High on our list of 'must check out' for fall color in Colorado was Maroon Bells. We first visited the site last June when everything was green and then more green. We heard that the place was pretty spectacular in the fall. Judge for yourself.

This was the first image of my morning.  There were clues along the drive in that fall colors had arrived, but I could not see anything at the end of the lake that was assuring until this photo gave some indication of color.  I was stoked! — This was the first image of my morning. There were clues along the drive in that fall colors had arrived, but I could not see anything at the end of the lake that was assuring until this photo gave some indication of color. I was stoked!

A huge smile is on my face.  Frozen fingers and toes are worth it. — A huge smile is on my face. Frozen fingers and toes are worth it.

Must admit that at this point I considered going back to the car and warming up.  But, photographers were still arriving and I would lose my precious real estate on the shoreline.  I stayed put, jumping up and down and breathing into numb … — Must admit that at this point I considered going back to the car and warming up. But, photographers were still arriving and I would lose my precious real estate on the shoreline. I stayed put, jumping up and down and breathing into numb fingers.

When we first arrived Tom chose his spot for the sunrise at a location further around the lake.  He felt it had a better vantage point.  Different for sure.  Better?  Not so sure.  One thing for sure, we were not going to be… — When we first arrived Tom chose his spot for the sunrise at a location further around the lake. He felt it had a better vantage point. Different for sure. Better? Not so sure. One thing for sure, we were not going to be taking the same image!!

Just as it was!  Once the sun hit the very top of the Bells I started taking a time-lapse.  Once that is set up you have no access to your camera and just stand there (or jump around to keep warm).  Tom fills in with images of the way… — Just as it was! Once the sun hit the very top of the Bells I started taking a time-lapse. Once that is set up you have no access to your camera and just stand there (or jump around to keep warm). Tom fills in with images of the way the sun slowly descends down the Bells and will light up the trees and lake below.

While the most exciting action is taking place looking towards the mountain . . . looking backward is pretty darn good too!

I was hoping for more 'maroon' color.  The color actually changes as the sun rises.  It was more maroon later. — I was hoping for more 'maroon' color. The color actually changes as the sun rises. It was more maroon later.

The folks on the upper right are where Tom chose to set up initially.  The long line that is free of photographers does not have the vantage point needed to get a good photograph (my opinion, of course, but apparently shared by other photograph… — The folks on the upper right are where Tom chose to set up initially. The long line that is free of photographers does not have the vantage point needed to get a good photograph (my opinion, of course, but apparently shared by other photographers). Behind the rocks and all the way over to the left is where the prime real estate is located. Interestingly, by this of the sunrise many photographers were already leaving!!!

By now Tom has moved all the way over to the left.  You can still see photographers.  He has found an interesting foreground object. — By now Tom has moved all the way over to the left. You can still see photographers. He has found an interesting foreground object.

I am still trying to figure this one out!  Tom loves geometric images.  I am sure there must be an equation for this one. — I am still trying to figure this one out! Tom loves geometric images. I am sure there must be an equation for this one.

By now the sun is up and the remaining photographers are in a festive mood.  They take selfies, share gear stories, brag about how many times they have done this 'shoot', share tips, compare their images on the backs of cameras, etc. — By now the sun is up and the remaining photographers are in a festive mood. They take selfies, share gear stories, brag about how many times they have done this 'shoot', share tips, compare their images on the backs of cameras, etc.

Every one of us wanted a calm, mirror-like water surface.  Then, along come four ducks and create some patterns for us. — Every one of us wanted a calm, mirror-like water surface. Then, along come four ducks and create some patterns for us.

On the way out you may become part of a ritual.  That is, you stop at almost any barely safe spot and capture more images.  Or, you can even take a short hike to a pond, as Tom did. — On the way out you may become part of a ritual. That is, you stop at almost any barely safe spot and capture more images. Or, you can even take a short hike to a pond, as Tom did.

Just gotta stop.  Again.  And again.  And again. — Just gotta stop. Again. And again. And again.

Looking back into canyons was lots of fun as the sun bounced around leaving bright spots and deep shadows.

It does not happen often. When it does it is a feeling to remember. At some point I just stand there. I cannot click any button. I cannot move. I am paralyzed by awe, wonderment and an incredibly feeling of being loved by the creator of all of it. God is more present in these places than in any church I have entered. She gives evidence that She exists. When I look at the images later on the feeling returns. My deepest wish is that all people could experience what She has created. Perhaps we could start to learn to love each other. We are one of Her creations and we too must be as awesome. Every one of us like every aspen leaf.

One launching pad still full and one shut down.

For a just for fun comparison, this photograph was taken on June 16, 2016.

The image below is my personal favorite of the photos I took of Maroon Bells at sunrise. I stopped shooting once the sunlight reached the tops of the trees and returned to the car to thaw out!

I simply could not imagine that Maroon Lake would be clear enough to reflect Maroon Bells at the optimum 'right at sunrise' time. Plus, we read that you have to be there upwards of an hour before sunrise to get a good spot (the perfect spot) as it is a very popular photographic opportunity. Every lake and river we had seen had been cloudy, muddy and windswept. We decided to take a scouting trip a day before and check things out before committing to leaving Carbondale before 4 in the morning! The images below are from that scouting trip.

But, first you have to get there and Tom takes his well earned position as photographer en route seriously.  This is Mt. Sopris. — But, first you have to get there and Tom takes his well earned position as photographer en route seriously. This is Mt. Sopris.

Wow!  Arriving on the scene I was encouraged by the clear water coming out of the lake.  That emerald water in Maroon Lake caused me to hasten my pace a bit — Wow! Arriving on the scene I was encouraged by the clear water coming out of the lake. That emerald water in Maroon Lake caused me to hasten my pace a bit

Lovely, very lovely lake.  The bells, however, were gray.  The cool pictures I had seen of them showed them as pink or gold, even maroon!  OK, I was in for a very early shoot! — Lovely, very lovely lake. The bells, however, were gray. The cool pictures I had seen of them showed them as pink or gold, even maroon! OK, I was in for a very early shoot!

Aside from the 'perfect' spot to photograph the Maroon Bells across the lake, there are many other opportunities to get different angles and 'looks' as you walk up and down the lake's edge.  I think Tom used every lens in his bag!! — Aside from the 'perfect' spot to photograph the Maroon Bells across the lake, there are many other opportunities to get different angles and 'looks' as you walk up and down the lake's edge. I think Tom used every lens in his bag!!

The lake is located between two mountain ranges.  Tom shows the beauty of the east side of the lake. — The lake is located between two mountain ranges. Tom shows the beauty of the east side of the lake.

There are trails that begin alongside the lake.  We saw a steady stream of people walking up the trails without any camera!!  Perhaps their phone was going to record their experience.  Much lighter way to go! — There are trails that begin alongside the lake. We saw a steady stream of people walking up the trails without any camera!! Perhaps their phone was going to record their experience. Much lighter way to go!

These are the mountains to the west of the lake.  Spring green in full play. — These are the mountains to the west of the lake. Spring green in full play.

The next morning we arrived lakeside at 5:30 and there were already two photographers that had set up their cameras. There were still some nice locations. A couple more arrived after us. It was cold!! Very cold! Very, very cold. But there was no wind chopping up the water. The reflection was clear. I was stoked!! Someone mentioned the ducks out on the lake.

I was not willing to change lens so this is what ducks look like in the late blue hour, way out in a dark lake when taken with a wide angle lens!!  The ducks did not stay out there long enough to cause many ripples in the water. — I was not willing to change lens so this is what ducks look like in the late blue hour, way out in a dark lake when taken with a wide angle lens!! The ducks did not stay out there long enough to cause many ripples in the water.

Hurry up sun!!!  I was so cold and shivering so hard that I actually considered giving up and returning to my car.  The sky had lost its color and I had lost my enthusiasm.  Yet, the Bells were changing color.  Maybe, just maybe … — Hurry up sun!!! I was so cold and shivering so hard that I actually considered giving up and returning to my car. The sky had lost its color and I had lost my enthusiasm. Yet, the Bells were changing color. Maybe, just maybe . . . .

Finally, the sunlight starts its way down the cliffs of Maroon Bells.  The change in color is stunning!!!  I realized quickly that I was going to need to use a 0.6 graduated ND filter to properly capture the full dynamic range. — Finally, the sunlight starts its way down the cliffs of Maroon Bells. The change in color is stunning!!! I realized quickly that I was going to need to use a 0.6 graduated ND filter to properly capture the full dynamic range.

Wow!  It just kept coming.  My photograph does not do justice to the transformation occurring in that rock! — Wow! It just kept coming. My photograph does not do justice to the transformation occurring in that rock!

This is Tom's favorite sunrise shot of the Bells.

Stopped just one time before getting to the car.  Loved this reflection. — Stopped just one time before getting to the car. Loved this reflection.

Tom stayed behind and continued to shoot after I returned to the car.  As the sun rises higher in the sky the color on Maroon Bells continues to change. — Tom stayed behind and continued to shoot after I returned to the car. As the sun rises higher in the sky the color on Maroon Bells continues to change.

Tom could not help but take one last shot before getting back into the car.

I warmed up a bit and then realized that a great opportunity was right in front of me in the parking lot.  I rolled down the window and clicked. — I warmed up a bit and then realized that a great opportunity was right in front of me in the parking lot. I rolled down the window and clicked.

After shooting Maroon Bells we decided to head up Castle Creek Road and check out the scenery and a ghost town named Ashcroft.

We stopped at Ashcroft on the way down the from 'the end of the road'. This historical site is being carefully restored by the Apsen Historical Society.

On the way home . . . . still some decent light.

We had finished a long and fulfilling day. I needed to pinch myself to believe how lucky I was to be in the position I am in to enjoy this sort of day. Thank you for joining us on this day.

Maroon Bells in the Fall

Maroon Bells

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