In the fall of 2016 I made a journey to Maroon Bells with hopes of a wonderful sunrise and calm winds. Well, my hopes were dashed . . . I was greeted with low clouds obscuring the sunrise and the mountains. Throw intermittent showers and a steady wind into the mix and all I could say was, “Well, there’s always next year!’
One year later . . .
The alarm was set for 4:45 AM as it was over an hour drive to my morning location at Maroon Bells just outside of Aspen, Colorado. Upon entering the park with many vehicles in front of me, I began to question if I had left early enough. It didn’t get any better as I approached the parking area where park rangers and volunteers were directing where to park. The primary lot was already full and I was directed to a parking space a quarter mile farther down the road. Fortunately, I was early enough that the skies were just beginning to lighten so I had sufficient time to reach Maroon Lake.
Once Maroon Lake came into view I was CERTAIN I should have left earlier . . . the shoreline was lined with tripods and photographers. There were well over 50 togs lining the shore waiting for the light. Fortunately, I found a section of the shoreline with no one occupying it . . . primarily because the shoreline angled back so other photographers would be centered in any composition. As the water level appeared quite shallow I came upon the solution to the problem . . . I slowly waded out into the lake and set up just off shore . . . thank goodness for Gore-Tex lined boots! I had a clear view in front of me and I wasn’t in anyone else’s way.
This view is looking over Maroon Lake with the lower northern slope of Pyramid Peak (14,018 ft) on the far left, in center, on the left, with its cloud covered summit is South Maroon Peak (14,156 ft) and on the right is North Maroon Peak (14,014 ft). The golden sunrise light is striking the eastern face of the Sleeping Sexton and a small piece of the North Maroon Peak. On the far right is the lower Aspen lined slope of Sievers Mountain. In the foreground, beneath the surface of the water,rocks and logs are visible.
‘The Maroon Bells are two peaks, South Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, separated by about a third of a mile. A US Forest Service sign on the access trail refers to these mountains as "The Deadly Bells" and warns would-be climbers of "downsloping, loose, rotten and unstable" rock that "kills without warning". Unlike other mountains in the Rockies that are composed of granite and limestone, the Bells are composed of metamorphic sedimentary mudstone that has hardened into rock over millions of years. Mudstone is weak and fractures readily, giving rise to dangerously loose rock along almost any route. The mudstone is responsible for the Bells' distinctive maroon color.’ Source: Wikipedia
It took a year to get the image I wanted . . . it was worth it!
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