Going to Denver Advise needed.

[dbiggs]

I will be going to Denver for 4 days in the second week of Sept and would really appreciate some advise on whare to go and shoot wit hthe limoted time I have there. Can anybody who has been there of lives there give me some specific great locations to set my sights on in the limited time I have there. Rocky Mountain National Park for instance is a no brainer but I looked up a map and it is huge is there anyware specific I should try to see for instance is the type of info I am looking for. Ware specifically should I go to shoot denver in the foreground and the mountains in the backgroud as the sun sets? Whare is the largest Camera store in town.

[Matt_385]

The Denver Zoo is cool. Also the Denver Museum would be fun if you like. Colorado Springs is nearby if you want to film the Air Force Academy. The academy is a favorite for tourists. :) Colorado is very camera friendly.

[FlashZebra]

In Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) drive from Estes Park up the Old Fall River Road (dirt road one-way up only) to the western slope stopping at the many scenic overlooks along the way for the grand vistas. If you decide to return to Estes Park, Trail Ridge Road offers more gland vistas as you decend into Estes Park.

You should be able to find numerous elk in either the Horseshoe Park area or Upper Beaver Meadows areas. Upper Beaver Meadows is also a great place for star trail shots or moon shots. Take advantage of the clear mountain air.

There are moose on the Western slope near the headwaters of the Colorado River. The park has several spectacular waterfalls (I think these are mostly on the eastern slope side). Alberta Falls is a very short hike just off the Bear Lake Road.

There are also all kinds of relatively large and colorful birds such as the Clark’s nutcracker and magpies.

By the second week in September, the grand crowds should have cleared out of Estes Park. Try to avoid the weekends. The Highland Festival in Estes Park is about that time. So, either engage in the festival if it sounds interesting, or avoid it if it does not.

You can certainly spend many days in RMNP enjoying the area and/or photographing.

There are some nice info links for the area at the bottom of this page:

http://estestrekstop.com/

And, I have a few images of the area at this link:

http://estestrekstop.com/wallart/index.html

Another really big issue, be prepared for very volatile weather. At the high altitudes, at that time of year, a beautiful 80 degree day can turn into a wild snowstorm with huge temperature drops very quickly. Also as a visitor, be aware that the altitude will affect your endurance, regardless of you physical state. But, do not let either of these things keep you from enjoying this beautiful area.

Eat at Sweet Basilica in Estes Park, get the manicotti (yum).

With Denver's smog, getting an image you describe in your post of the sunset will be difficult. Unless the perfect day just happens when you are there.

Enjoy! Lon

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Yeah hop on I-70 west toward the foothills... Great photo ops there.

The zoo has been mentioned. I was there two days ago now and I didnt take my gear with me... It was hot and I had other things to do where it would have had to stay in the heat for too long.

The musuem isnt a bad place either. If you have time, Colorado Springs isnt too far away and The Garden of The Gods is an amazing place to visit. I dont know if you have that kind of time... but it'd be worth it!

[Jon]

Denver and the mountains with sunset? Head east out 70 or 76 a few miles. About as far as the airport if you want to see the city as well (or pay the toll and go around 470 looking for a good spot). Is this "a few days for work", that you'll be trying to squeeze a bit of sight-seeing into, or a few days on your own? RMNP's a couple of hours away - if you're short of time you might want to try some of the State parks west of Denver.

[TwistedOne]

The Camera Trader is a very good store in that area.It is close to highway 285 & Santa fe...

[eenorton]

Like TwistedOne said, The Camera Trader is a good store. Nothing like B&H, but probably one the best shops in town. The info from londuck on RMSP is great! If you don't want to drive too far out of the city, the view from City Park is pretty nice. Can't get the whole city in (not that Denver is all that big) but it's pretty scenic... right behind the Museum of Nature and Science. This one was with a Pro1 at 16mm:

http://images18.fotki.com/v195/photos/6/64353/718742/_MG_9556a-vi.jpg