for a different view:

Bryce Canyon from Bryce Point

Bryce Canyon, A Closer Look

This gave us a better overall view of the Canyon looking at it from the South.

We had brought food for breakfast and then headed for the Lodge and Coffee Shop so that we could enjoy it with a cup of java. While at the Lodge I ran into Bill, Nancy, and Rosey  who I had worked with at the North Rim. After I breakfast I also ran into Kurt who had also been at the North Rim while we were there. (Small world!)

After returning to Panguitch to check out we stopped at the local True Value Hardware Store to get a couple of much needed items. I needed a bolt and nut to repair my tripod, and Lin needed a lubricant for her ballhead on her tripod. We were able to get exactly what we needed with the help of a very knowledgeable and helpful clerk.

Finally we headed for Grand Junction through some of Utah’s beautiful valleys and vistas. We went North on US-89 through Marysvale, and Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort before linking up with I-70. We visited a small park along the way.

Near Marysvale, UT

Big Bird and Tortoise

Once on I-70 we headed East through some beautiful open country with little development. We watched the development of thunderclouds to the East and North. We stopped at the San Rafael Swell Overlook to see and photograph this spectacular geological feature. 

I-70 Going Through the San Rafael Swell

I-70 Cutting Through San Rafael Swell

A Panorama of the San Rafael Swell Area

Have reviewed some of the area via the internet and it really is a fascinating area. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Rafael_Swell)

Finally we headed for our motel in Grand Junction, CO. We enjoyed a Japanese dinner with two others who we will be traveling with for our photo adventure. Tomorrow we head out for a photo adventure in Southwestern Colorado starting with Crested Butte.