IntrepidXJ
08-06-2012, 06:55 PM
Saturday & Sunday, July 28-29, 2012
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO (http://adventr.co/2012/07/paradise-divide/)
On Saturday morning, Amanda and I took a leisurely drive over Kebler Pass to spend a nice and relaxed weekend in the Elk Mountains just outside of Crested Butte.
On our way, I stopped a few times along Kebler Pass to take photos of the many aspen trees found here.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7671899000_601db8bee7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671899000/)
Aspen Chaos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671899000/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
A view along Kebler Pass Road. It's been a few years since I came this way to photograph the fall colors, so I think I might need to return again in a few months...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7671891862_fb2982848f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671891862/)
Kebler Pass Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671891862/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After reaching Crested Butte, we continued through town and then followed the Slate River up to the Paradise Divide. This was where we were planning on camping, so we found a spot and setup our tent before the afternoon storms started. We had a great view from camp!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/7671998266_13061f95c7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671998266/)
Paradise Camp (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671998266/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After setting up camp, we took our time and drove down into Paradise Basin and then continued over Schofield Pass and then to Gothic. When we made it back to Crested Butte we stopped at The Brick Over Pizzeria for an early dinner and then drove back up to camp to relax for the evening.
As we drove back up Paradise Basin, I stopped for a photo of the dramatic light on Mount Baldy.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7672063814_1154cd8864_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672063814/)
Paradise Basin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672063814/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
There were a lot of clouds in the sky blocking the light at sunset, but some light did manage to peek through for a few minutes...and I was there waiting to catch it.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7673922020_388bd0d4d1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673922020/)
Mount Baldy Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673922020/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
A closer look at the beautiful light striking Mount Baldy.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7672548092_3a449ca3dd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672548092/)
Mount Baldy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672548092/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
While waiting to see if the sun would make another appearance, this rainbow appeared over the Slate River Valley, and I was able to catch it's reflection in the pond.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7672675790_1e8dd7f1bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672675790/)
Rainbow Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672675790/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Here's another Mount Baldy reflection I took before hiking away from the small pond for the evening.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7695223120_d0027e955e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7695223120/)
Another Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7695223120/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
The last light of the day strikes the Red Lady (Mount Emmons) across the Slate River Valley before I hiked back to camp for the night.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7722122996_d87b33aaa8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722122996/)
Red Lady (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722122996/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After a decent night of sleep I was up early to take a few more photos as the sun was coming up. I hiked back down to the small pond for another reflection shot.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7722039078_0bfd152178_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722039078/)
Paradise Morning (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722039078/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
The first light illuminates the Purple Mountain and part of the Ruby Range.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7687366670_df2edf2d2c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687366670/)
Ruby Range (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687366670/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
There was even the appearance of another rainbow over the Ruby Range.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7690675814_e1e3c8595f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7690675814/)
Ruby Rainbow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7690675814/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
I took a lot of reflection photos this weekend, including this one of Cinnamon Mountain after the sun had come up.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7687830808_4a8eb4f60d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687830808/)
Cinnamon Mountain Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687830808/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Before getting ready to break down camp and start our journey back home, I decided to climb the 12,293 foot Cinnamon Mountain which towered above our campsite. I started following a trail that looked like it might take me up to the peak, but it ended after just a short distance.
Here's a photo looking back down on Paradise Divide from the trail I started following. If you look closely, you can see our tent.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7721846086_ffe347c725_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721846086/)
Looking Back (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721846086/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Once the trail disappeared I had to find my own route up to the peak. As I was hiking across the mountain I came across this open vertical mine shaft. I'm not sure how deep it was, but it was filled with water.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7721869842_84f6ba923b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721869842/)
Mine Shaft (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721869842/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
To reach the final ridge I had to walk up this loose and steep slope.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7721896604_017f0aa2cc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721896604/)
No Path Up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721896604/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Once I gained the final ridge, it was easy walking with great views on both sides to the top of Cinnamon Mountain.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7687687354_6be17ff75f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687687354/)
Cinnamon Mountain Ridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687687354/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
A view of Purple Mountain from the ridge with Yule Pass in the notch to it's right.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7722006258_7b46cee6fa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722006258/)
Purple Mountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722006258/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Treasury Mountain is found on the other side of Yule Pass.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7721979642_9942e06a91_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721979642/)
Treasury Mountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721979642/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After hiking back down, we took down camp and left Paradise Divide to start the drive home. Cinnamon Mountain is behind my Jeep in this photo and you can see Yule Pass to the left.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/7694471854_9969dd9e49_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7694471854/)
Leaving Paradise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7694471854/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
We drove back through Crested Butte and took Kebler Pass back again. I stopped at this nice view of East Beckwith Mountain and think I might return to it in the fall for a photo when the colors are going off.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/7673908428_94b64c0b38_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673908428/)
East Beckwith Mountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673908428/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
An aspen grows out of a large patch of bright green ferns.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7673912658_437d293551_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673912658/)
Green & White (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673912658/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Surrounded by aspens on our drive home.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7687713734_0a3487749c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687713734/)
Under the Trees (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687713734/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
It was another nice weekend spent camping and relaxing in the mountains. It doesn't hurt that there was also some nice light and a few cool rainbows, too!
>> Paradise Divide Photo Gallery (http://flic.kr/s/aHsjB1viTs)
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO (http://adventr.co/2012/07/paradise-divide/)
On Saturday morning, Amanda and I took a leisurely drive over Kebler Pass to spend a nice and relaxed weekend in the Elk Mountains just outside of Crested Butte.
On our way, I stopped a few times along Kebler Pass to take photos of the many aspen trees found here.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7671899000_601db8bee7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671899000/)
Aspen Chaos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671899000/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
A view along Kebler Pass Road. It's been a few years since I came this way to photograph the fall colors, so I think I might need to return again in a few months...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7671891862_fb2982848f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671891862/)
Kebler Pass Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671891862/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After reaching Crested Butte, we continued through town and then followed the Slate River up to the Paradise Divide. This was where we were planning on camping, so we found a spot and setup our tent before the afternoon storms started. We had a great view from camp!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/7671998266_13061f95c7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671998266/)
Paradise Camp (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7671998266/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After setting up camp, we took our time and drove down into Paradise Basin and then continued over Schofield Pass and then to Gothic. When we made it back to Crested Butte we stopped at The Brick Over Pizzeria for an early dinner and then drove back up to camp to relax for the evening.
As we drove back up Paradise Basin, I stopped for a photo of the dramatic light on Mount Baldy.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7672063814_1154cd8864_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672063814/)
Paradise Basin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672063814/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
There were a lot of clouds in the sky blocking the light at sunset, but some light did manage to peek through for a few minutes...and I was there waiting to catch it.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7673922020_388bd0d4d1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673922020/)
Mount Baldy Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673922020/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
A closer look at the beautiful light striking Mount Baldy.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7672548092_3a449ca3dd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672548092/)
Mount Baldy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672548092/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
While waiting to see if the sun would make another appearance, this rainbow appeared over the Slate River Valley, and I was able to catch it's reflection in the pond.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7672675790_1e8dd7f1bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672675790/)
Rainbow Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7672675790/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Here's another Mount Baldy reflection I took before hiking away from the small pond for the evening.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7695223120_d0027e955e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7695223120/)
Another Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7695223120/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
The last light of the day strikes the Red Lady (Mount Emmons) across the Slate River Valley before I hiked back to camp for the night.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7722122996_d87b33aaa8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722122996/)
Red Lady (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722122996/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After a decent night of sleep I was up early to take a few more photos as the sun was coming up. I hiked back down to the small pond for another reflection shot.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7722039078_0bfd152178_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722039078/)
Paradise Morning (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722039078/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
The first light illuminates the Purple Mountain and part of the Ruby Range.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7687366670_df2edf2d2c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687366670/)
Ruby Range (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687366670/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
There was even the appearance of another rainbow over the Ruby Range.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7690675814_e1e3c8595f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7690675814/)
Ruby Rainbow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7690675814/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
I took a lot of reflection photos this weekend, including this one of Cinnamon Mountain after the sun had come up.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7687830808_4a8eb4f60d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687830808/)
Cinnamon Mountain Reflection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687830808/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Before getting ready to break down camp and start our journey back home, I decided to climb the 12,293 foot Cinnamon Mountain which towered above our campsite. I started following a trail that looked like it might take me up to the peak, but it ended after just a short distance.
Here's a photo looking back down on Paradise Divide from the trail I started following. If you look closely, you can see our tent.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7721846086_ffe347c725_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721846086/)
Looking Back (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721846086/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Once the trail disappeared I had to find my own route up to the peak. As I was hiking across the mountain I came across this open vertical mine shaft. I'm not sure how deep it was, but it was filled with water.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7721869842_84f6ba923b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721869842/)
Mine Shaft (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721869842/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
To reach the final ridge I had to walk up this loose and steep slope.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7721896604_017f0aa2cc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721896604/)
No Path Up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721896604/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Once I gained the final ridge, it was easy walking with great views on both sides to the top of Cinnamon Mountain.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7687687354_6be17ff75f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687687354/)
Cinnamon Mountain Ridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687687354/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
A view of Purple Mountain from the ridge with Yule Pass in the notch to it's right.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7722006258_7b46cee6fa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722006258/)
Purple Mountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7722006258/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Treasury Mountain is found on the other side of Yule Pass.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7721979642_9942e06a91_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721979642/)
Treasury Mountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7721979642/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
After hiking back down, we took down camp and left Paradise Divide to start the drive home. Cinnamon Mountain is behind my Jeep in this photo and you can see Yule Pass to the left.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/7694471854_9969dd9e49_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7694471854/)
Leaving Paradise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7694471854/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
We drove back through Crested Butte and took Kebler Pass back again. I stopped at this nice view of East Beckwith Mountain and think I might return to it in the fall for a photo when the colors are going off.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/7673908428_94b64c0b38_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673908428/)
East Beckwith Mountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673908428/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
An aspen grows out of a large patch of bright green ferns.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7673912658_437d293551_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673912658/)
Green & White (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7673912658/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
Surrounded by aspens on our drive home.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7687713734_0a3487749c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687713734/)
Under the Trees (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7687713734/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr
It was another nice weekend spent camping and relaxing in the mountains. It doesn't hurt that there was also some nice light and a few cool rainbows, too!
>> Paradise Divide Photo Gallery (http://flic.kr/s/aHsjB1viTs)