Peak to Peak Highway 2013

Back out to shoot more foliage on Saturday.  Destination: the Peak to Peak Highway with former Examiner.com colleague and fellow photographer Kevin Staunton.  Problem: We didn't realize so many routes west were still closed due to damage from the recent floods.  We tried Coal Creek Canyon Road (72), Boulder Canyon Road (119) and Flagstaff Road before giving up, figuring God was trying to send us a message.

But on my way back home I decided to give Clear Creek Canyon Road (6) a shot and was successful. Sort of. Taryn had come with me, and when we finally arrived at my favorite vista just south of Ward I was dismayed to find that the aspens had almost all dropped their leaves already.

So did I just keep the camera in the car and head for home?  Pfft.

I actually saw this advice from another photographer earlier in the season who ran into a similar situation when out trying to shoot foliage.  But in his case it was too early and not enough leaves had turned yet.  When you can't go big and wide, go small and tight like this shot of leaves on a single tree.

The ground at a favorite stop was littered with leaves that had fallen but still retained much of their color.

Like, really littered.

Some snow on the ground deeper in the trees created a somewhat unique scene, too.

And there were still some bigger scenes, like at the turnoff to Caribou Ranch Open Space.

An impromptu stop at the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland yielded something a little different.

Turning off the main path is almost always a good idea, like on this dirt road that just made my photographer's version of Spidey sense tingle as we were about to drive by.  This was probably less than half a mile from the highway, but a completely unique view.

Sunbursts and silhouettes never disappoint.

One vista just north of Black Hawk brought the drive to a close.  Well, at least the photo-taking part of it.  And even though the day hadn't gone at all as planned, being open to possibilities provided some shots I'm pretty happy with.  Not to mention the chance to spend an afternoon with my daughter. :)