Category Archives: Destination

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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Destination, Photography, Travel

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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Destination, Photography, Travel

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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Destination, Photography

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

Destination, Photography, Travel

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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Destination, Photography, Travel

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.

Destination, Photography, Travel

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.

A – Deer Ridge Junction

B – Rainbow Curve Overlook

C – Sundance Creek Overlook

D – Forest Canyon Overlook

E – Mushroom Rocks Area

F – Lava Cliffs Overlook

G – Alpine Visitor Center Overlook

H – Lake Irene

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3OHi-vNOJ8

Destination, Photography, Travel

ALBERTA FALLS – RMNP – #rockymountains

Image March 4, 2018 Dan Traun

ALBERTA FALLS

Just down the road from Sprague Lake is a short hike and a beautiful waterfall. At just over eight-tenths of a mile hike in, Alberta Falls is one of the more popular hiking destinations in Rocky Mountain National Park. The scenic 30-foot waterfall thunders down a small gorge on Glacier Creek. This trail offers hikers an excellent spot to view the waterfall and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

The waterfall is named after Alberta Sprague. Alberta was the wife of Abner Sprague, one of the original settlers in the Estes Park area. The Sprague’s began building a homestead in Moraine Park in 1874. This home eventually become a lodge that was used for hunting, fishing and dude ranching. The property was sold to James Stead in 1900. It remained in business as the Stead’s Ranch and Hotel until 1962. In 1910 the Sprague’s built another lodge near the current parking area for Sprague Lake. The National Park Service purchased that property in 1932 and razed it in 1957.

Abner Sprague would go down in Rocky Mountain National Park history once more when he became the first visitor to pay an entrance fee in 1939.

It was a lovely hike to the waterfall in September 2016 in late afternoon. We were delighted to meet some wildlife along the path as well. This is such a beautiful place to hike around and explore.

Destination, Photography, Travel

SPRAGUE LAKE – RMNP – #rockymountains

Image March 3, 2018 Dan Traun

Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), located on the south side of Glacier Creek, about two miles south of the Hollowell turnoff. The .9 mile walk around the lake features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak. The area is named after Abner Sprague, who started a homestead there in 1874. The area became part of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915.

Sprague Lake is a special location in Colorado’s RMNP for my wife and I. We were married there November 18th 2013. Marry me in Colorado made the arrangements very easy. The setting could not have been more perfect. The weather was surprisingly nice for November.

The following photos are from our visit in September of 2016. Sprague Lake Loop is a lovely trail to hike around this picturesque location. The view of the mountains is truly breathtaking.

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Destination, Photography, Travel

HOWTH – COUNTY DUBLIN – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND #discoverireland

Image March 2, 2018 Dan Traun 1 Comment

Howth

Howth is a village and outer suburb of Dublin, Ireland. The district occupies the greater part of the peninsula of Howth Head, forming the northern boundary of Dublin Bay. Originally just a small fishing village, Howth with its surrounding once-rural district is now a busy suburb of Dublin, with a mix of dense residential development, quarries and wild hillside. The only neighboring district on land is Sutton. Howth is also home to one of the oldest occupied buildings in Ireland, Howth Castle. It has been the site of filming for many films.

Howth was the last stop on our whirl-wind, all the way around the emerald isle, Ireland vacation. We didn’t get to explore the area much as we had just checked into our B&B and were in search of dinner. We were not disappointing with our choice to dine here. Crabby Jo’s seemed like a fitting establishment to find seafood. The lobster and chips were divine.

After a delicious dinner we did have an opportunity to walk around the wharf. It was quite chilly that evening and the wind was coming off the water 25 mph sustained with gusts a wee be more fierce. That was no deterrent for us Minnesotans. There was so much to look at and take in. The colors and textures of the nets, rigging and boats were quite captivating. We were delighted to see a seal in the harbor loitering about with not a care in the world. Feeding the seals is not allowed for fear they will become dependent on humans for food. Here are some photos from our walk around the wharf.