American Basin

[sparker1]

Located near silverton, CO, American Basin is noted for its beautiful display of spring flowers. Our timing seemed to be pretty good, as we saw many varieties growing in profusion.

[sparker1]

More scenery from the basin.

[jopfin]

Stan beautiful pics, when did you take these, the wife saw them and thought we needed to be there too. What about access, is there a road or a hike or.....? ..........Joe

[Leorooster]

Wow, they are all amazing shots. #3 is my favorite. Love how the brook leads to the mountain as well as the cloud in the sky. Excellent job!

[bigchef920]

I can smell the air from these pictures. Freakin' awesome Stan. It's shots like these that inspire a young amateur like myself to just keep shooting. These are some of the best pics I've seen on this entire forum. Thanx for sharing.

[Harold_L]

Nice pictures, all. I especially like the stream tonight, as we sit here hoping for any little bit of rain, and temperatures below 90 F.

Harold

[sparker1]

Well, I certainly appreciate the favorable comments. You have to realize that such beauty as we found makes it easy to get good photos.

Joe, American Basin is just of the Alpine Loop, a jeep trail between silverton and Lake City. We started in Silverton and had to go over Cinnamon Pass to reach the basin. The pass definitely requires a 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. It can also be reached from the Lake City side, which would be less demanding, but still pretty rough in spots. I'd recommend renting a jeep in silverton and spending a day doing the entire Alpine Loop. We did it on 7/6, so it may have changed some, but I suspect there are still lots of flowers.

Rob, you are too kind. Leo, I like the stream in #3 also, even though the flowers don't show as well there.

[RbnDave]

More great shots Stan. #2 and 3 have really nice compo.

I just got back in from Colorado this afternoon. Got some photos I am dying to share, but I don't have time to post till next week when I get back from work.

I'm jealous that I'm not out there for another week. Only 30 more years until retirement.

A bit of advice; when you're in RMNP get to bear lake for sunrise. The reflections are amazing. It's only a 1/4 mile from the parking lot and a 20 minute drive from estes park. You could get up at 5:00 am and still make it in time to catch the best light. Another great spot is the "rock cut" turn out of trail ridge road at sunset. I had some luck up there photographing the afternoon storms clearing out at sunset.

[boomer1959]

Wow Stan these are great :D

[bigun]

Everyda I find myself searching for your post's to see more beautiful pictures from CO. Please keep em coming!

[kenyc]

Stan, All great, but love the last two!

KAC

[Rick Baker]

I wish I was there. Maybe in September.

[sparker1]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Dave, hope you had a good visit to CO. I look forward to seeing your posts when you have time. I'm still several days behind, despite lots of time working on them. I just can't help snapping away out here. Thanks for the tips. I've seen sunrise shots and reflections from Bear Lake, so have planned to do that. You know how tough that is for me.

[tumb]

More great shots! Five more days and I'll be up there.

[sparker1]

You'll love it, Mike. Have you decided where you'll be going?

[tumb]

Stan - we will start in Salida, hang around the Collegiate peaks for a few days, then make the trip up toward Leadville and do HWY 82 to Aspen, then a couple days camping where-ever we find a spot. Then we'll stay the last 3 days at Crested Butte which is probably my favorite place on earth. I would like to spend a day or so up around Grand Lake and maybe RMNP but not sure if we can squeeze it in or not.

I can't wait, I'm past due for a vacation heheh.

[Learner]

WOW double WOW! 3 is my favorite as well. It pops right out at me!

[sparker1]

Thanks, Learner.

Mike, sounds really good. Hope you get great weather, I know you'll find lots of beautiful scenery.

[MarkoPolo]

Great shots, Stan. I think highly enough of American Basin to want my ashes to be spread there the 3rd week in July. Hope for not some time yet:D

[sparker1]

Thanks, Mark. I hope your ashes won't hurt the wildflowers. LOL And I hope it won't be anytime soon.