Trip Overview

Our journey begins in Salida, Colorado for a group dinner, and our first sunset shoot, photographing the high desert environment with the towering peaks of the Sawatch Range in the background.

(Transport can be arranged from Denver if you don’t have a car available.)

We have all of the second day to photograph in the Arkansas Valley. Though our destinations will depend on local conditions and weather, we will likely head up Cottonwood Pass, where we can hike out the Continental Divide Trail and into a high alpine basin that is typically loaded with blooming Columbine, paintbrush, Arnica, and other species. Another sunset shoot that evening, and off to bed to rest up for an early departure the following morning.

The next day, we will head further west, climbing up and over Monarch Pass and the continental divide before dropping down toward the city of Gunnison. There we will turn north for the short drive to Crested Butte. Crested Butte is a justifiably popular destination for wildflowers. Truly, there are few places like it. Huge alpine meadows filled with color run straight up to dramatic peaks. Tiny alpine lakes, and tumbling mountain streams fill out the scene.

We have a full day in the Crested Butte area and we will spend it outdoors with our cameras and hiking boots. Many trails venture off into the mountains and through the wildflower meadows. We will spend the bulk of our time near the tiny, near-ghost town of Gothic, where the flowers are often at their best. And the sunset opportunities in this area, are truly spectacular.

On our final day, we will bid farewell to Crested Butte, and retrace our steps back over Monarch Pass to the Arkansas Valley. We’ll wrap up our trip around lunchtime in Salida, giving plenty of time to get back to Denver for evening flights or to extend for more adventures in the Rockies. Again, I can help arrange transport to and from Salida from Denver if you don’t have a vehicle.