The Gold Season in Colorado: A Festive Time for Professional and Amateur Photographers

America the Beautiful

Oh Say Can You See

It’s unfair that the northeast of America is most often credited for its fabulous fall foliage. I’m from upstate New York and know well the glorious riot of colors that typically explodes there and–in New England–in autumn. But here in Colorado, I’m doubly awed–not only by our fabulous flourish of yellows, golds, orange and rust–but also by the majesty of our mountains, magnificent peaks which appear even more awe-inspiring as the low-lying autumnal sun casts its brilliant light on our dramatic panoramas.

I gobbled up an eyeful of this magnificence yesterday when my boyfriend and I embarked on a hike to Lower Blue Lake off of Dallas Creek Road, situated beneath Mt. Sneffels, one of the area’s most iconic Fourteeners, measuring 14,150-feet in elevation. This is God’s–and also Ralph Lauren’s Ranch–country, made accessible to all thanks to an easement by Ralph. It also takes a sturdy, vehicle to handle the bumpy half-hour drive into the trailhead and a strong will and steady athleticism to hike the 3.3-mile ascent up to dazzling Lower Blue Lake. I’m proudly sporting the blisters today that I earned from  yesterday’s effort; there’s no doubt that it was my best hike of the season.

Lower Blue Lake Touting Turquoise

Colorado Gold

Aspen Sweep

Lined all along the drive and interspersed on the trail were folks cameras, tripods and mobile phones at the ready. I was surprised to see license plates from all over the country out in this remote part of the United States. But apparently those in the know, have heard about the spectacular color and light show that enhances one of the most stunning parts of the world every late September through mid October.

No wonder Eric Moore founded the Telluride Photo Festival, a four-day happening which he established during prime photo shooting time at the peak of our fall foliage season. This year it kicks off on Thursday, October 2 and offers a portfolio of workshops, discussions and events presented by renowned photographers from National Geographic, Harper’s Magazine, The LA Times, The New York Times and other illustrious publications as well as freelancers that have made their mark in the world of landscape, nature and even portrait and fashion photography.

Mighty Sneffels

Ranch and Recreation Country

If I was an aspiring professional, a working professional or an amateur photographer looking to improve my game, I’d spend at least a week in the area and have the Telluride Photo Festival be the highlight of my stay.

So Pretty

Casual leaf peepers visiting Telluride will enjoy the spectrum of photography exhibits showcased in town in conjunction with this festival.

All are sure to be inspired in one fashion or another, even if it’s just by doing a bunch of click, click, clicks on your phone.

Saturday Afternoon Siesta

I was yesterday on our eight-hour adventure and interspersed in this showing of images from the Telluride Photo Festival, you’ll find some of my own taken without any filters or special effects on my basic iPhone 4. Can you tell which ones are mine? It’s not hard, since I already told you the subject matter.

When the Snow Arrives

Thank you to Telluride Photo Festival for the rest of the images in this post.