Destination, iPhoneography, Photography, Travel

INDEPENDENCE PASS – Rocky Mountain High #Colorado

Image March 18, 2018 Dan Traun 3 Comments

INDEPENDENCE PASS

Independence Pass was originally known as Hunter Pass. It is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States. The elevation on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range is 12,095 ft. The pass is midway between Aspen and Twin Lakes, on the border between Pitkin and Lake counties. State Highway 82 traverses it. The is the highest elevation of a paved Colorado state highway on a through road. ~wikipedia

HISTORY

On July 4, 1879, a group from Leadville struck gold in the uppermost Roaring Fork valley below the pass. Four miles to the west, they established a settlement in the upper Roaring Fork Valley that eventually took the name Independence from the holiday on which it was established. The pass, the lake from which the Roaring Fork rises and another nearby mountain all took that name as well. The Twin Lakes and Roaring Fork Toll Company, established to build a road through to the camps in the lower Roaring Fork Valley, improved the original path over the pass sufficiently enough by 1880 that horses could be used for the trip. ~wikipedia

Independence Pass Photo Map

We drove to Independence Pass from Aspen. A few miles out of Aspen you will see Difficult Campground. The name cracked me up a bit; it sounds really inviting. I am sure it is a wonderful place to camp.

State Highway 82 Views (ascending)

The road grade from here steepens and your field of view widens as you ascend to the pass. The conifer trees blanketing the mountain side is simply beautiful and the aspen trees glowed yellow in places.

Weller Lake Trail

Part way up the pass we decided to pull off, stretch our legs a bit and hike around. You are immediately enveloped in the conifer trees once on the trail. We spied a stump where a squirrel had eaten its fill of pine nuts.

Independence Lake Trail Head

Just before Independence Pass in a great place to pull off and hike. The air is a wee bit thin here and we moved along the trail slowly. We didn’t venture all the way up to Independence Lake. We gained some altitude and took some pictures; then returned to the comfort of the SUV.

Independence Pass

The scenery at the pass (and all along the 44 mile route) is some of the most spectacular in all Colorado, and perhaps the finest you can view from a major highway, The road runs right beneath many great mountains including the highest in the state (14,433 foot Mount Elbert), and rises well above the treeline into the stark Alpine tundra zone. We passed many lakes, rivers, steep-sided valleys, thick forests of fir and extensive aspen groves. In the Fall, the aspen groves glow yellow; it is quite beautiful.

State Highway 82 Views (descending)

The beauty continues on as you descend from the pass toward Twin Lakes.

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COLORADO MONUMENT – GRAND JUNCTION #Colorado

Image March 17, 2018 Dan Traun 2 Comments

COLORADO MONUMENT

Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. You can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. ~nps.gov

Colorado National Monument is a National Park Service unit near the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. The park hosts a wide range of wildlife, including red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, ravens, jays, desert bighorn sheep, and coyotes. There are scenic views from trails, Rim Rock Drive, which winds along the plateau, and the campground. Nearby are the Book Cliffs and the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, the Grand Mesa.

The monument’s feature attraction is Monument Canyon, which runs the width of the park and includes rock formations such as Independence Monument, the Kissing Couple, and Coke Ovens. The monument includes 20,500 acres (32 square miles), much of which has been recommended to Congress for designation as wilderness. – wikipedia

To say that Rim Rock Drive is a scenic road is an absolute understatement. The 23-mile drive follows the upper rim of a series of canyons, connecting points only eight miles apart in a straight line. The entire road has been designated a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. There are a number of points of interest along the way with areas to pull off and absorb the natural beauty that completely surrounds you here. The photo map below marks the spots highlighted below with galleries.

Colorado National Monument Map (pdf)

Colorado National Monument Photo Map (click to enlarge)

Dog Tooth View

Serpents Trail Overlook

Cold Shivers Point Overlook

Red Canyon Overlook

Ute Canyon Overlook

Artist Point View

Monument Canyon View

Views along Rim Rock Drive

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HANGING LAKE – Glenwood Springs #Colorado

Image March 16, 2018 Dan Traun 3 Comments

Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake is located in Glenwood Canyon, about 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It is a one of the most popular hiking destinations in Colorado. When open, the lake is reached via a trailhead located along the Glenwood Canyon Bike and Pedestrian Path that runs along the north side of I-70 in the bottom of the canyon. The trail follows Dead Horse Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River and ascends 1,000 feet in elevation for 1.6 miles from the trailhead to the lake.

Early tales of the discovery of the lake tell of a man searching for gold in the canyon. The man found a dead horse at the opening of a gulch. When he followed the gulch up through the steep hillside through the canyon he came around the backside of the lake. This is how he first saw the small bowl-like basin hanging onto the cliffs below.

In the years following, the area served as a homestead and a private family retreat. After the Taylor Bill passed in 1910 it was purchased by Glenwood Springs. Following the purchase it began its long history as a public tourist stop. Later during the 1940’s it hosted a resort and cafe until the construction of Interstate-70 began in 1968. In 1972, the trail and the lake were returned to the protection of the Forest Service as part of the White River National Forest. It has been an increasingly popular tourist destination since. In 2011, the lake was named a National Natural Landmark by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. – wikipedia

Glenwood Canyon Views

Hanging Lake is one of my favorite places I have had the privilege to visit in Colorado. The walk up Glenwood Canyon to the trailhead via the bike/pedestrian trail alone is absolutely gorgeous in the morning light.

Dead Horse Gulch

At the trailhead, the landscape gets a wee bit steeper. There are seven bridges across Dead Horse Creek as you meander your way up the 1.6 mile extremely rocky path. There are several small riffles and waterfalls along the way to appreciate as you rest along your ascent.

Trail to Hanging Lake along Dead Horse Creek

Hanging Lake

At the top, the reward is magnificent views of Dead Horse Gulch and Hanging Lake.

The fragile shoreline of Hanging Lake is composed of travertine, this occurs when dissolved limestone from the Mississippian Period Leadville Formation (through which Dead Horse Creek flows) deposits on rocks and logs, creating travertine layers.

Hanging Lake is on a fault line; formed when roughly an acre and a half of the valley floor sheared off from the fault and dropped to what is now the shallow bed of the lake. The turquoise color of the lake is due to carbonate minerals that have dissolved in the water. – wikipedia

This natural wonder has closed multiple times due to vandalism. I cannot fathom why anyone would want to deface such natural beauty.

Spouting Rock

After viewing the natural beauty of Hanging Lake; on your way back, be sure to take the trail in the other direction and check out a waterfall spouting directly from the face of a cliff. The shallow cave beneath the water fall was created by erosion form the back-splash of the waterfall. The area surrounding the runoff from the waterfall is aid to have a magical/mystical charm.

Be sure to be extra careful on your way back down the trail. Rock can be loose and slippery.

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MCCLURE PASS – Marble #Colorado

Image March 15, 2018 Dan Traun 2 Comments

McClure Pass

McClure Pass is located along the boundary between Pitkin and Gunnison counties, in a gap at the western side of the Elk Mountains south of Redstone. It separates the headwaters of the Crystal River with the headwaters of the North Fork Gunnison River. The pass is traversed by State Highway 133 between Carbondale and Paonia. It provides the direct route between the Roaring Fork Valley and the North Fork Valley. The pass is not especially high and is generally open year round. It does close during heavy snowstorms. The approaches are fairly steep on each side, with an 8% grade. The approach is smooth on the south side, as the road overlooks Muddy Creek above Paonia State Park. The approach on the north side has one large switchback overlooking the valley containing the town of Marble, Colorado. ~wikipedia

McClure Pass is just south of Glenwood Springs. Reaching nearly 8800 feet in elevation, it is a small fry in Rocky Mountain terms. It is one of the steepest paved roads in the state, requiring drivers to climb an 8 percent grade. The pass offers magnificent views of Chair Mountain, Ragged Peak and Ragged Mountain.

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CRYSTAL RIVER – REDSTONE #Colorado

Image March 14, 2018 Dan Traun 4 Comments

Crystal River

The Crystal River is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River. It is approximately 40 mi long, in western Colorado in the United States. It drains a glacial valley, called the Coal Basin, south of Carbondale, historically known as a center of coal mining in southwestern Colorado. The river rises in northern Gunnison County in the Elk Mountains, passing through the ghost town of Crystal City, still inhabited by a few summer residents. It then flows north past Marble, then into Pitkin County past Redstone. It joins the Roaring Fork below Carbondale. State Highway 133 follows the river along much of its route north of Marble.

From Crystal City to Marble the river flows through the Crystal River Canyon, a narrow valley with numerous snowslide runs, rockfalls, and other hazardous terrain. It is locally known as a fishing and hiking attraction. The unpaved and largely un-maintained mining road is nearly impassable to vehicles other than ATVs and off-road motorcycles. A four-wheel-drive jeep tour is operated out of Marble. It only operates during the summer when the road is not blocked by snow, mud, or rock slides. ~wikipedia

Colorado State Highway 133 is a beautiful stretch of road. The Crystal River adds to the beauty exponentially. My wife and I especially enjoy the route from Carondale, through Redstone and over McClure Pass. Hwy 3 from 133 to Marble is quite lovely as well. At some point; hopefully in the not too distant future we will be able to make the trip from Marble to Crystal and photograph Crystal Mill. The road condition and off-road vehicle requirement makes this trip all the more interesting.

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HAYS CREEK FALLS – REDSTONE #Colorado

Image March 13, 2018 Dan Traun

Hays Creek Falls

Hays Creek Falls, also know as Hayes, is a waterfall along Hayes Creek that flow into the Crystal River. There is a short dirt path off of Highway 133 near Redstone, CO. The sign for “Hays Creek Falls” faces South bound traffic heading toward Marble on the right.

There are unnamed falls above Hays Creek Falls. We did not venture beyond. I’ve read that the trail is a bit steep and treacherous. I’ve also read about pot holes in the stream above the first falls. In a photo I saw through Google, it appears that there are falls flowing out of each pothole. We may have to check these out on a return trip.

Photos from Google

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COKE OVENS – REDSTONE #Colorado

Image March 10, 2018 Dan Traun

COKE OVENS

The Redstone Coke Oven Historic District is located at the intersection of State Highway 133 and Chair Mountain Stables Road outside Redstone, Colorado. It consists of the remaining coke ovens built at the end of the 19th century by the Colorado Fuel and Iron. In 1990 it was recognized as a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Two hundred were built because the coal in the surrounding mountains was ideal for refining into coke. At their peak they were producing almost 6 million tons a year. The development was the beginning of the modern settlement of Redstone. The ovens are the only remnant of the sizable coking operation in the area. It was the largest at the time in Colorado.

Within ten years of their construction the ovens fell into disuse when the mines closed. Their support steel was removed during the scrap metal drives of World War II, and later they were used as living space by hippies who moved into Redstone. The possibility that some might be demolished to build a gas station eventually led Pitkin County to acquire the land in the mid-2000s, and since then some have been restored. ~Wikipedia

Redstone is a lovely small art community on the banks of the Crystal River. You can spend some time here browsing the shops in town. Don’t miss out on an ice cream cone from Redstone General Store. There are also several lodging options, outfitters and a cafe. To my surprise, there was a walk bridge over the river made by Continental Bridge from Alexandria, MN.

Redstone Coke Ovens

Redstone Coke Ovens

Redstone Coke Ovens

Redstone Coke Ovens

Redstone Coke Ovens

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BAIR RANCH – Colorado #highcanyonadventures

Image March 7, 2018 Dan Traun 2 Comments

BAIR RANCH

High Canyon Adventures and Bair Ranch offer an authentic Western Colorado ranch experience for families and groups. Bair Ranch is one of the oldest family-owned and operated working ranches in Colorado. The Ranch is located 12 miles east of Glenwood Springs, making it easily accessible from both Aspen and Vail.

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is located at the confluence of the Roaring Fork River and the Colorado River, threading together the Roaring Fork Valley and a series of smaller towns up and down the Colorado River.

Roaring Fork Valley

The Roaring Fork Valley is a geographical region in western Colorado in the United States. The Roaring Fork Valley is one of the most affluent regions in Colorado and the U.S. It is one of the most populous and economically vital areas of the Colorado Western Slope. The Valley is defined by the valley of the Roaring Fork River and its tributaries, including the Crystal and Fryingpan River. It includes the communities of Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs.

Set between cascading groves of Aspen trees in the White River National Forest and striking canyon walls, Bair Ranch is no doubt one of the most breathtaking places in Glenwood Springs. ~glenwoodadventure.com

Bair Ranch offers some terrific horseback riding opportunities. Cyndie and I went on a the Glenwood Canyon 2 Hour Horseback Ride.

Two hours in the saddle is the ideal way to enjoy the majestic Western Colorado Rocky Mountains. From the stables at ranch headquarters you will climb in elevation. You will cross a natural mesa meadow which provides opportunities to overlook the Colorado River and Glenwood Canyon. As you leave the meadow and continue to ascend, the mountain trail vistas of the Glenwood Canyon expand as the Colorado River snakes lazily through the canyon floor. ~highcayon.com

Our guide was wonderful, the horses gentle and the views were amazing. There was one other couple scheduled for the ride. After waiting a bit, the other couple didn’t show. We had the whole trail to ourselves. Here are some photos from the ride. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the area.

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COLORADO RIVER – RMNP – #rockymountains

Image March 6, 2018 Dan Traun

COLORADO RIVER

The mighty Colorado River that carved the Grand Canyon has its headwaters on the west side of the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The route begins at Grand Lake, western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. It ends on a gravel road through spectacular Gore Canyon.

This scenic byway follows the magnificent Colorado River through Colorado as it begins its journey west through the Grand Canyon and flows to the Pacific.  The byway passes mountain valleys, canyons, lakes, historical ranch lands and high-country communities.

In the Park about 9.5 miles north of Grand Lake, you can get closer to the source by hiking from the Colorado River Headwaters trailhead.  Lulu City, an 1880’s gold mining camp sited along the banks of the Colorado, is now just a green meadow next to a stream in the Park. You can hike or backpack to the site of Lulu City.

We did not make the hike to Lulu City on this trip. It is definitely on the to do list for a return trip. The trail is a little over 7 miles round trip with very little elevation gain (350 ft.). I really enjoy the meadows on the western side of the park. I have read that there is a good chance of seeing moose in this particular area.

On this particular trip, we used a pull-off alongside the road, and stretched our legs a bit. An unnamed trail along the Colorado yielded some amazing views. The bright blue skies and crystal clear water went on endlessly. The smell of fragrant pines surrounded you. I could have sat by the river for hours.

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TRAIL RIDGE ROAD – RMNP – #rockymountains

Image March 5, 2018 Dan Traun 2 Comments

TRAIL RIDGE ROAD

Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park’s heavily traveled highway to the sky. It inspired awe before the first motorist ever traveled it. “It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make,” predicted Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service, in 1931 during the road’s construction. “You will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions.” ~National Park Service

From Kawuneeche Visitor Center at the park’s Grand Lake Entrance, Trail Ridge Road follows the North Fork of the Colorado River north through the Kawuneeche Valley. There are several trailheads along this section of the road, notably the Colorado River Trailhead, which is the western terminus of the road segment closed during the winter.

The road crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass (elev. 10,758 ft or 3,279 m) and reaches a maximum elevation of 12,183 ft (3,713 m), near Fall River Pass (elev. 11,796 ft or 3,595 m). Near the highest point on the road is another pass, Iceberg Pass (elev. 11,827 ft or 3,605 m).

Trail Ridge is a high flat spur range extending east from the main range of the Rockies between Fall River in the North and the Big Thompson River in the South. The road follows Trail Ridge from the Fall River Pass near Alpine Visitor Center to the Deer Ridge Junction. ~wikipedia

Rocky Mountain National Park

The map below indicate the location of where the photos below were taken. GPS coordinates from you smart phone photos are very handy when you return from a trip. You can load your smartphone photos into Lightroom and plot out your whole trip. This is exactly why I try to take a photo with my phone every time we stop. Even if there really isn’t anything picturesque…it still plots the course.

We entered RMNP from the east at Estes Park. The photos will flow in order from east to west; A-H. I have yet to travel Old Fall River Road (see video below); it’s on my list for the next visit to CO and RMNP.