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Author Topic: Rocky Mountain National Park  (Read 5086 times)

jerrygrasso96

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« on: August 29, 2007, 06:25:01 am »

Can anyone offer me any particular photographic opportunities to investigate while I'm in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado? I'll be there the last few days of September and the first few days of October. I would assume that I still will miss most of the Aspen foliage...

Thanks for whatever help anyone cares to give me.
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sbacon

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2007, 10:30:36 am »

You have a good chance of catching the last of the aspen color. The dates you mentioned are generally considered past "peak" color. But if the weather holds, the leaves often hold on into October.

There are some nice views including aspens and Longs Peak just up the trail leading North from Bear Lake. Sprague, Bear and Dream Lakes are all very scenic. Also, the tundra up on Trail Ridge Road should provide some nice fall colors. Try the Forest Canyon, Rock Cut and Gore Range Overlooks.

The RMNP Forums? is a great resource with nice people. And be sure to check out Erik Stensland's Images of RMNP. He specializes in RMNP, has a gallery in Estes Park, and has some really beautiful images (he's also a good friend of mine).

Hope this helps.
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jerrygrasso96

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2007, 11:56:05 am »

Quote
You have a good chance of catching the last of the aspen color. The dates you mentioned are generally considered past "peak" color. But if the weather holds, the leaves often hold on into October.

There are some nice views including aspens and Longs Peak just up the trail leading North from Bear Lake. Sprague, Bear and Dream Lakes are all very scenic. Also, the tundra up on Trail Ridge Road should provide some nice fall colors. Try the Forest Canyon, Rock Cut and Gore Range Overlooks.

The RMNP Forums? is a great resource with nice people. And be sure to check out Erik Stensland's Images of RMNP. He specializes in RMNP, has a gallery in Estes Park, and has some really beautiful images (he's also a good friend of mine).

Hope this helps.
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Thanks so much for the detailed help! I am looking forward to the trip!
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theophilus

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2007, 09:07:11 pm »

I took this on September 28th last year:


Down where the elk are the aspens are at peak color, up higher, even around bear lake all the leaves will likely have blown off.
« Last Edit: August 29, 2007, 09:08:00 pm by theophilus »
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jerrygrasso96

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2007, 06:27:52 am »

Awesome picture Tommy! What time of day was that?
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DaveLon

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2007, 06:01:51 pm »

Remember that most of the park is above 8000 feet so be prepared to be very very short of breath for the first few days. Even after a week (in June) I was still finding I got short of breath very easily.

Still it is a beautiful park and almost any trail will offer wonderful chances and I found that the somewhat higher ones (above 9000 feet) offered wonderful views and hence shots of the mountains. Quite by accident, I ended up 15 feet from a beautiful male mountain goat who ignored me and when I caught my breath, I was able to manage a few shots.

Enjoy,

Dave S
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theophilus

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2007, 02:06:10 pm »

I think it was late afternoon, maybe 3 hours before sunset.  The light is pretty good in the lower elevations of the park except mid-day at this time of year.

Also I got much close to this elk, unfortunately I had left my 580EX flash in the car or I would have had a better result.  Had to use too much fill light in Lightroom.  I will probably purchase a Flash Extender (better beamer, etc) next time:


I took this with a 200mm lens on a 5D, just cropped on the sides so you can get VERY close to the elk.  I prefer the "animals within nature" approach so 200mm worked for most of the shots I wanted.  A few times a 400mm would have been preferred.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2007, 02:09:22 pm by theophilus »
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jerrygrasso96

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Rocky Mountain National Park
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2007, 06:46:45 am »

Nice picture, Tommy! Looks like the Aspens are already changing?? Where in the park was this picture taken?
« Last Edit: September 07, 2007, 06:47:43 am by jerrygrasso96 »
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