During our recent vacation we did 3 hikes in the Rockies. One long one, two shorter. The variety in the landscape is astounding. The above photo, taken in Grotto Canyon, reveals the monochromatic scheme of the rocks. Greys, blacks and creams predominated, relieved here and there by tenacious and spindly evergreens.
Here, on the trail to Grassi Lakes, the rock face behind the waterfall is browner, warmer. The forest growth is more varied, more luxuriant, yet the driving distance between the trail head in the top photo and this one is about 30 minutes.
Forest fires clouded the sky for much of our time, but as we began the drive home early in the morning, the mountains stood out clearly against the sky. I snapped most of this one, and the next, from the car window. You can see the long slant of mountain shadows on the forested slope.
Castle Mountain, aptly named, I think.
Grassi Lakes (there are two of them, separated only by a very narrow strip of land), were named for Lawrence Grassi, an Italian coal miner who immigrated in 1912 and later became one of the area's best known climbers. He blazed many trails throughout the region including the one to these lakes.
Clear, clear water coloured the most amazing blue and green. I've never seen colour like it and I've seen a lot of mountain lakes. It was difficult to get a photo of the lake because the reflections of the mountains dominate. I wish we could have a blogger meeting up there.
Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary of the Little Red Barn.
I lived in Northern NM for a few years and enjoyed hiking in those beautiful mountains. I would love to go back for a visit...and maybe one of those short hikes! What gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteThe Rockies are magnificent. You captured some wonderful scenery and memories!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Simply stunning views!
ReplyDeleteWow those are amazing view!
ReplyDeleteKim,USA
Such beautiful scenery in our country. Love the colour of the Grassi Lakes water.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful photos of some amazing scenery.
ReplyDeleteYael
beautiful images from the Rockies. Thank you so much for taking me there. Today I have been looking back through photos of hikes through our southern forests. So wonderful to be out in nature's beauty. Have a wonderful week. Linking up to you through Mosaic Monday.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos - what scenery! Love the little double photo at the bottom too.
ReplyDeleteStunning Photos...what beauty is there ! !
ReplyDeleteAmazing.
ReplyDeleteWe visited Yosemite this summer. I would love to visit all great American National Parks.
Miss those majestic beauties! Going home to Colorado every yewsr J's very therapeutric!!! Wonderful post! Thank. You!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place to visit. The mountains and waterfalls are beautiful. Thanks for sharing your trip. Now I have another place added to my bucket list. Have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not a hiker...this would certainly be a number one choice to experience nature as a hiker. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! God's creation is certainly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting on my blog - it means so much to me.
You might be interested: go to www.lightfortheday.com (I use this for my home page, you'll see why). In the lower right-hand corner, click the left arrow about 5 times, scrolling through previous days' pics, there is a blue-green lake in B.C. If you click on the "i", the info will come up saying the color is from sediment in the water. Have fun! That website is lovely and thought-provoking.
Your photos are just gorgeous. The waterfall is stunning and that lake is breathtaking. I like your idea for a blogger meeting. Count me in :).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful area to explore on foot! Glad you took your camera!
ReplyDeleteSuch breathtaking loveliness Lorrie...God's grandeur...so soothing to look at. Your photos capture that...can't believe you took some of them from the window of a moving car! :) Thank you so much for sharing them...I truly feel serene when looking at them (and the others you posted earlier).
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tracey
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Your have such dramatic, breathtaking scenery in your part of the country, Lorrie. Castle Mountain reminds me of the mountaintop towns in Italy.
ReplyDeleteSplendid!
ReplyDeleteSo much majesty in the pristine, as God created it to be! We have spent many beautiful memories in the Rocky Mountains and more to come in 3 weeks and cannot wait...the images got me all happy~
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! And I learned something new here today. Alberta has both Grassi Lakes and Grassy Lake.
ReplyDeleteThe green against that grey rock is stunning.
ReplyDeleteCastle mountain certainly aptly names and the colours. Enjoying catching up with you Lorrie.
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