Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park

Not much to say, except that it was another fine weekend along the front range of the Rocky Mountains.

Black Lake panorama.

The rocks surrounding Alberta Falls glow pink in the pre-dawn light.

Canyon above Alberta Falls.

Near Mills Lake.

Early in the morning, the sun reaches the eastern-facing slopes but the river bottoms remain in shadow.

Later in day, as the sun reaches deeper into the canyons and valleys.

Looking downstream from near the upper end of Mills Lake.

Looking down on Black Lake.

Cascade and flowers above Black Lake.

High country. Looking north back down Glacier Gorge.

Mountain mornings.

OK, so what if I don't have my good camera gear? These beautiful summer mornings cannot be wasted. And even if I can't get a shot worth printing and hanging on the wall, I can still get the feel of the light around here, and scope out some places to go back to with the SLR and a couple of good lenses. And enjoy the peace and quiet, the beautiful light, and the delicious air.

Left the hotel at what my old friend Jerry would call "o-dark-thirty" again - about 3:15 AM I think - and got out of the car at around 4:30 and started climbing.

The trail switchbacked quite a bit. Climbing to the east, I had a chance to watch the progress of the sunrise:

4:28 AM: Climbing towards the sunrise.

Turning back west, a look at the mountains, with the tail lights of a few other early risers on the road in the valley bottom:

4:34 AM: Climbing towards the mountains.

Even though it is nearly pitch black and I am using a head lamp, the camera can see subtle differences on the light that my eyes cannot - if I give it a chance by using long exposure times - these are shot with the shutter open for 15 seconds.

After about an hour of climbing, I reached the crest of the hill. Too late for any pre-dawn shots - making a note to get there a half-hour earlier next time - but in time to circumambulate to the east side to catch the sun hitting the mountains over the lake:

5:36 AM: The mountains are painted red by the warm early morning light.

After that, taking my time to complete a lap around the lake, enjoying the air, the light, and the solitude.

5:45 AM: An old stump on the lake shore.

6:10 AM: Light spreads over the lake.

6:25 AM: Alpine Fireweed, Epilobium latifolium.

6:35 AM: A Leafy-Bracted Aster, Symphyotrichum foliaceum, hides among the grass.

Then back down the hill, and into town for a bit of breakfast!

7:15 AM: Back down the hill.