Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation

just wondering which ones are free !

Garden of the Gods, is free

Pikes Peak, not free at all

etc, most seem to cost

--
Aaron
http://www.geocities.com/birdvaly
missouri backyard birds
link goes through yahoo to work
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

coffee7371 RemoveThis @aol.com (Coffee7371) wrote in message news:<20030707184247.05149.00000250 RemoveThis @mb-m14.aol.com>...
 > Hi all,
 >
 > My wife and I are planning a trip to Colorado and could use some input on
 > places to see. Here are some of the spots we were considering. If someone
 > could let me know if these areas are good choices or not, that would be a great
 > help.
 >
 > Here's what we've got so far,
 >
 > Cripple Creek
 >
 > Cotopaxi
 >
 > Buena Vista
 >
 > Canon City area
 >
 > Co. Springs area
 >
 > Not in that particular order, but you get the picture.
 >
 > Once again, all help would be greatly appreciated.
 >
 > TIA,
 >
 > Dave T.

Dave,

Odd choice of locations. Cotopaxi? Canon City? Hmmm. You're in the
heart of summer and the places you list are mostly low-elevation,
non-alpine locales. C. Springs is a good choice with Garden of the
Gods and Pikes Peak. Buena Vista is a great gateway into the Sawatch
Range (check out Cottonwood Pass area). Cripple Creek is marginally
photogenic for some old mine ruins, but gambling casinos have taken
over the town, sucking its historic side down the drain.

Consider going from Buena Vista over Cottonwood Pass, then down the
Taylor River to Almont, then back north to Crested Butte. Drive the
roads to Paradise Divide or Gothic (4WD helps on the former) You'll be
in wildflower heaven between now and mid-August.

Or, from BV, head over Independence Pass to Aspen and drive the Castle
Creek road or take the shuttle to Maroon Bells (or drive the road
before sunrise and you can take your own car to Maroon Lake)

Or, don't do any of these things and tell me to go jump in a lake!

Have fun.

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.toddcaudle.com" target="_blank">http://www.toddcaudle.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

Todd,

Thanks for the great information. I printed it out and hope to put it to good
use.

Obvoiusly we're going into this somewhat blind, not knowing the area, but we
hope to gather some knowlege for future trips.

Thanks again,

Dave T.
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

Dave, Todd gave you some good info. I'd also add...

There is a great backroads loop starting at Old Monarch Pass (just a tad
east of Monarch Pass on Hwy 50). From there, you go through Black Sage Pass,
Juanita Pass, visit the town of Pitkin, go over Cumberland Pass (12,000 foot
plus) to the town of Tin Cup and on towards Taylor Reservoir, and then on to
Cottonwood Pass (12,000 foot plus) and drop back into Buena Vista (BV).
You'll get a good taste of Colorado in a one-day trip. You'll want to pick
up a copy of the Gunnison NF map in one of the tourist shops - or at the
USFS office off Wasatch in Colorado Springs.

You can also head up towards the semi-ghost town of St. Elmo (side road
heading west, just south of BV. 4WD roads continue throughout that area.

There's also a nice loop starting in Poncha Springs. Go south on 285 through
Poncha Pass, then cut west on the road through Marshall Pass. The road ends
nears Sargents, where you can loop back towards Poncha Springs via Monarch
Pass.

Another favorite loop is starting at BV, head south to Johnson Village, then
head north towards Fairplay and on to Como (Hwy 285). Turn at the Como
turnoff (there's an old RR roundhouse under renovation), continue on the
road over Boreas Pass into Breckenridge. From there, head south on 9 to Alma
(over Hoosier Pass) and (only if you have a 4WD vehicle) find the road to
Mosquito Pass. Take this into Leadville, then back to BV on Hwy 24. If you
don't have 4WD, then continue on Hwy 9 to Frisco, west on I-70 to either Hwy
91 or Hwy 24 to Leadville, then continue south to BV.

Any of these trips should give you a good taste of the Colorado Rockies!

Ken
--
_______________________
Kenneth Wyatt Photography
Woodland Park, CO
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.wyattphoto.com" target="_blank">www.wyattphoto.com</a>


"Coffee7371" <coffee7371 RemoveThis @aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030707184247.05149.00000250@mb-m14.aol.com...
 > Hi all,
 >
 > My wife and I are planning a trip to Colorado and could use some input on
 > places to see. Here are some of the spots we were considering. If
someone
 > could let me know if these areas are good choices or not, that would be a
great
 > help.
 >
 > Here's what we've got so far,
 >
 > Cripple Creek
 >
 > Cotopaxi
 >
 > Buena Vista
 >
 > Canon City area
 >
 > Co. Springs area
 >
 > Not in that particular order, but you get the picture.
 >
 > Once again, all help would be greatly appreciated.
 >
 > TIA,
 >
 > Dave T.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've passed, and NOT taken, the
old Monarch Pass route you described, Ken. Sounds fun!

TC
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.toddcaudle.com" target="_blank">http://www.toddcaudle.com</a>


"Ken Wyatt" <ken.DeleteThis@wyattphoto.com> wrote in message news:<nJ1Qa.44005$C83.3449311@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net>...
 > Dave, Todd gave you some good info. I'd also add...
 >
 > There is a great backroads loop starting at Old Monarch Pass (just a tad
 > east of Monarch Pass on Hwy 50). From there, you go through Black Sage Pass,
 > Juanita Pass, visit the town of Pitkin, go over Cumberland Pass (12,000 foot
 > plus) to the town of Tin Cup and on towards Taylor Reservoir, and then on to
 > Cottonwood Pass (12,000 foot plus) and drop back into Buena Vista (BV).
 > You'll get a good taste of Colorado in a one-day trip. You'll want to pick
 > up a copy of the Gunnison NF map in one of the tourist shops - or at the
 > USFS office off Wasatch in Colorado Springs.
 >
 > You can also head up towards the semi-ghost town of St. Elmo (side road
 > heading west, just south of BV. 4WD roads continue throughout that area.
 >
 > There's also a nice loop starting in Poncha Springs. Go south on 285 through
 > Poncha Pass, then cut west on the road through Marshall Pass. The road ends
 > nears Sargents, where you can loop back towards Poncha Springs via Monarch
 > Pass.
 >
 > Another favorite loop is starting at BV, head south to Johnson Village, then
 > head north towards Fairplay and on to Como (Hwy 285). Turn at the Como
 > turnoff (there's an old RR roundhouse under renovation), continue on the
 > road over Boreas Pass into Breckenridge. From there, head south on 9 to Alma
 > (over Hoosier Pass) and (only if you have a 4WD vehicle) find the road to
 > Mosquito Pass. Take this into Leadville, then back to BV on Hwy 24. If you
 > don't have 4WD, then continue on Hwy 9 to Frisco, west on I-70 to either Hwy
 > 91 or Hwy 24 to Leadville, then continue south to BV.
 >
 > Any of these trips should give you a good taste of the Colorado Rockies!
 >
 > Ken
 > --
 > _______________________
 > Kenneth Wyatt Photography
 > Woodland Park, CO
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.wyattphoto.com</font" target="_blank">www.wyattphoto.com</font</a>>
 >
 >
 > "Coffee7371" <coffee7371.DeleteThis@aol.com> wrote in message
 > news:20030707184247.05149.00000250@mb-m14.aol.com...
  > > Hi all,
  > >
  > > My wife and I are planning a trip to Colorado and could use some input on
  > > places to see. Here are some of the spots we were considering. If
 > someone
  > > could let me know if these areas are good choices or not, that would be a
 > great
  > > help.
  > >
  > > Here's what we've got so far,
  > >
  > > Cripple Creek
  > >
  > > Cotopaxi
  > >
  > > Buena Vista
  > >
  > > Canon City area
  > >
  > > Co. Springs area
  > >
  > > Not in that particular order, but you get the picture.
  > >
  > > Once again, all help would be greatly appreciated.
  > >
  > > TIA,
  > >
  > > Dave T.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

Hey Todd, others:

I just got back from 2 weeks on the road (Yellowstone,
Tetons and Pacific NW; I had the fortunate luck to
be able to follow a grizzly for an hour--safely but
close, 2 days in a row--photos later).

So how's the wildflowers here in Colorado doing?
Has anyone been to Crested Butte or the San Juans
and care to give a report? I gotta decide what
to do next (after my 100 4x5 get developed).

Roger
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

"Roger N. Clark" <rnclark RemoveThis @qwest.net> wrote in message news:<3F123B04.546432F RemoveThis @qwest.net>...
 > Hey Todd, others:
 >
 > I just got back from 2 weeks on the road (Yellowstone,
 > Tetons and Pacific NW; I had the fortunate luck to
 > be able to follow a grizzly for an hour--safely but
 > close, 2 days in a row--photos later).
 >
 > So how's the wildflowers here in Colorado doing?
 > Has anyone been to Crested Butte or the San Juans
 > and care to give a report? I gotta decide what
 > to do next (after my 100 4x5 get developed).
 >
 > Roger

THings are starting pretty good, although the hot, dry weather of late
isn't helping. I was up near CB last week and saw lots of flowers, but
not the vast fields yet. Should be good in another week or so.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

Aaron wrote:

 > just wondering which ones are free !
 >
 > Garden of the Gods, is free
 >
 > Pikes Peak, not free at all
 >
 > etc, most seem to cost

Yes, but the fees are nominal and usually go to
helping the local environment. So for access,
it really is low cost entertainment.

Roger<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

Ken Wyatt wrote:

 > go over Cumberland Pass (12,000 foot
 > plus) to the town of Tin Cup and on towards Taylor Reservoir, and then on to
 > Cottonwood Pass (12,000 foot plus) and drop back into Buena Vista (BV).

On the east side of Cottonwood pass, on the south side of the
road at a bend in the road, you'll pass a wetland area that
looks like prime moose habitat, and about 50% of the times
I've gone by there, there are moose. I've seen mother and baby
and a spectacular bull. (I didn't see them last year though,
but then I only went by there 3 times. Has anyone seen them
this year?)

Roger Clark<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

Ken,

Thanks for the info. Geez, it sounds like between Todd and yourself you guys
have the back roads down to a science.

Looks like the 4wd might get a workout if my wife doesn't chicken out.

Speaking of my wife the Wolf lover. She would like me to ask you guys about
the Wolf and Wildlife Center at Woodland Park. Is it worth a visit?

Once again let me send my thanks to all for taking the time to help me with all
of these questions.

Dave T.
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

Coffee7371 wrote:

 > Ken,
 >
 > Thanks for the info. Geez, it sounds like between Todd and yourself you guys
 > have the back roads down to a science.
 >
 > Looks like the 4wd might get a workout if my wife doesn't chicken out.

Most of the 4-wheel drive roads Ken described are easy and many,
like cottonwood pass is a low-rider 2-wheel drive dirt road.

 > Speaking of my wife the Wolf lover. She would like me to ask you guys about
 > the Wolf and Wildlife Center at Woodland Park. Is it worth a visit?

I haven't been there, but I just read a report that wolves
are expected to enter Colorado within the next year or so.
I saw my first wild wolves in Yellowstone less than 2 weeks
ago. There are packs in the Tetons and apparently further
south now.

Some Colorado photos:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.colorado" target="_blank">http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.colorado</a>

Roger Clark
Home page: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.clarkvision.com" target="_blank">http://www.clarkvision.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation 

No moose when I went through - but I noticed the same wetland and even
remarked to my wife that there ought to be some in there!

By the way Roger, I was up at the Tetons late this past April for the
Photography At The Summit workshop. What a great place to shoot wildlife!
One of my images taken that week was selected as "best of show" at the
Wildlife Art Museum gallery show during May/June. I posted a few shots at:

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.wyattphoto.com/Ken/html/Tetons_Gallery.htm" target="_blank">http://www.wyattphoto.com/Ken/html/Tetons_Gallery.htm</a>

I haven't had a chance to check the WF situation in the San Juans or CB
areas yet, but we're getting an unusually good crop in the Teller County
area this year. Like Todd says, though, the warm spell isn't doing them much
good.

If anyone is in the Woodland Park/Divide area, one of the better roads for
wildflowers seems to be Manchester Creek Rd., which is accessed straight
north from Divide. Once you hit dirt, watch for the first turn to the left.

I led a wildflower tour through there last Saturday and could have probably
spent several days there, with plenty of photo ops.

Ken

--
_______________________
Kenneth Wyatt Photography
Woodland Park, CO
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.wyattphoto.com" target="_blank">www.wyattphoto.com</a>

"Roger N. Clark" <rnclark DeleteThis @qwest.net> wrote in message
news:3F137505.51BBABEB@qwest.net...
 > Ken Wyatt wrote:
 >
  > > go over Cumberland Pass (12,000 foot
  > > plus) to the town of Tin Cup and on towards Taylor Reservoir, and then
on to
  > > Cottonwood Pass (12,000 foot plus) and drop back into Buena Vista (BV).
 >
 > On the east side of Cottonwood pass, on the south side of the
 > road at a bend in the road, you'll pass a wetland area that
 > looks like prime moose habitat, and about 50% of the times
 > I've gone by there, there are moose. I've seen mother and baby
 > and a spectacular bull. (I didn't see them last year though,
 > but then I only went by there 3 times. Has anyone seen them
 > this year?)
 >
 > Roger Clark
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado Photo Trip and Vacation