give you a spectacular photo. If you didn’t capture sunset by the meadow, then continue on down the road until you find the view area. From the view area and to the east a large vista of Chimney Peak, Courthouse Mountain, and the West Cimarron Range is enveloped in gold. To the west you will see the incomparable Sneffels Range of the San Juans. On Highway 145 drive south of Telluride on your way to Lizard Head Pass. There are numerous viewpoints and wide turnouts to once again photograph the peaks and a lake or two, including Trout Lake, before you reach the rest stop on top of Lizard Head Pass. When photographing the lakes zoom in close and photograph just the reflections. Once everyone else is done photographing keep your camera ready and zoomed in, then skip a rock on the water and photograph the artistic and fun ripples in the water. A couple of miles past Lizard Head Pass stop at the next wide turn out to photograph Lizard Head Peak. It does not take much imagination to see how this mountain peak resembles the head of a lizard. Keep going on Highway 145 past the mining town of Rico until you reach Hillside Road on the left, close to mile marker 37. Turn left here and you will soon see why this is my favorite fall foliage area. As you traverse this great gravel road, vista after vista will unfold in front of you. This road is not heavily traveled, and it is wide so you can stop about anywhere on the side of the road to take your photos. As you look across the canyon, you will see the tall stately aspens which resemble soldiers standing at attention just waiting for you to photograph them. The colors will vary from light green to deep gold, and a variety of conifers will be interspersed to add to the variety of the endless waves of gold. The road keeps climbing and when it plateaus you can continue shooting the myriad of vistas and/or walk in the groves of aspens to feel their golden majesty. Find a nice bunch; lay down flat on the ground and with your widest angle lens or setting shoot straight up. The trees will converge to the center of your photo and you will now have a striking photo of the stately and up close beauty of these trees. Your drive back toward Telluride will give you different lighting, views, and photos that you will treasure. This area is great from mid-morning to late afternoon, and it will take you a number of hours to photograph and absorb all this Colorado gold. “There Is Gold in Them Hills”, whether you drive or hike in Colorado’s mountains. Take the time to enjoy and be sure to photograph those memories. △
Looking up through aspen gold.
Gold in Cripple Creek.
The former program director of the Western Slope Group, Rod Martinez currently acts as treasurer and trail steward. A professional photographer, he has been named Grand Junction’s Photographer of the Year four years in a row. Martinez served as project manager for CMC Press’s newest pack guide, The Best Grand Junction Hikes.
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Trail & Timberline
Trail & Timberline
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