Help, headed to Colorado Springs very soon...

[Clayton Wallace]

I'm headed to Colorado Springs very soon. I'm pretty familiar with the area, but I am looking for some good ideas for nature shooting there in October. Any good online resources that show current tree foliage and snow (or lack thereof)? Anyone live there?

[Seymore]

I left over a year ago. So, not in touch with the current situation. But, I would suggest a trip to South Park, west from Colorado Springs out Hwy24. This is past 11 Mile and Spinney State Parks. But, plan to make this a whole day event. It's about 2 hours (one way) from Colo Spgs.

Once you get to Divide, you could also take Hwy 67 up to Cripple Creek.

But, if nothing else... enjoy yourself. I spent 20 years there, and can say that there is far to much to do there in one journey. I look forward to seeing your PICs.

[barry]

be sure to go by the Garden of the Gods also ...

[amadjuster]

The Aspen are probably spent but the cottonwoods should be nice. They will be along the river close to downtown. I believe these are around Gardon of the Gods, also. If there has been wet snow and wind in the mountains, you will be walking on the leaves. You might try Sevel Falls, too. It faces east as does Garden of the Gods so this will be AM shoots. The Garden can be splendid as the sun comes up. It will glow. I used to live in the Mountain Shadows addition and had to look at the sorry sight of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods every morning.
I'd still be there but the natives are strange. Just not like us.

[Clayton Wallace]

Thanks for the tips!

[Abel]

Hey there... drop these guys a line...theyre from the area... im sure they can help ya out!

Bill
WLPelzmann

Mike
Nuke

Patrick
pfritzd

[Clayton Wallace]

I just got back from Colorado. I took 9 Gigs of photo in 2.5 days of shooting and am insanely tired. I really appreciate the tips here! This is what we ended up doing:

Saturday evening: flew in, went straight to Garden of the Gods and shot into dark. Neat weather patterns presented some unusual shooting options. Then went for some great pizza and terrible beer. My favorite shot may actually be my first one, taken on the way to the Garden of the Gods with my 100-400. Almost all white, mountain tips poking out. I was actually standing on the side of the road near the airport (shhh, don't tell anyone)

Sunday: Got up pre-dawn for AM Garden of Gods shooting, but largely overcast. Did get some good ones there though. We left there, ate breakfast than went out Gold Mine Road, up and over Cheyenne mountain (back side of Pikes Peak). Drove that for the majority of the day, stopping every 5 minutes for shooting. Caught the sunset just above Cripple Creek (awesome) with some storms just blowing out. Ate in CC, drove back to Colorado Springs via Divide etc.

Monday: up pre-dawn (barely) on a clear day for more Garden of the Gods shooting. Came back to the hotel for a late breakfast then headed up 24 to Lake George and the river for some great shooting (I forget the park's name there).

I haven't even had time to download yet, but will post a few here when I get some sleep and some time.

[pfritzd]

LOL -- I just saw this post.

We got some good snow last night (10/17) so you left just in time ... actually ... there are some real nice pic taking opportunities with the new snow fall.

Looking forward to seeing your pics

[Seymore]

I envy you Clayton. Sounds like you had fun. Glad to hear it. Look forward to seeing your PICs.

[Clayton Wallace]

I'm a bit swamped right now and haven 't had time to even rename them properly, much less sift through them. That is the downside to taking lots of photos right??? Here is one sample until I can get to the rest. No saturation or curves even added to this...it was amazing...

[bondarnes]

Ya' Rock! Glad you enjoyed your adventure.

[CalebSimpson]

Nice shot. I see you get the kissing cammels in the pic :). I was their earlier this summer but the weather sucked for the time I was in that area. We got rained on most of the week.