Photo Traveler's Guide to . . .
Colorado Rockies
Photo Traveler
PO Box 39912
Los Angeles, CA 90039
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Covers Rocky Mountain and Mesa Verde national parks, Mount Evans, Maroon Bells, Great Sand Dunes,  Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Skyway, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado National Monument, Rattlesnake Canyon, Hovenweep, Silverthread Byway, Toltec/Cumbres and Silverton/Durango Scenic Railroads, and more.

1997, 48 pages, $13.95
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Excerpt from guide . . .


Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake

   It is nine miles from the turnoff to Bear lake Road to the end of the road at Bear Lake. If you arrive at Bear Lake early enough, you can find a parking space. Otherwise you will want to use the shuttle bus. Unfortunately, by the time the shuttle bus schedule begins and gets you to Bear lake, some of the best photo opportunities will have passed. You'll find many dramatic compositions of peaks reflecting in various lakes, and these reelections are often only possible in the calm morning air.
   You don't have to go far for your first great view--there is a spectacular view of the mountains right from the parking lot at Bear lake. Even if you do not plan to do any hiking, at least take the short, half-mile nature stroll around Bear Lake. From the east side of the lake you look across to dramatic Hallett Peak with Flattop to the right looking to the west. As you move to the west side of the lake, you will be looking southeast to Long Peaks. Half Mountain is in the foreground and you can see Pagoda Peak behind it to the right.
     There are several trails that leave from this area that will reward the ambitious photographer. Here are some easy and very photogenic hikes.
Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake Hike
   Include a telephoto (for wildlife), some sort of close-up system and a wide angle lens (some compositions are tight on this route) in your arsenal of equipment. The route to Nymph lake, the first in the chain, is an easy half-mile walk. Dream Lake is another half-mile and is also easy. The hike becomes a little moderate for the next quarter of a mile to Emerald Lake.
   Get an early start on this hike--the trail to Emerald Lake will be crowded later in the day. The first part of the trail to Nymph Lake is paved to minimize erosion of the land. As you round the lake you have excellent views of Hallett Peak. The trail continues around the north side of the lake with good views of Long and Pagoda peaks. Pines along the shore provide some framing opportunities. From June through August the lake is covered with yellow water lilies.
   The trail continues up to Dream Lake. This section of the trail is stunning in mid-September when the aspens turn gold. During the summer, there will be plenty of wildflowers to tempt you. An early morning visit to Dream Lake will reward you with beautiful reflections of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. This is the classic view that is often photographed. Snow may block the rest of the trail into June. There is a short steep climb before the trail levels off and descends to our next destination. Now you are right at the foot of Hallett Peak and Flattop at the barren rock tarn of Emerald lake. This lake is glacier-fed and has a distinctive green color that will please color photographers. It is a good place to photograph squirrels, marmots, chipmunks, jays and nutcrackers--they are very friendly here.
   This route is also popular with cross-country skiers in winter.

Alberta Falls
   The half-mile hike to Alberta Falls is another easy (and popular) hike. It is particularly rewarding in mid-September when there will be beautiful fall color. You can photograph some excellent views of the falls. You'll find plenty of golden-mantled ground squirrels about to photograph as well, so bring a telephoto lens.

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