Shoot Guanella Pass or Garden of the gods in Colo springs?

[slitherjef]

My vacation starts in a couple days and while I am pretty much broke, I got enough to feed us and the wheels and photography is on the top of my to do list.

I got 2 places I would like to stop by and photograph, Guanella Pass (and Georgetown, Co) There is also a wildlife refuge a couple blocks by my house (that I recently found out about, its Rocky Mountain Arsenal) So thats a total of 3 places I want to hit up.

Sadly, these will be single Day trips since my Dad is disabled, But the 3 and a half hour round trip to Garden of the Gods, should give me some photo options and sadly, this will put me into high contrast lighting, unless I can time things just right or get there on an overcast day for some diffuse lighting.

I was wondering if anyone has shot at either guanella pass or garden of the gods or even Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

I plan on bringing my whole gear bag, monopod and cheapo tripod and hope the winds are not too high. I even have a circular polarizer.

If anyone has any shots they could show off or tips where to get some interesting photos, please share them :)

EDIT:
I think Roxborough state park may work better then Guanella Pass since roads may be messed up in the mountains due to snow

[sparker1]

I've been to GOG several times. Lots of scenes there, but early and late light is absolutely best. You can do other things around Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs during the day. Several waterfalls in that area might be good, if the day is overcast. I started up to Guanella Pass once, but the weather turned bad so I gave it up. Georgetown was nothing special, an old town like so many others in CO.

[slitherjef]

The weather pretty much put a damper on things so I did not do much. :(

[sanfairyanne]

I was in GOD last year and I went to the visitor centre and essentially copied one of the best photos in the park. It's a picture of the rocks but with the branch and roots of an old tree in the foreground. It's not too hard to work out where it's taken from, it's a little off the driveway but very near the kissing camels. I'd upload a picture but that's not possible or me just now.

[chauncey]

Any of them, but...don't go on a weekend...damn tourists. :lol:

[homersapien]

Guenalla Pass (Silver Dollar Pond/Naylor Lake, actually):
http://www.coloradoexposures.com/gallery/Silver-Dollar-Lake/

Guanella Pass is plowed to the Naylor Lake trailhead in winter. I've taken 2wd vehicles back there every month of the year. In the winter, you'll want a pair of snow shoes :) And please don't attempt to pull your vehicle over to the side of the road. I'm tired of pulling people out of ditches :lol:

Garden of the Gods:
http://www.coloradoexposures.com/gallery/Garden-of-the-Gods/

Just about any place you go in GOTG will have something worth shooting.

Roxborough:
http://www.coloradoexposures.com/gallery/roxborough-state-park/

Roxborough is lovely and chock full of wildlife, but the mud is a huge PITA in Winter/Spring. Seriously...every trail will be covered with it.

[syee99]

I haven't been to Guenalla Pass before, but have been to Garden of the Gods. I'd highly recommend it, but it's pretty chilly around this time of the year.

I also went to Seven Falls (in the same general vicinity of Colorado Springs), and I think there's some other attractions like the huts carved into the mountainside to see out there.

Since you'll be close to the Denver area, perhaps check out Red Rocks (though it's on the West side of Denver, rather than in Colo. Springs which is south of Denver). It's quite spectacular given the right time of day as well.