Molas Pass Milky Way

After spending the night in the back of my rental Jeep at 10,910 ft on top of Molas Pass along Hwy 550, I had set my alarm to wake up and catch the Milky Way rise up into the early morning Southwestern Sky. My alarm went off as expected and I jumped out of my sleeping bag to start shooting. I only had an hour of usable darkness, since during this time of year the Milky Way doesnt appear into the sky until around 4am and the light from sunrise starts to overpower the stars around 5. I spent the next hour driving along a ghostly Hwy 550, stopping every few miles or so to capture this beautiful sight. Its pretty awesome being in the mountains alone at night! Not being able to see your hand 5 inches in front of your face with only the sounds of howling winds, flowing rivers, and the occasional rustling in the distance...
Silverton Mining Road

County Road 2 just east of Silverton Colorado accesses miles of Colorado wilderness that is filled with waterfalls, ghost mines, and beautiful landscape!!! Make sure you have a Jeep though, as some parts of this road would tear your family sedan to pieces!!!
I70 Milky Way

While I was heading to Aspen to photograph the Maroon Bells, I stopped along I70 just outside of Avon to watch the Milky Way rise up into the early morning sky. The highway was ghostly accept for the random big rig, which provided a nice foreground addition to this image.
Mountain Milky Way

After spending the night camping in the back of the rental jeep at around 12,000 ft, I woke up early to capture this amazing sight!! Here, the Galactic Center of the Milky Way rises up into the early morning sky in southern Colorado. The peak of the mountain in the distance is Wolf Creek Ski resort, a small resort just outside of south fork along hwy 160 and just a few hours from Durango.
Animas River

The Animas River runs along US HWY 550, also known as the Million Dollar Highway for obvious reasons. This photo was taken just outside of Silverton Colorado, a small ski town in the middle of this vast mountain wilderness. It was in this town where Red Bull built Sean White his own personal private superpipe so that he could prepare to win the Olympics. During the winter months, the sounds of Helis and Snow Cats taking skiers and riders up to the peaks of this AK style terrain echo through the mountains. In the summer, mountain bikers, climbers, and tons of mountain off-road trails make this a truly epic mountain paradise!!!
Pink Sunset over San Isabel National Park...

I may have had a little help from up stairs on this one. I had a chance to stop for gas before heading over one of the many mountain passes in Colorado but with half a tank and only 60 miles to the next town, I decided to hold off. I was scouting for a prime sunset location as I crested the pass, when I saw a side road that intrigued me. I tired accessing the road but the plan was immediately foiled by a thick layer of snow that still had not yet melted. I had to back out and upon doing so the gas gauge magically jumped from 1/4 of a tank to empty and the gas light popped on. I thought I may have punctured the fuel line. After a quick inspection and not finding any leaks I was fearful that the gas gauge was broken and that I was almost empty. I hurried down the pass trying to keep as much momentum as possible and conserve every bit of fuel that I had left. I reached the gas station and quickly filled up. The sun was setting fast and I had to find a workable composition. I decided to ask the gas station attendant if she had any recommended spots that I could get to quickly that were "off the beaten path." She said, I know just the spot, but you better hurry and promptly gave me directions. After a series of turns through what seemed like a maze, I found the dirt road she directed me to and raced up it hoping that I would make it in time. It was 7 miles to the top and I raced up the winding switchback road drifting through the turns and reaching speeds in excess of 80mph in some spots. I barely made it but was rewarded with this absolutely amazing fire pink sunset!!! Without the gas gauge error, I would have never stopped at the gas station, and never would have discovered this amazing spot!!!! And again, It was soo worth it!!! :)
Wolf Creek Milky Way

The Galactic Center of the Milky Way rises up over Southern Colorado's Wolf Creek Pass in The Rio Grande National Forest...

Voted "Photo of the Day" @ Todaysphoto.org: http://www.todaysphoto.org/picture-of-the-day/milky-way-wolf-creek-pass/

Voted Runner UP in the NATIONAL PARKS - CAPTURING OUR NATIONAL TREASURES Juried Photo Competition held by Chasing the Light: http://chasingthelight.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/NATIONAL-PARKS-WINNERS-FINAL/G0000cs2UDg61FSA/I0000S2hyOQEww1E
Epic Mountain Wilderness, Galactic Centers, and Shooting Stars...

Taken about an hour before sunrise along the Million Dollar Highway outside, this epic mountain scene is one I will never forget. The light was just creeping over the mountains and minutes after this shot the Milky Way disappeared from view, hidden by the morning glow. In the distance you can see the light from the town of silverton at the base of the mountain and If you look closely in the sky to the right of the Galactic Center of the Milky Way, you will see a shooting star from the Quadrantid Meteor Shower, which was in full force this past weekend.
Leadville Nightscape...

This was taken just outside of Leadville, Colorado at about 11:30PM as I was heading back to I70 and Denver. The moon was just about to set over the mountains in the distance and was starting to turn an orange hue. I could see the mountains in the distance, however most of this was invisible to the naked eye. I totally guessed on the composition, as I couldnt see anything besides the moon through the viewfinder. I was amazed when I looked at my LCD screen and this amazing scene was revealed!!! :)
Molas Pass Milky Way

After spending the night in the back of my rental Jeep at 10,910 ft on top of Molas Pass along Hwy 550, I had set my alarm to wake up and catch the Milky Way rise up into the early morning Southwestern Sky. My alarm went off as expected and I jumped out of my sleeping bag to start shooting. I only had an hour of usable darkness, since during this time of year the Milky Way doesnt appear into the sky until around 4am and the light from sunrise starts to overpower the stars around 5. I spent the next hour driving along a ghostly Hwy 550, stopping every few miles or so to capture this beautiful sight. Its pretty awesome being in the mountains alone at night! Not being able to see your hand 5 inches in front of your face with only the sounds of howling winds, flowing rivers, and the occasional rustling in the distance...
Molas Pass Milky Way

After spending the night in the back of my rental Jeep at 10,910 ft on top of Molas Pass along Hwy 550, I had set my alarm to wake up and catch the Milky Way rise up into the early morning Southwestern Sky. My alarm went off as expected and I jumped out of my sleeping bag to start shooting. I only had an hour of usable darkness, since during this time of year the Milky Way doesnt appear into the sky until around 4am and the light from sunrise starts to overpower the stars around 5. I spent the next hour driving along a ghostly Hwy 550, stopping every few miles or so to capture this beautiful sight. Its pretty awesome being in the mountains alone at night! Not being able to see your hand 5 inches in front of your face with only the sounds of howling winds, flowing rivers, and the occasional rustling in the distance...
Molas Pass Milky Way

After spending the night in the back of my rental Jeep at 10,910 ft on top of Molas Pass along Hwy 550, I had set my alarm to wake up and catch the Milky Way rise up into the early morning Southwestern Sky. My alarm went off as expected and I jumped out of my sleeping bag to start shooting. I only had an hour of usable darkness, since during this time of year the Milky Way doesnt appear into the sky until around 4am and the light from sunrise starts to overpower the stars around 5. I spent the next hour driving along a ghostly Hwy 550, stopping every few miles or so to capture this beautiful sight. Its pretty awesome being in the mountains alone at night! Not being able to see your hand 5 inches in front of your face with only the sounds of howling winds, flowing rivers, and the occasional rustling in the distance...
See photo in original gallery.