Monday, May 28, 2012

Hidden Depths

Thousands of people visit the high country each year to enjoy the natural beauty of the wilderness and the architecture of former mining towns. Roads such as the Million Dollar Highway and the Silver Thread Scenic Byway offer stunning views, and there are many ATV trails to explore, but I can't think of a better way to experience Colorado than on foot.



Hiking allows the backcountry to be viewed at a slower place, which means that the rich details of a landscape are not missed. Instead of an alpine meadow, the intricate composition of an individual bloom can be seen. Instead of a ghost town, the axe marks of the original builder can be studied.



Such 'little things' are the fabric of our world.


Thursday, May 17, 2012

In The Wilderness

Living in the mountains is quite an experience, but it is no substitute for spending time deep in the wilderness. Spring is a time of rapid change, and each week new shoots and flowers can be found (in my own yard, the seeds I've sown are beginning to germinate and sprout).

One nearby trail begins with a steep ascent through relatively heavy tree cover, which follows an old jeep trail. Moist ground and protection from intense sunlight allows some plants to thrive.


Oregon grape is quite distinctive and can often be found alongside wild strawberries in the leaf litter. Its purple berries are sometimes used in jams, and the crushed plant has been used for healing of wounds, although some sources suggest it can be poisonous in large doses.



The tree cover fades to give views of the valley floor below. Lupines and gooseberry bushes flourish on the exposed hillside, but the view is soon left behind as the trail follows a bend into a huge aspen stand, where fungi can be found in abundance later in the summer.

The trail is unrelentingly steep, but the natural world has a way of providing incredible sights an smells at every turn. Creeping junipers add fragrance to the forest, while translucent young aspen leaves shimmer in the sunlight.

Barren, rocky slopes are a sure sign that the end of the trail is nearby. After a final ascent, a collapsing cabin marks draws the visitor to an idyllic lake. Sheltered by tall trees and a nearby peak, the 12,000ft high lake is still partially covered in ice, while patches of snow are scattered between nearby trees.


Videos of the lake can be found here and here.

It is a perfect place to spend an afternoon in the Uncompaghre Wilderness. You can view several more images of the lake and the trail in my gallery.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Old Habits

The best and the worst part about working for myself is that I am entirely in charge of my own destiny. I wouldn't have it any other way, but after many years of working for others I am still learning to structure my days. Since I brought many dreams with me when I first came to the mountains, I'm still trying to find time for all of them.

Small town life required some changes for me. I'm analytical by nature and am quite happy in my own company. In a city, we can be just faces in a crowd, but in a small town there are no strangers. I like the change, but I have to admit that it does require some adjustment!

Photography seems to come naturally for me. I never tire of it, and will never run out of subjects here in the Rockies. Running a business, however, involves a learning curve. Marketing is a somewhat foreign, almost distasteful topic, but I have to master it if I am going to be able to continue to work in photography for many years to come. On that subject, I'm pleased to announce that I'll have gallery space for the first time this year! I feel like I'm fumbling in the dark but this year will bring useful learning experiences.


Everything is flourishing in the mountains, and if the high elevation snow has melted enough I'll be spending a lot of time hiking over the next few weeks. I hope to be able to bring you some great new images. If you've been considering making a purchase from FTHC you'll be pleased to know that you can use the 20FOR200 coupon code to get a 20% discount until next Sunday evening. This sale is to celebrate 200 likes on the FTHC Facebook page.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Spring Cleaning

Spring in the mountains is a time of rapid change. Every walk (or run) is a chance to see new scenery. Despite little rain or meltwater, the local flora and fauna appear to be thriving.


 If I can learn anything from the natural world, it is patience. As I continue to be busier than I could have imagined, I have to remember to prioritize and remember that, like the seeds I've sown this week, building a new life takes much longer than three months.

Since there are so many things to do, and time is a fixed commodity, it is good to review the ways in which I spend precious time. If I find that something (whether it be a business strategy or a part of a daily routine) no longer works or is not worth the cost, then I have to be objective enough to recognize it and jettison it. At the moment, the FTHC presence on a certain social networking site seems to fall into that category. I'll be sure to let you know of any long-term changes in the next post.


In our lives, we must not be afraid to try something new, even if (or especially because) it is a little out of character. Similarly, we must be bold enough to discard those things that do not work for us, even if it means breaking a long-held habit. Wasting time and creative energy is one of the worst things we can do for ourselves.