Beacon In The Night
In memory... Cross and steeple of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, on Main Street in Aspen.
On the night when I took this photo, the illuminated cross and steeple of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, on Main Street in Aspen, served as a beacon to me…
On this night, I hope faith is with our friends… While I was coaching an out-of-town hockey game today, we received some awful news: a parent of a boy on the team was told that her husband was killed in a small plane crash. So, tonight I pray that Christy, Dante, and the rest of Bryan’s family and friends can find their own light amidst the darkness of their loss.
Taken 12/1/2007.
Spring Runoff
Hunter Creek running high on June 1st 2008, with Ajax in the background.
This view is just a short 1/4 mile or so hike right out my back door. With the huge snowfall we had last season, the resulting spring thaw made for some pretty high river stages. This shows Hunter Creek running quite a bit bigger than normal. And, you can still see all the snow left on Aspen Mountain (Ajax) in the background, even as the trees down in town were beginning to really green up. Such a beautiful backyard, eh?!
Taken 6/1/2008.
Chapel And Shadow Mountain
after a fall dusting of snow on the Aspen Chapel and Shadow Mountain
The Aspen Chapel is one of the first picturesque buildings you see as you come into Aspen, right at the roundabout. It’s located such that there are great mountain backdrops in every direction, when photographing it. This particular view shows Shadow Mountain in the background; the front of which is part of Aspen Mountain ski area, and the Trainor’s double-black ski runs. There was good contrast provided by the fall colors and one of our first snows of the season. This was taken the same day as my earlier “Snow Is Coming” photo.
Taken 10/12/2008.
Last Run Ravens
end of day at Highlands, sunlight through clouds, ravens in lone gnarled tree
This lone, weathered tree really stands out, on “Deception” ski run at Aspen Highlands (double-black in Oly Bowl), and it’s usually a good spot for a breather after the first pitch of pretty steep moguls there. This was my last run on this particular day (happy bday, sis!), and the sun was breaking through the clouds and really lighting up the snow where I was skiing, contrasting the darker areas all around me. This pair of ravens up in the tree squawked when I first came down–and helped draw my attention to the scene–but then they seemed content to let me hang out too, and take it all in… another good day on the hill! (ski day #13 of 52)
Taken 1/19/2008.
Let It Snow!
First major snowfall of the season, as seen from my bedroom window this morning!
We had our first big snowfall of the year last night! Reports of up to 12-14 inches fell up in the mountains, and we got at least 4-5 in. here in town, so everything was blanketed in white and beautiful this morning. I guess as many people prayed for snow as voted for President-elect Obama yesterday… Well, at least I can be happy about all this beautiful snow! 
Bring on ski season! (And, I look forward to being proven wrong on the political front.)
Taken 11/5/2008.
Last Fall
Colorful Colorado in Fall, from the the back side of Snowmass Ski Area, on East Snowmass Trail
A little duality in the title there… We’re supposed to get a big storm in the next few days, signaling the “last (of) fall,” and the beginning of winter. And, this photo was taken a year ago, “last fall” when I was out here in Aspen to interview and find housing.
I was on the East Snowmass Trail, after starting on the Ditch Trail at the Campground Parking Lot. This view is looking up at the back side of Snowmass Ski Area. In fact, the ridgeline in this photo is where I hiked up in August of this year, along Sneaky’s ski run (see my earlier posts “Old Beer, Flora” and “Summer Ski Jump”). I loved the varied red, grey, and tan colors of the cliffs above, along with the bright yellow aspen trees and green conifers below.
Taken 9/29/2007.
Summer Ski Jump
Big kicker built on Sneaky's at Snowmass, still kickin' it in August!
This was from the same hike as yesterday’s post, up Snowmass ski area, near the top of Big Burn on the ridge of Sneaky’s. They built this huge kicker jump toward the end of the season, actually closed Sneaky’s while they were apparently filming some guys doing insane stuff off this monster. You can get an idea how big it was by how much snow is still left in almost mid-August. Would’ve been a cool backdrop too… with Snowmass Creek valley and peaks for a background (behind me in this shot).
Taken 8/10/2008.
Dark Sky, Fall
Sun on the fall hillside, with an evening storm looming provide great colors!
Since Fall is giving way to Winter… I thought I’d post some more of my Fall photos. The mountains and weather patterns here in Aspen really provide some exceptional lighting in the mornings & evenings. This was the view of Smuggler Mountain, as I was walking into my condo a few months ago. So striking, with the sunshine highlighting the aspens, as they are starting to burst into full color, and the dark sky providing the contrasting backdrop.
Taken 9/27/2008.
Snowy Winter Stream And Trees
Snowy Winter Stream And Trees
Since tomorrow will officially be one year since I moved to Aspen, I thought I’d share another pic from the beautiful day at Ashcroft when I finally made the decision to move up here. See my Oct 14th post for another photo from that day.
Taken 1/30/2006.
Route To Highland Bowl
Ridge hike to the top of the Highland Bowl
I can’t wait for ski season! So, here’s a photo of my favorite place to ski last season…
This is the start of the hike up to the top of the Highland Bowl (12,382 ft), from the top of the lift-served part of Aspen Highlands ski area. The hike up takes ~30-45 minutes (45 my first time, <30 on my last), if you don't take the snowcat (which I never do!).
This particular day featured fantastic skiing in deep powder, with cool but sunny weather, and some low clouds, which created the great lighting effects here.
Taken 1/13/2008.
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For a video which gives a good flavor of the Bowl experience, check out Highlands Bowl- Colorado’s premier “mid country terrrain” on Brightcove.tv
“Highlands Bowl on Aspen Highlands Mountain is the premier expert destination for expert skiers looking to challenge themselves.“
Fall And Winter
Snow and sun on the changing aspen leaves
It’s supposed to snow tonight, so I thought I’d share a shot I took last year, on an adventure up Basalt Mountain, about a month before I moved out here. It was probably the first snow of the year, and the leaves were still turning… the morning sun really made everything look beautiful, and it was so cool to see both Fall and Winter at the same time.
Taken 9/30/2007.
Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Patch at Aspen Community Church
It must be Fall! Took this while working the Pumpkin Patch at Aspen Community Church, for our fall fundraiser there. Come get your jack-o-lantern soon! Taken 10/14/2008.
Ashcroft Sunny Snow Day
Sunny Snow Day in Ashcroft
A great sunny day, after a big snow, backcountry skiing in Ashcroft. This was the day, two years before I moved here, when I decided I HAD to live to Aspen! Taken 1/30/2006.
Fall In Full Color
Fabulous Fall Colors in Full Force!
Aspen trees in full glow on Aspen Mountain ski area. View from Ute rock, at the top of the Ute Trail, while hiking to the top of Aspen Mountain (aka, Ajax).
Taken 9/28/08.
