Independence Pass
Independence Pass, Hwy 82, Colorado - July 2009

The relatively short distance between Leadville and Aspen belies the challenge of getting from one place to the other. The highway that connects the two communities features steep grades and hairpin turns that preclude fifth wheels and large RV’s from using this stretch of road. However, these same characteristics make it an entertaining drive for those vehicles able to make the crossing.

We were late leaving Leadville so I knew it would be a challenge to make it over the pass before dark. Indeed, by the time we reached the top it was cold and nearly dark.

The Colors of Dusk
Independence Pass, Hwy 82, Colorado - July 2009

The Maroon Bells
White River National Forest, Colorado - July 2009

The Maroon Bells are the most photographed mountains in Colorado. Sunrise here can be very spectacular, although this particular morning turned out to be merely "OK" – as did my images. In the summer, one hopes for dramatic clouds above the Bells, or a quiet, calm morning that leaves a perfect reflection on the surface of Maroon Lake. The best time to be here is in the fall when the Aspens change color and a dusting of snow covers the landscape.

Red and Blue
White River National Forest, Colorado - July 2009

The crowd that had formed to watch the sunrise dispersed quickly, leaving just two observers in red jackets to enjoy the view. This lull wouldn’t last. This area gets so crowded that it is only possible to drive to it early in the morning or late in the evening. During the day the road is closed to everything but a series of shuttles from nearby Aspen.

Aspen Silhouettes
White River National Forest, Colorado - July 2009

This is one of the prettier views of the Bells that I encountered. It was at the beginning of the trail that leads up to Crater Lake. There were lots of wildflowers along this trail but the lake itself was photographically unremarkable – at least in mid-morning when I arrived.

This wilderness is popular with rock climbers, although the Forest Service encourages them to look elsewhere for their thrills. The Maroon Bells became known in some circles as the Deadly Bells after 8 people died in five separate incidents in 1965. The rock that form these peaks is not granite or limestone but rather mudstone, a sedimentary rock that is often referred to as rotten rock due to its tendency to give away without warning.

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