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.

DAY 3  |  CRESTED BUTTE
More early light material around Aspen, then breakfast and on west via the brick kilns of Redstone to Marble which is where the marble for the Lincoln Memorial was quarried. South then east toward Crested Butte via McClure and Kebler Passes to place us on the south side of Maroon Bells. Along here is a fabulous stand of Aspen which will be in the process of turning color while topped by the Ruby mountain range. On to Crested Butte for the night.
CRESTED BUTTE, 1 night

DAY 4  |  TELLURIDE
First light back on 10,000’ Kebler Pass for the scene we shot on the way into Crested Butte, but with the added attraction of '‘different' light'’. We’ll also photo-explore Washington Gulch prior to departing here, and then we’ll 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 Pinon 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.
TELLURIDE, 1 night

DAY 5  |  OURAY and SILVERTON
First light on 14,017’ Mt. Wilson to start our day then following breakfast we’ll explore Telluride’s ‘back yard’ which includes Bridal Veil Falls and more. 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 6  |  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, 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 particular photo opportunities.
MESA VERDE NP, 1 night

DAYS 7, 8 and 9  |  MONUMENT VALLEY
More Mesa Verde imagery prior to heading southwest for Monument Valley. This will be a unique day inasmuch that we’ll touch Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. If you‘d like to put 4 limbs in the 4 States we’ll pause at 4 Corners National Monument too! On via Kayenta to Monument Valley for the last light on this most incredible of array of red rock featuring the infamous Mittens. We stay at nearby Mexican Hat, and on days 8 and 9 photography will commence at dawn as we are guided by the local Navajo to accomplish many classic scenes in and around Monument Valley, plus those known by John.
MEXICAN HAT, 3 nights

DAYS 10, 11 and 12  |  CANYONLANDS and ARCHES
At dawn we'll be at the 'Goosenecks' of the San Juan State Park as they are touched by the first light, and where the San Juan River winds it’s way through tight curves in the multi-layered rock. As we go north today we’ll pause along the way to photograph local Indians and their wares. At Natural Bridges National Monument we’ll photograph two of the three natural arches that were formed there. On north to Moab to check-in followed by an evening light visit to Dead Horse Point State Park. On days 11 and 12 we’ll photo-explore the highlights of both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Early and late light in Arches NP is scheduled, and the short hike for the last light on Delicate Arch will be most worthwhile.
MOAB, 3 nights

DAY 13  |  To GRAND JUNCTION
We’ll ‘mop-up’ photographically speaking this morning before departing for Grand Junction. Taking the scenic route we’ll follow the Colorado River past Big Bend and Fisher Towers etcetera, and be on the lookout for kayakers among the white-water rapids. Then via Cisco to join I70 and from there it will be the fast track to Colorado National Monument for shots of the spectacular cliffs and canyons along the winding Rim Rock Drive.
GRAND JUNCTION, 1 night

DAY 14  |  Flights Home
First light at the Colorado National Monument depending on your flight time. Morning flights from Grand Junction following breakfast.