Mount Evans – The Scenery

It’s been a long time . . . and I have no great excuse.  Just stuff getting on the way of me posting things.

This was one of them . . . my new computer. Updated my five years old workhorse to this beauty.
This was one of them . . . my new computer. Updated my five years old workhorse to this beauty.

The “old” computer is a very capable machine, but software requirements finally outstripped its capability.  Processing photos got to be a chore that took too much time, and was often delayed by the machine choking on the file size and graphic requirements of programs written by lazy programmers.

For those interested, here’s some info:

http://www.pugetsystems.com/serenity.php – the system I bought

Your Custom Computer Photos  – the e-mail telling me the computer was ready.

2012-Configuration – what I ordered.

But, on with the post . . . By the way, this is one of three posts about our trip to Mount Evans.  I was planning a single post, but there is just too much I want to cover.  This first post deals with the scenery.

On June 23 we took a day trip to Mount Evans. In part it was to get away from the oppressive heat, and in part it sounded like a fun excursion.
On June 23 we took a day trip to Mount Evans. In part it was to get away from the oppressive heat, and in part it sounded like a fun excursion.

Mount Evans boasts the highest paved road in North America.  That sort of claim is what is known as a “natural Disperser draw”.  How could I stay away?

Echo Lake with Mount Evans in the background.
Echo Lake with Mount Evans in the background.

Our first stop was Echo Lake, about a half mile or so from the Mount Evans Scenic Byway.  The echo was nowhere to be found on this particular visit.  There were a few people fishing . . . surly people they were, who barely grunted in response to our cheerful “good morning”.  

A couple of them looked less-than-stellar characters, and as we were out of sight from other visitors, I felt a bit uneasy.  Most fishermen do not sport gang tattoos, shaved heads, and the kind of attire they wore.  Their gear looked to me more like potential weapons than fishing poles.   I drew a small measure of comfort from the weight of my equalizer on my hip.

We did not linger; we made our way back to the car, and up the scenic byway we went.

There are more panoramas than usual associated with this trip.
There are more panoramas than usual associated with this trip.

Not only are there more panoramas, but I did alternative processing for some.  I also did not trim the panoramas to a neat size.  I left them as Photoshop created them, showing the ragged edges of merged files.  I’ve grown accustomed to their look, and even prefer it to the sterility of nicely cropped panoramas.

The SmugMug album has more versions of some photos, as well as many more photos than I will show here (108 total photos, each with a comment).

I also tried some artistic shots . . . this one from about knee-high.
I also tried some artistic shots . . . this one from about knee-high.
Lincoln Lake - a boring lake which to me looked more like a pond. Hence, I did me some post processing to make it more interesting.
Lincoln Lake – a boring lake which to me looked more like a pond. Hence, I did me some post processing to make it more interesting.
The road itself is not very steep except for a few places. That makes it ideal for bicyclists to be out in droves.
The road itself is not very steep except for a few places. That makes it ideal for bicyclists to be out in droves.
This was relatively early in the morning, so the traffic was light.
This was relatively early in the morning, so the traffic was light.
Still, the parking lot at Summit Lake was full, so we parked along the road.
Still, the parking lot at Summit Lake was full, so we parked along the road.

There is a short trail taking visitors to the Chicago Lake Outlook.  Along the way I snapped a few more panoramas.

This is a pretty area, and popular too.
This is a pretty area, and popular too.
This panorama shot is from photos shot in portrait orientation.
This panorama shot is from photos shot in portrait orientation.

I like shooting some panoramas in portrait mode because it seems more natural a view; more like perhaps the eyes would see it.

That's our destination, up there. There are people up there, but you can't see them in this picture.
That’s our destination, up there.
There are people up there, but you can’t see them in this picture.
But of course, I did not just shoot panoramas . . . a regular wide-angle of the lake and summit.
But of course, I did not just shoot panoramas . . . a regular wide-angle of the lake and summit.
And here we are at the Upper and Lower Chicago Lakes Outlook.
And here we are at the Upper and Lower Chicago Lakes Outlook.
The placard explaining what you are looking at.
The placard explaining what you are looking at.

The above is readable in SmugMug, for them who care.  And here is my panoramic view.

Did I mention I shot a lot of panoramas?
Did I mention I shot a lot of panoramas?

Again, because of the nature of the panoramic photo, you get much more by looking at the larger version.

To give a sense of scale, I took pictures of people venturing out on the various hikes.
To give a sense of scale, I took pictures of people venturing out on the various hikes.
Tiny they seem . . . tackling the mighty mountain who suffers their passage in silence.
Tiny they seem . . . tackling the mighty mountain who suffers their passage in silence.
For those who want to bother, in the original size of this picture you can see people looking down on us from the summit.
For those who want to bother, in the original size of this picture you can see people looking down on us from the summit.
Here I act like I know what a good composition is . . .
Here I act like I know what a good composition is . . .
. . . but really, it's much easier to just do another panorama.
. . . but really, it’s much easier to just do another panorama.
Before continuing to the summit I take a few more photos of the place.
Before continuing to the summit I take a few more photos of the place.
This is taken from the water's edge with my 10mm lens.
This is taken from the water’s edge with my 10mm lens.

Yes, one last panorama, and then we turn our eyes to the road we’ll travel to the summit.

And that's the road. There are more people on it now . . . crap.
And that’s the road.
There are more people on it now . . . crap.
Along the way up I stop to capture a few of the vistas.
Along the way up I stop to capture a few of the vistas.
I mean . . . I stop to capture a few vistas!
I mean . . . I stop to capture a few vistas!
As usual, I marvel at the green carpets of vegetation struggling to cover open ground.
As usual, I marvel at the green carpets of vegetation struggling to cover open ground.

There will be a whole post on the exquisite flowers that dot the ground . . .

These last few shots were from one of the many switchbacks that help the road rise in earnest.
These last few shots were from one of the many switchbacks that help the road rise in earnest.
The road is pretty narrow . . . luckily there is a shoulder. It's about 4 inches of loose gravel.
The road is pretty narrow . . . luckily there is a shoulder. It’s about 4 inches of loose gravel.
One does worry at these blind corners . . . people not familiar with their cars tend to hug the center of the road, leaving very little room for a Tahoe, with an annoyed driver, to safely pass.
One does worry at these blind corners . . . people not familiar with their cars tend to hug the center of the road, leaving very little room for a Tahoe, with an annoyed driver, to safely pass.
However, traffic is still light.
However, traffic is still light.

And yes . . . Melisa does not appreciate my propensity to drive with one hand, holding 2-3 pounds of camera and lens at shoulder height, and trying to both navigate the car and take decent pictures.  Most of the driving photos are taken doing 30mph or so, sometime as we round corners.

Eventually we come to the end of the road . . . still not quite the summit.

Looking up from the parking lot at the summit. There is a foot-path winding its way up to the summit proper.
Looking up from the parking lot at the summit. There is a foot-path winding its way up to the summit proper.
Half way up to the summit, I take a shot looking back toward the parking lot. Can you see our intrepid Tahoe patiently waiting for us?
Half way up to the summit, I take a shot looking back toward the parking lot. Can you see our intrepid Tahoe patiently waiting for us?

Those are the ruins of the visitor center that burned sometime in the last century (1989? – I’m too lazy to look it up).  In the background you can see the observatory.

How's this?
How’s this?

That’s from the summit proper.

That is Summit Lake in the distance. In front of me, just past the edge of the rock visible near the bottom of the frame, there's a big drop.
That is Summit Lake in the distance. In front of me, just past the edge of the rock visible near the bottom of the frame, there’s a big drop.

One of the problems with being near a cliff is that photos don’t give you the proper perspective.  You know, the “Holy FSM! That’s one big drop-off!” reaction.  For the photo above I am very near the edge, I have a wide stance, and am angled a bit so as to resist the big gusts of wind that want to push me over.

A small panorama shot in portrait orientation. The drop-off visible on the left and right is the same as what it looks like where I was standing.
A small panorama shot in portrait orientation. The drop-off visible on the left and right is the same as what it looks like where I was standing.

Melisa does not like me getting this close to the edge, but I make sure there is no one who knows me nearby. I figure strangers are less likely to want to shove me past the edge.

Those two are gingerly making their way to the ledge where I was standing a few moments earlier.
Those two are gingerly making their way to the ledge where I was standing a few moments earlier.
A better shot of Summit Lake and the surrounding area.
A better shot of Summit Lake and the surrounding area.
Here's a panorama of the people milling about the summit. The drop-off is right past those rocks.
Here’s a panorama of the people milling about the summit. The drop-off is right past those rocks.
This panorama shown a couple on a ledge no more than a few feet wide (he already on it, she climbing down to it). Big drop-off in front of them.
This panorama shown a couple on a ledge no more than a few feet wide (he already on it, she climbing down to it). Big drop-off in front of them.

The rocks visible on the upper right are where I was snapping photos.

Eventually we had enough, and headed back down . . . I stopped half way to snap another panorama of the area.
Eventually we had enough, and headed back down . . . I stopped half way to snap another panorama of the area.
One of the two signs posted near the ruins.
One of the two signs posted near the ruins.
This is the other.
This is the other.
My shot of the same view . . . and also my last panorama.
My shot of the same view . . . and also my last panorama.
This sundial (from 1941) also gives the names of all the peaks visible from this spot.
This sundial (from 1941) also gives the names of all the peaks visible from this spot.
This signage tells you how high the road is (the summit is a tad higher)
This signage tells you how high the road is (the summit is a tad higher)
<span style="color: #000080;">Here one of the rangers is giving a talk about mountain goats and mountain sheep. There are two kids next to him wearing the pelts from the two kind of ovines found on the mountain.</span>
Here one of the rangers is giving a talk about mountain goats and mountain sheep. There are two kids next to him wearing the pelts from the two kind of ovines found on the mountain.

As luck would have it, I was able to get photos of both sheep and goats . . . they’ll be on a future post.

This is the view of the observatory from the front. You're not supposed to cross the line demarked by the pylons, and I honored the improvised barrier.
This is the view of the observatory from the front. You’re not supposed to cross the line demarked by the pylons, and I honored the improvised barrier.
The observatory is pointed at this vista.
The observatory is pointed at this vista.
A proper front view.
A proper front view.

I could not find out if it’s an active observatory.  To me it seemed as if it was no longer in use, or being repaired.  Regardless, there is something forlorn about this building seeming pointing its cyclopic opening at distant peaks.

Also note the abundance of flowers dispersed in the green carpet of vegetation.  Yes, there will be a post just about the flowers.

By now more people were about, many going up or down the path to the summit. "Let's make like shepherds, and get the flock out of here" said I, stealing a Mel Gibson line of yore.
By now more people were about, many going up or down the path to the summit.
“Let’s make like shepherds, and get the flock out of here” said I, stealing a Mel Gibson line of yore.

Traffic was congesting, and it actually almost snarled into gridlock as the capacity of the parking lot was quickly exceeded, and people coming in were blocking people from leaving. I manage to force my way out (the benefit of a big vehicle), and we started to make our way down the mountain.

The wind was blowing, and I don't think this guy knew I was behind him. He made no effort to move to the side.
The wind was blowing, and I don’t think this guy knew I was behind him. He made no effort to move to the side.
What could I do? . . . I had to bump him off. It looked like he was able to catch a few of the boulders on the side, and arrested his roll down the mountain.
What could I do? . . . I had to bump him off. It looked like he was able to catch a few of the boulders on the side, and arrested his roll down the mountain.
Did I mention I love driving these roads?
Did I mention I love driving these kind of roads?
Except . . . you get these hesitant fu . . . er . . . people. They are riding their brakes . . .
Except . . . you get these hesitant fu . . . er . . . people. They are riding their brakes . . .
. . . and they hug the center line even though they have plenty of room on their right.
. . . and they hug the center line even though they have plenty of room on their right.
It makes for a dengerous situation as the cars heading up have equally poor drivers who are also hugging the center line.
It makes for a dengerous situation as the cars heading up have equally poor drivers who are also hugging the center line.

Suffice it to say I eventually made it around them, and all was right with the world.

. . . except . . .
. . . except . . .

. . . this was the sight waiting for us when we got back home.  From as far back as Denver we could see this huge cloud covering half the sky.  The beginning of the Waldo Canyon Fire.

And we know how that went.

The SmugMug gallery can be reached by clicking HERE.  It has a similar narrative, only expanded because there are more photos.

Thanks for dropping by and perusing my stuff.

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17 thoughts on “Mount Evans – The Scenery”

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  1. A different place, and post, than your usual colorful landscapes. I just discovered that I’m not a great fan of rocks but you did capture some great panoramic shots and your composition efforts did pay off, especially the ones with the yellow fence and those different looking plants (artistic shot, knee-high). Do you know what they are? They’re very interesting, especially in Original.

    And I just read a little about the Oh My Gawd Road and . . . I agree with Melisa.

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    2. After reading your opening comment in your second post of this series (Mt. Evans – The Woods), I reviewed the above photos and realized that I made a mistake in saying that “I’m not a great fan of rocks”. How could I not be when I recall that many of your best posts and SmugMug albums are of mountains and canyons! Yup, ROCKS!

      So, let’s just scratch that line out and say instead that muted, arid colors are not at the top of my color list. And that means that only a FEW of your panoramic shots appear pale in comparison to the usual and that the rest of the photos and narrative are up to your high standards. So you see, YOU spoiled US!

      I’m glad to have had a reason to review this post. I now realize that I had judged the forest by a few trees.

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      1. I struggled with the presentation of these. The problem is I have too many photos I want to share, and while no stranger to long posts, we are talking multiple hundreds of photos.

        The rocks would have been better received if I had presented the wide angle views along with the macros of the delicate tundra flowers that cover their surroundings. In those you would see both the complex texture of the rocks, and the tiny explosions of colors which cover the base of the rocks. It would give better appreciation for the environment they guard in stony silence (get it? . . . stony silence . . . never mind).

        Ultimately I decided to go this way because it’s easier (and faster). I still have many, many photos I want to document and post, and partitioning them offers up a better chance for me having time to do the posts.

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        1. Stony silence . . . got it.
          Multiple hundreds of photos? You meant a mountain of photos, didn’t you?
          . . . perhaps you’re making a mountain out of a molehill . . .
          . . . but I know you, . . . you’re solid as a rock and you’ll get this thing done!

          P.S. You know I like patterns and texture so make sure you include plenty of those.

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  2. Thank you for the mini-vacation, Emilio…and all of those panorama shots. Just curious…who had control of the wheel when you were taking photos of the cyclists and the slow f…ng cars ahead of you on those skinny-as.ed roads on the way to the summit? 🙂 I’m glad you made it down safely. That Waldo Canyon cloud is still amazing….

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    1. Whether in the process of snapping pictures, pointing out sights, or cursing other drivers, I am in control of the car. To be fair, screams of “You’re going off the road!!” help me keep some attention on what I am doing.

      “I know!” is my typical reply, as if that makes it alright.

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    1. I debated mixing it up . . . but there was just too much I wanted to show.

      The flora post is going to be long all on its own, and I wanted to give rocks (some of my favorite subjects) a chance to take center stage. I know few people like them, but I could not bring myself to break the news to them.

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