Music • Photography • Writing
This is one of the most recognizable views in Colorado, looking over the wild flowers surrounding Maroon Lake to the spectacular, 14,000-foot peaks of the Maroon Bells. Unlike most of the granitic peaks of Colorado, these steep mountains are made of deep red sandstone.
Less frequently seen, but just as impressive, is the view from the summit of 12,400-foot Buckskin Pass, looking across to Snowmass and Hagerman Peaks, as well as placid Snowmass Lake, at bottom right. Even at this elevation, the alpine wildflowers are beautiful and abundant.
The "sunflowers" in the foreground of the shot above are in the genus Rydbergia, the leaves of which grow barely two inches, but the flowers can be four inches across. In the background is Capitol Peak.
Combine a perfect environment for wildflowers with an unusually wet summer after several years of drought and you get an eye-popping display of color and form. The Indian paintbrushes pictured at right interbreed to produce blooms (actually colored leaves) of every hue imaginable.
Marmots are large rodents commonly seen above timberline sitting on rocks and giving their distinctive whistling call. These two dig by an alpine spring, eating the roots of the marsh marigolds growing on the right bank.
While the colorful wildflowers are a feast to our eyes, they are a feast to the stomach for the marmots that live in this challenging environment year-round. One can be seen in the center of this photo, seemingly trying to decide where to start.
I came across this porcupine munching on fireweed plants right by the trail. Other than turning its quilled back to us, it didn't seem to mind that I walked by within inches.