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.
Old Beer, Flora
A very old rusted out pull-top beer can and flower on Snowmass
Saw this as I was hiking up the Snowmass ski area, along the ridge of Sneaky’s ski run. It was such a beautiful hike, with great views of the Snowmass Creek valley all along the way, but there were discarded beer cans in a few locations along the way; and seeing this really old one near the top, indicated that this has obviously been a popular party spot for quite awhile! I just liked the contrast of the old rusted can with the flowers there.
Taken 8/10/2008.
Yin And Yang With Mountains
Mosaic of yin yang at top of the Rim Trail in Snowmass
This wonderful mosaic—depicting the yin and yang taijitu in the center, and spiraling outward—can be found on top of the beginning section of the Rim Trail, just above Snowmass Village. Appropriately, there was great lighting from sun on the distant peaks to the north, beyond the cloudy skies overhead.
This first part of the Rim Trail provided a good short hike, with a bit of steepness to it, and providing great 360 views, with the option to continue on for the rest of the 6-7 mile loop.
Taken 5/26/2008.
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.
Full Moon Sunrise
Full Moon at Sunrise over the mountains in Frisco, CO
Full moon at sunrise in Frisco, CO (in Summit County, between Keystone and Copper Mtn).
One year ago today… I arrived in Aspen! One of the highlights of the 1000-mile trip from Illinois was watching the sun rise as I was driving into the mountains. The full moon set against the new snow on that ridge, as the sun was just starting to come up, made it rather surreal (that, or it was the sleep deprivation from driving a U-Haul twenty hours at that point!). I was so happy to be up in the mountains, just a few hours from Aspen. The view looking over Lake Dillon (near Keystone, Breckenridge ski areas) was pretty amazing at that point too.
Taken 10/27/2007.
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.
Peter Estin Hut
The Peter Estin Hut
Since my last post talked about my favorite place to ski (Highland Bowl)… I guess I should clarify, that’s my favorite ski area-based place to ski. However, I did my first hut trip last winter, and so I’d have to say the backcountry is my overall favorite place to ski!
This photo shows the Peter Estin Hut, about 25 miles SSE of Eagle, CO. That was the destination for our group in March 2008. We got lucky with perfect weather and skiing conditions, and even did a full moon ski one night!
For more, you can see the video of this trip, which I created from some of my favorite photos and video clips!
Taken 3/21/2008.
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.“
Departing Sunset
Amazing sunset in Champaign, IL days before I moved to Aspen
As I was packing up my house in Champaign, IL one year ago today, in preparation for my move to Aspen, I noticed an amazing glow outside… when I stepped out the front door, we were treated to one of the most amazing sunsets I’d seen in a long, long time. Everyone was standing outside admiring it.
As my friend Dan O’Brien said, “This sunset stopped traffic and had strangers talking.” He captured it even better on his photoblog at gct13.com!
Kind of a beautiful metaphor for my own sunset to my years back home, I’d say…
Empty Chair
An empty chair at Tiehack on Buttermilk ski area
Since the snow fell today, I’m thinking of ski season again! This photo is from one of my last ski days… taken when I skinned up Tiehack at Buttermilk, then skied down, one evening after the ski season ended. It was great, I had the mountain to myself, and had some great views of Pyramid Peak as I was coming up the ridge. In this photo, you can see Mt. Sopris below and left of the chair.
Taken 5/3/2008.
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.
Early Snow On Sopris
Early snow on Mount Sopris
I stopped at the scenic overlook on the way back up to Aspen after a recent downvalley trip (to engrave and ship the AHPI Trophy for the 10th annual event this past weekend!), to admire the view of Mount Sopris (12,965 ft) in Carbondale, CO.
It really is an impressive mountain; it dominates the landscape, rising 6,250 ft above the valley to the west in only 2.5 mi. A vertical rise of over 6,000 feet in under 3 miles is rare and impressive anywhere in the contiguous United States. And, on this particular day, the clouds and lighting on the peak made for an inspiring view.
Taken 10/10/2008.
Elbert And Massive
Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, from Uncle Bud's Hut
This black & white photo shows the great view of Colorado’s two highest peaks, Mt. Elbert (14,433 ft) and Mt. Massive (14,421 ft), from the porch of Uncle Bud’s Hut (11,380 ft), near Leadville, CO last month.
Mt. Massive was the first 14er I ever attempted, in July 1992, when I lived in Denver. We got up above 13,000 feet when a big storm rolled in (we actually got it on video, I’ll have to find that!), and we turned back; so I didn’t actually make the summit. Shortly thereafter, Mt. Elbert was my first successful 14er summit on 7/26/1992.
Taken 9/21/2008.
Sunset At Uncle Bud’s
Sunset at Uncle Bud's Hut
This was taken from the porch of Uncle Bud’s Hut (11,380 ft), near Leadville, CO last month. The views from the porch also included a great wide-open vista of the state’s two highest peaks, Mt. Elbert (14,433 ft) and Mt. Massive (14,421 ft). (I’ve climbed both!)
We hiked in 10 miles on the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail (the two trails coincide for about 200 miles), from the Tennessee Pass trailhead (near Ski Cooper and the 10th Mountain Memorial) to get to the hut. Then, the following day we hiked out a nice short 4-5 miles to Turquoise Lake. See more about the 10th Mountain Hut system at huts.org.
Taken 9/21/2008.
Pyramid And Bells
Pyramid Peak and Maroon Bells from Buckskin Pass
Yesterday’s photo showed the view from the start of the hike; so, this one shows the view from the top of Buckskin Pass (12,462 ft), from L to R: Pyramid Peak (14,018 ft), Thunder Pyramid (13,932 ft), North Maroon Peak (14,014 ft), and (just the tip of) Maroon Peak (14,156 ft).
Taken 10/15/2008.
The Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells Scenic Area overlooking Maroon Lake
So… I’ve referenced the Maroon Bells a few times, and perhaps a few of you aren’t familiar with this area… well, now you get it! Gorgeous, awe-inspiring, and dubbed “the most photgraphed mountains in North America.”
This view is taken just a short walk from the Maroon Bells Scenic Area parking lot, overlooking Maroon Lake. I then hiked to the top of Buckskin Pass (12,462 ft), and ran all the way down (~3.75 miles, 3000 ft)… ooh my knees!
Taken 10/15/2008.
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.
Sunset Over Sopris
Sunset Over Sopris
The sun sets over Mount Sopris (12,965 ft) in Carbondale, CO as seen from upper Hunter Creek Rd on Red Mountain in Aspen. Taken 9/23/2008.
Snow Is Coming
Snow on Pyramid
We had a dusting of snow last night, which really highlights the high peaks in the area, and made for a great view of Pyramid Peak (14,018′) as I was leaving the Aspen Rec Center after coaching a hockey game this morning. You can also still see some bright yellow aspen trees scattered about as well, telling us it’s still Fall, but Winter is on the way…
Taken 10/12/2008.
Mountains Grass Snow
Thanksgiving 2007 Great view from back of Aspen Mtn
A great view after hiking down Little Annie’s Road, off the back of Aspen Mountain, less than a month after I moved to Aspen. The mountain wasn’t opened for skiing yet, but the gondola was open, so I went exploring… Good exercise, before eating and drinking waayyy too much.
Taken 11/22/2007.
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.
Pyramid Peak On My 40th!
Approach to Pyramid Peak, framed by aspen trees.
Figured I’d start this photoblog with one from my 40th birthday solo climb of Pyramid Peak, directly adjacent to the oft-photographed Maroon Bells. This photo shows the approach, and lower subpeaks of Pyramid, taken at the beginning of the climb, just past Maroon Lake.
More info about the peak and the route can be found on 14ers.com.
Taken 8/3/2008.
