OVERVIEW: Our exploration America's 'roof top' will bring diverse photo subjects such as wildlife, ghost towns, waterfalls, spectacular stands of colorful Aspen trees, and breathtaking mountain landscapes etcetera. Colorado is a name that is up there with the best of them when it comes to destinations that Americans would most like to visit. The difference is that Colorado will linger on the palette many times longer than most of it’s natural and man-made competition.

OVERSEAS TRAVEL
o It is recommended that clients arrive a day early to be fresh for the trip, and to counteract possible flight delays.
o Early arrival also enables you to explore the gateway city should you wish to do so.
o Please note that the last day of the trip above, is the day you fly home. Please arrange your flights accordingly.

Clients from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Australasia should depart their home country a day or two prior to Day 1, so that the commencement of this photography tour isn't missed.

DAYS 1, 2, and 3  |  ROCKY MOUNTAIN N. P.
I'll meet your midday flights into Denver, and then away via Boulder and Muggins Gulch to Estes Park on the doorstep of Rocky Mountain national park, which is dominated by 14,256’ Long’s Peak.
On days 2 and 3 our park highlights will include Trail Ridge Road, Fall River Canyon, Chasm Falls, Nymph Lake, and wildlife including Elk, Coyote, Big Horn Sheep, Marmot, semi-tame Ravens and much more.
ESTES PARK, 3 nights

DAYS 4 and 5  |  ASPEN and MAROON BELLS
More dawn light photography prior to leaving the Rocky Mountain national park area today, we’ll return south on the opposite side of the continental divide, and via Interstate 70 to start our zigzag of mountain passes with Guanella Pass. Mt. Evans will appear in the east as we move on to Boreas Pass, a former railroad bed on which Elephants used to push circus trains to Breckenridge on the northeastern slope. Via Leadville with it’s ghost and modern town mix, to turn west under Colorado’s highest peak, Mt. Elbert at 14,433’. Over Independence pass as the late light warms up, and onto Aspen for our 2 night stay.
On Day 5 we’ll rise early for the first light on the Maroon Bells . . . a Colorado classic with mountain peaks, lake, and fabulously colored Aspen groves. Marmot and Mule Deer are easy to shoot here. While in the Aspen area we’ll also explore Independence and Ashcroft ghost towns, Pyramid Peak, Seven Castles and more.
ASPEN, 2 nights

DAY 6  |  MARBLE, CRYSTAL MILL and CRESTED BUTTE
Another sunrise excursion to start Day 6 followed by breakfast, then on the road to Marble via the brick kilns of Redstone. Marble provided the marble for the Lincoln Memorial, and from here we'll take a detour over rugged terrain for the classic Crystal Mill shot on the Crystal River. Via McClure Pass and onto Kebler Pass where shoot the largest stand of in-color Aspen trees you'll ever lay eyes on. We'll photograph around Crested Butte both this evening and early on Day 7.
CRESTED BUTTE, 1 night

DAYS 7 and 8  |  CRESTED BUTTE and TELLURIDE
First light back on 10,000 Kebler Pass for similar scenes we shot on the way into Crested Butte, but with the added attraction of early light. We’ll explore Washington Gulch prior to departing Crested Butte and wind our way through more Aspen stands prior to our next scheduled stop at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This deep and narrow canyon, which is 1,700’ to 2,400’ in depth, is a mixture of stark Piñon trees, rock and subtle colors. Over the colorful Dallas Divide with awesome scenery to slow us all the way to Telluride including rustic fences leading in to San Juan Mountains topped by Mt. Sneffels at 14,150’. Evening light from the Last Dollar Road will be memorable with Mt. Wilson and barns the main feature.
On Day 8 we’ll make early and late runs to the Last Dollar Road, which will provide classics topped by distant Mt. Wilson. Bridal Veil Falls will also be a feature while we are in the Telluride area, plus much more.
TELLURIDE, 2 nights

DAY 9  |  OURAY and SILVERTON
First light on 14,017’ Mt. Wilson to start our day then following breakfast we’ll head back slowly over the Dallas Divide with more photo-stops scheduled, then on to Ouray. From there we’ll glean many images from our detour onto the Yankee Boy Basin Road including waterfalls, ‘ghost towns’, and glaciated peaks that hover at over 13,000’. We’ll then turn south onto the ‘Million Dollar Highway’ with photography stops on Red Mountain Pass, and on to the old mining community of Silverton for the night.
SILVERTON, 1 night

DAY 10  |  MESA VERDE
Silverton hasn’t changed a whole lot since the gold-mining heydays of the late 1800’s and we’ll get some ‘old west’ flavor of the town while bathed in the early light. A rendezvous for a series of pictures with the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad locomotive that photogenically winds it’s way through the San Juan mountains to Silverton will be a highlight of the morning prior to continuing south on the ‘Million Dollar Highway’ to Durango. On west to Mesa Verde National Park to check-in, and venture out for photography in the warm evening light. The 4,000 plus sandstone ruins of cliff dwellings formerly inhabited by the Anasazi Indians will provide many classic shots. There are many points of interest among the dwellings built 600-1300 AD, and the better known ones such as Square Tower House will be mixed in with the lesser known spots. Expect some stair and ladder climbing for specific photo opportunities.
MESA VERDE NP, 1 night

DAY 11  |  Flights home
Back to the Anasazi rock dwellings during the first hour of light, then after breakfast we'll head for Cortez airport for your flights home. A flight departure after 1 pm is recommended. Free transport to New Mexico is available for those taking the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta photography workshop.