Maroon Bells' Crater Lake Photo

Photographer’s Note

We spent the day at The Maroon Bells Scenic Area in the White River National Forest. We walked from Maroon Lake along one of the trails into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness to Crater Lake at an altitude of 10,076ft (3071m). It is a steep and rocky trail which climbs for almost two miles up an ancient rockslide, mainly through forest.

Crater Lake, a ‘dead lake’ with no fish, is right at the base of the Maroon Bells. I cannot find any reference to why it is called Crater Lake. As far as I know it is not volcanic. If anyone has information you might like to let me know.

This shot was taken just before we reached the lake. There is a complementary image in the WS, taken from the lake shore.

Thanks to Reed I have now figured out how to use the map feature! The pointer seems to be in the trees, but you get a good idea where I was standing.

ISO 100, FL24mm

fabio_ts, Gerrit, saxo042, besnard, Royaldevon, asajernigan, Photo65Net, snunney, cbrman, ChrisJ, fulvio52, Floydian, Dyerco, TopGeo, saylan-cb, Cricri, JCG, Guenther, Philippe, gunbud, avene, UlfE, Graal, jlbrthnn, papagolf21, syrus_persia, riclopes, isabela_sor, chrisnet, josepmarin, mark_mk, ALIRIZA, stego, Emile, axiotea, plimrn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

fabio_ts (13674) 2009-02-13 1:59

Yesterday I've seen the movie "into the wild",
so today my eyes and my soul are very attracted from this kind of pictures :o)
as always a great picture with your trademark, compliments!!

have a nice weekend,
Fabio.

Gerrit (35687) 2009-02-13 1:59

Hi Kath,
what a beautiful landscape. I see the autumnal colors come early up in the mountains.
Excellent composition,
Regards, Gerrit

besnard (30624) 2009-02-13 2:10

Bonjour Kath
De jolies couleurs d'automne dans ce paysage lumineux et bien ensoleillé. Celà change de la neige et fait plaisir à regarder.
Merci pour cette belle image et bonne journée.
Nicole

saxo042 (15628) 2009-02-13 2:11

Hi Kath,
Interesting to see that autumn was already so clear, although it was just September here. A very beautiful landscape and strong colours in your excellent composition.
Kind regards
Gunnar

Royaldevon (5928) 2009-02-13 2:21

Hello Kath,

What a beautiful, golden welcome draws the eyes to this shot! It then naturally leads to the path and the tempting passage between the the sharply rising slopes; such a good pov.
The light is wonderful, and your details sharp. The dof has kept that lovely sharpness throughout the shot, a boon for the viewer.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

barni (14531) 2009-02-13 2:21

Hello Kath
Des belle couleurs vives d'automne.
Un beau paysage.
Have a nice day
Christophe

asajernigan (14120) 2009-02-13 2:31

Kath,
This is a fantastic landscape shot. The lighting and colors are great with nice sharpness and DOF. The angle created by the slope of the mountain provides a nice diagonal through the shot.
TFS,
Asa

Photo65Net (43084) 2009-02-13 3:23

Hello Kath,
Again a great landscape.
I like how you composed it, in a balanced and with beautiful use of the bright trees in the FG.
Have a nice day,
JB.

npecanhuk (13845) 2009-02-13 3:28

Hi Kath!
Light in here plays a very important role! By reaching those fabulous trees on the right the whole picture becomes very very attractive! Besides that, it was necessary to have the correct exposure and, yes, this picture has it! It also has great sharpness! The pov was extremely well chosen so you could compose it so nicely! I really love this mountain landscape! It's wonderful! TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

snunney (34830) 2009-02-13 3:48

Hello Kath,
A most beautiful well composed scene. The composition is well balanced and has a lovely blend of autumn tones. The little twisting track makes a good lead line towards the pine trees and background mountains. Very good light and superb clarity. Excellent photo work, well done.

cbrman (18845) 2009-02-13 3:56

Hello Kath,

A nouveau une splendide vallée colorée qui s'étend dans le lointain.
Les couleurs vives de l'avant plan sont un parfait point d'accroche dans cette image. On a envie de voir le lac qui se cache dans la vallée.
Bien vu !

A+

Dominique

ChrisJ (70171) 2009-02-13 4:47

Hi Kath

I bought a postcard of this place, when I was in Durango. A fantastic Autumn scene, with fabulous colour & sharpness. You were lucky with the weather here, too. Tfs!

rlrad (1187) 2009-02-13 4:50

Mornin' Kath,

That sounds like it was a wonderful hike - and from looking at the map, long! It certainly led you to produce some fine photographs, well worth the effort. This is another great example - I love how you captured the fall colors are so vibrantly and the leading composition. It makes me want to do this hike myself!

Thank you,
Reed Radcliffe
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-02-13 5:01

Kath, it has been way way too long since I have seen the grandeur of the western US and I know that looking at any shot is nothing compared to actually seeing it but your shot is very fine and it makes me long to go see again what can't be adequately captured on film. Really great capture.

Greg

Floydian (30970) 2009-02-13 5:03

Hello Kath,

Last day of dropping points here. I was done with packing in less than an hour, ready for take off ;-)
Although less spectacular than the previous version (hard to beat anyway), but i like the play with the composition that brings us far away in to the distance. colours in front and the mix of green and yellow on the slopes in the middle section bring the image alive.....very nice.

Regards,

Henk

[2] +

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-02-13 5:07

Hi, kath.
It definitely looks like I'll have to hike up in here... so, in the first place, thanks for sharing. Learning about the world through photography, indeed, yes M'am! Now, about the picture : once again you captured the essence of it, this even smells like Colorado, on top of a wonderful view. A striking array of yellows and greens, a piercing angle, and that feeling of natural majesty that one can't put down in words or pixels, featured only in a very selected number of pictures. Stunning, flawless job. Love it! Have a nice weekend, I'll be seeing you.
Fulvio.

rey316 (1902) 2009-02-13 5:28

Hi Kath
Just beautiful photos. Beautiful place. Exact details of the natural and good sharpness. Well done
Andrey

amaryllis (17457) 2009-02-13 5:49

Bonjour
Quelle nature époustouflante de ce paysage du Colorado plus que mrveilleux; des couleurs vives, l'aperçu du lac en bas , des sapins parsemés, une composition agréable à l'oeil avec une netteté remarquable
juliette

BlueRaven (35) 2009-02-13 6:11

Hi Kath,

Colorado seems to be extremely popular on TE today...
Great shot, wonderful colours, beautiful composition. This IS Colorado, no doubt about that. I haven't had a chance to explore this area yet but shots like this make this a priority for my next trip.
Great job, thanks for sharing!

Best,
Claudia

Dyerco (9062) 2009-02-13 7:14

Hi Kath
You picked the right time of year with some of the trees turning colour. The colours are well saturated and quite spectacular.
Phil

TopGeo (21765) 2009-02-13 7:22

Hi Kath! Are the all places interesting. Here the view and the FG impress.
regards
Georgios

saylan-cb (12726) 2009-02-13 7:48

Hi Kath,
This is a very beautiful view with the mountains are perfect and the very natural colours.I like this POV.
Haev a nice weekend,
TFS/Regards

Cricri (43092) 2009-02-13 8:29

Hi Kath
Trés belle celle çi aussi tout comme le WS, une lumiére qui illumine les couleurs, les détails et en fait un paysage agréable a regarder
Friendship
cricri

JCG (25291) 2009-02-13 8:56

Hi Kath,

With your previous photo is a true festival of colors that we offer you. Another beautiful landscape here, I love. Nature at its purest. Wonder what you feel in the face of such a beauty. The colors and light are once again beautiful, thank you for the photo gift Kath.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

Guenther (6837) 2009-02-13 9:13

Hi Kath,

beautiful fall colours, great view along the path and along the valley, the white snow spots and a gorgeous weather complete an appealing composition.

Have a nice wekend
Günther

Sistercosmo (2573) 2009-02-13 10:45

Hi Kath,
wonderful shot of Crater Lake. Everything fits here - the colors, the sharpness, great depth. I love the bit of snow still stuck in the mountain. Great shot!
Thanks and take good care,
Linda

coco (27842) 2009-02-13 11:00

Hi Kath.

What beautiful place and what nice work with the colours and the composition. Really great.

Thanks for sharing.

gilou530 (35172) 2009-02-13 13:23

salut kath
splendid colors in a landscape quite as marvellous for that which likes wild nature, and this voyage has of you to leave crowned memories well done
friendships
gilbert

Philippe (11773) 2009-02-13 13:26

Hi, Kath. There is a good contrast between the yellow leaves and the green of the spruce. The little path is a good lead into the picture pointing towards the lake. The ridge on the right makes a nice diagonal line and, with the other ridge on the left, gives a good structure to the image.
Have a nice evening,
Philippe

gunbud (27833) 2009-02-13 15:17

Hi Kath,
Love how the yellow autumn aspens move up the same side as the rugged mountains in the lovely V-shaped valley.
The cloudless blue sky is very flattering to the lush yellow hills.
Regards, Tom

avene (10978) 2009-02-13 19:15

hi Kath,
one gem after another, the colour of the bush in the foreground is a good proof that you've found a gold vein :) love the shot, especially the smooth V-shape of the valley, and how the tiny path leads the eye further in. superb quality too, great work.

best,
Kristine

UlfE (8972) 2009-02-13 22:16

Hi Kath,

Perfect lighting and POV and autumn colours are fantastic. Having seen so many of your pictures from so many parts of the US always taken in wonderful weather I guess that this must have been one of your best ever, at least from a photographic point of view. TFS and have a nice weekend!

Cheers,

Ulf

Graal (57885) 2009-02-13 23:11

Hi Kath,
unusual palette of colours, amazing great image from the wild nature. Fantastic landscape. I like it a lot. Fine WS also.
Gr., Aleksander

jlbrthnn (37863) 2009-02-14 7:48

Hello Kath,
It is rather single a lake without fish. The landscape is imposing, according to your practice. The image is framed magistralement, the colors are superb. Congratulations.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

gneufeld (15169) 2009-02-14 11:57

Hi Kath,
The clear and crisp autumn air can almost be felt in this fine image. Great colors and the clarity and sharpness are superb. Excellent work and TFS. Gerald

papagolf21 (56335) 2009-02-14 13:14

Bonsoir, chère Kath,
C'est le tonneau des Danaïdes le trésor que vous avez ramené d'Amérique, je reste sous le charme devant la beauté sauvage du paysage ; il ne s'épuise jamais, tant mieux, car j'apprécie énormément cette composition.
Un grand merci pour tous ces partages.
Amitiés.
Philippe

batalay (20898) 2009-02-14 22:50

Hello Kath,

I periodically visit your website to see your photos and refer friends to it. This image, rife with the colors of fall, and composed with all the salient features on display. I see that you are shooting at ISO 100. Is that the default setting for the D300?

Warm regards,

Bulent

Bartleby (4856) 2009-02-15 2:42

Hi Kath,
great landscape once again. This yellow really pops out at you and the scene is carefully composed.

Philippe

riclopes (32977) 2009-02-15 2:46

Olá Kath, never thought the map had so much detail - it really gives us a good context of the place from above. I would have doubts in choosing the image for main post because the WS is fantastic too, showing a wider view of the mountains with equally atractive colors - the yellow line of trees might be even more appealing. The water of the lake isn't that nice though and this one has more depth and a more interesting framing with the trail leading us through the image to the lake and distant view. Gorgeous idylic place.
ricardo

[2]

isabela_sor (42136) 2009-02-15 5:59 [Comment]

Show Comment

chrisnet (20374) 2009-02-15 10:13

Hello Kath,
Another nice POV, I like the autumnal colors and the superb light, very nice work, thanks Kath.
Regards
Christian

josepmarin (33785) 2009-02-15 11:49

Hello Kath,
I think that it is just thank you for sharing your fantastic trip for the USA, and to give us these beautiful photos of all your series.
I am enjoying very much the beauty of these landscapes that we see in your photos, as in this one, which is impressive.
And of course your excellent photographic work that always has a great result in the quality of the image and of the colors, and a splendid lighting, and that is a great reference for me.
Thank you very much, my friend.
Best wishes,
Josep

ahmetgedikli (21877) 2009-02-15 12:20

Hi Kath,
This is a perfect landscape with good POV and lighting. I like it.
Best regards,
Ahmet

mark_mk (246) 2009-02-15 12:32

Me again ;-)
Even though the other one is my personal favorite this one is just nearly as good. You were lucky with the colors, I mean these colors are just to die for and in combination with the great light you have you get one stunning shot!!!!
High class images, both are just great!

Take care
Mark

ALIRIZA (16197) 2009-02-15 14:08

Hi Kath,
What a beautiful landscape and very beautiful nature. I like the autumnal colours very much. Well done my dear friend...
All the best...
Ali Rıza

John_F_Kennedy (31355) 2009-02-16 2:53

This is a very good composition of the valley with the yellow coloured forest and the rocks in the backgoumd. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

stego (22352) 2009-02-16 17:30

Hi Kath,

Another preciosity in terms of compo, colours and, of course, the stunning beauty of the view. The spots of forest, namely that yellow on the right, combine harmoniously with each other, creating an amazing play of balances and suggested symmetries - yellow trees with the blue sky, trees on the left with the bigger mountain, green trees on the right with the BG mountains behind the valley, etc. I like also the inverted arches suggested by the lines on the slopes and the trees and the thin path that leads into the centre of the valley.

The WS is also a great looking image, that shows very effectively the beauty of the landscape. It's very well composed, I particularly like how the eye is invited to follow the shore and then the top of the FG hill, making the image very dynamic. However, it can't match the impact of this this marvel, specially because we see it afterwards. It's said that when we have several kinds of wine to drink at a meal, we should drink the less good ones first or they will taste bad after drinking the better ones, no matter the worse ones are still very good. I guess that the same applies to photos.

Regards, José.

Emile (19961) 2009-02-16 20:57

Hola Kath.
The colorful leaves on the right and at the slopes of the mountains creates a nice autumn scenery in this beautiful landscape, your POV is very good, great sense of depth and wonderful composition.
Best wishes.

Angshu (33637) 2009-02-16 23:51

Hello Kath
Good landscape shot with the main interest being the yellow Aspen & the green trees on the right 'flowing' towards the lake. Less spectacular than your previous post, but good in it's own right. What a beauty this place would be when seen with your own eyes!
Best Regards
Angshu

sacavem (8255) 2009-02-17 3:34

Olá,

Lovely landscape,Kath.The Colorado is an hymn to beauty.This is a well composed shot with good autumn colours.TFS
Well done.
Regards,
Filipe

xlgo (554) 2009-02-17 11:48

Hi Kath

Another classic landscape shot. Beautifully exposed as always with great saturated colours. Mother Nature at her best!!

Malcolm

axiotea (16081) 2009-02-19 22:28

Hello Kath
I thought the crater lake was form in a volcanic crater but here, you said that it is not!
Beautiful Nature, good light management and colors well rendered. The snow patch on the top is also a nice detail to look at.
Cheers
Marilyn

plimrn (19610) 2009-03-04 20:39

Hi kath,
I do like the way you massed the gold against the diagonal of the mountain leaving the trail to march into the open area. I'm also very impressed with your mastery of the map feature. Hope you're having wonderful skies on your trip
HLJ, Pat