CO Archives

East Inlet Trail Rocky Mountain National Park

I finally got a reservation to backpack the East Inlet Trail of Rocky Mountain National Park. Highlights include Adams Falls and a chain of five lakes. I made it to four of the lakes. My favorite was Spirit Lake. I also caught multiple brook trout in Lake Verna and Spirit Lake.

Trail Description

The trail starts out very easy. Adams Falls is accessed after about 1/3 mile on a short spur trail. It is a large cascade type waterfall. The trail continues east as it skirts the north side of a large meadow for about 2 miles. The trail here is nice and level but don’t be deceived. A steep trek awaits. About the 2.5 mile mark, you will pass the Lower East Inlet backcountry campsite. From here the trail begins to ascend steeply. Over the next mile you will learn to dread rock stairs because there are a ton of them. At the 3 mile mark, you will reach a large rock outcropping with a commanding view of Grand Lake to the west.

The trail descends about 200 feet to join up with East Inlet Creek. The trail then mellows out for the next .5 mile or so until reaching Cat’s Lair campsite. Once again the trail climbs steeply through the forest and some fine cascades can be seen along the trail. At the 5.5 mile mark, you will reach Lone Pine Lake–the first in a chain of the five lakes. If you are not a strong backpacker, it is recommended to try and reserve one of the sites near this lake for the first night on the trail.

After passing the lake, the trail once again ascends steeply through the granite slick rock face above the lake. There is a pretty waterfall shortly after passing the lake. The trail then ascends the steep cliff face on a long bench. This half mile is very steep. At the top of this stretch, you are rewarded with a commanding view of Lone Pine Lake, now about 500 feet below. The trail now follows the creek along a relatively flat street as it makes it way to Lake Verna. You will pass a small lake first that has been formed from a large rock fall damming the creek. At the 7 mile mark, you will reach Lake Verna. Here the maintained trail ends and you will have to follow the social trail to the next three lakes.

Getting up the trail is challenging as many pines have been blown over and require constant scrambling and route finding. It is best to stay along the shore of lakes and by East Inlet Creek. Spirit Lake is next up and is located about .5 mile form the east shoreline of Lake Verna. Be sure to take in the afternoon sun on the nice beach on the east short of Verna first. The views begin to open up even more as you reach Spirit Lake. This is indeed a crown jewel of this chain. I hiked up to Fourth Lake but frankly it wasn’t;t worth the effort. It is a small marshy lake that is not as interesting. If you intend to reach Fifth Lake, you have to hike through more downed timber for the next 1/2 mile before reaching the open valley where Fifth Lake is located. It looked amazing up there but I was too tired by this point to head up.

Trailhead Parking

To access the East Inlet Trail, follow the main road into

East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Lake Verna, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

East Inlet Creek, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

East Inlet Creek, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

East Inlet Creek, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Lake Verna, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Lake Verna, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Lake Verna, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Lake Verna, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Lake Verna, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Lake Verna, East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

July 9, 2021

Academy Football Candids

It was media photo day for our football team at the Academy of Charter Schools in Westminster, CO, Friday, so I took the opportunity to shoot a few candids of the players. Football candids are a fun and relaxing way to photograph players. I especially like this type of photography because it gives me a chance to show the lighter side of the players. I posed a few players and also shot some candids of the players having fun. I used a variety of lenses and techniques for this shoot. I especially enjoyed shooting some closeups of the punter. You never get a fell for how quick and powerful this motion is until you’re up close. A gracious thank you goes out to the yearbook staff for inviting me to be a part of this fun afternoon.

September 9, 2018

CU vs USC Football 2017

USC defeated Colorado in football 38-24 at Folsom Field. USC quarterback Sam Darnold looks like the real deal as he threw for over 300 yards and ran for a long touchdown.

November 11, 2017: A young Colorado fan gets abetter view of action atop her dad’s shoulders before the game against USC at Folsom Field.

November 11, 2017: A Colorado cheerleader dances before the game against USC at Folsom Field.

November 11, 2017: Colorado mascot Ralphie the Buffalo runs on the field during halftime of the game against USC at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: Colorado cheerleaders get the crowd fired up before the game against USC at Folsom Field.

November 11, 2017: Colorado cheerleaders get the crowd fired up before the game against USC at Folsom Field.

November 11, 2017: A USC fan celebrates his team’s pick six touchdown at the end of the first half against Colorado at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC cheerleaders perform at halftime against Colorado at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC QB Sam Darnold lofts a pass over Colorado’s Rick Gamboa in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC wide out Michael Pittman catches a touchdwon over Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC wide out Michael Pittman catches a touchdwon over Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC wide out Michael Pittman (6) celebrates his first half touchdown against Colorado with teammates Nico Falah (74) and Toa Lobendahn (50) in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC QB Sam Darnold lscrambles to avoid Colorado’s Drew Lewis in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: Colorado kick returner Devin Ross returns the kickoff against USC at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC offensive linemen CToa Lobendahn looks to make a block against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC defensive back Isaiah Langley checks Colorado’s Bryce Bobo in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC defensive lineman Josh Fatu battles Colorado’s Gerrad Kough in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: Colorado’s Afolab Laguda breaks up a pass intended for USC’s Daniel Imatorbhebhe at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green batles Colorado’s Gerrad Kough in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC wide receiver Deontay Burnett is tackled after a long reception by a Colorado defender in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC lineman Andrew Vorhees looks to make a block against Colorado in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC QB Sam Darnold celebrates a second half touchdown against Colorado with teammate Tyler Vaughns at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC QB Sam Darnold celebrates a second half touchdown against Colorado with teammate Tyler Petite at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC’s Jack Jones (25) and Matt Lopes (37) celebrate a nice special teams play against Colorado in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: Colorado wideout Juwann Winfree hauls in a touchdown against USC in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC QB Sam Darnold avoids a pack of Colorado defenders to gain a first down in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC running back Ronald Jones breaks the tackle of Colorado’s Evan Worthington in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC running back Ronald Jones breaks into the open field against Colorado in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC running back Ronald Jones stiff arms Colorado’s Derek McCartney in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC’ defensive end Rasheem Green battles Colorado’s Josh Kaiser in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: A couple of brave Colorado fans go shirtless on a brisk night at Folsom Field. Colorado lost to USC, 38-24.

November 11, 2017: Colorado cheerleaders perform during a timeout in the game against USC at Folsom Field.

November 11, 2017: USC running back Ronald Jones stiff arms a Colorado defender in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC QB Sam Darnold scrambles trying to avoid the Colorado rush in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24 behind a strong game from Darnold.

November 11, 2017: USC QB Sam Darnold gets ready to throw a pass against Colorado in the second half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24 behind a strong game from Darno.ld

November 11, 2017: USC wide out DEontay Burnett turns up field after a catch against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: Colorado QB Steven Montez drops back to pass as Aaron Haigler looks to throw a block against USC in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: Colorado QB Steven Montez looks to escape USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green celebrates a big play against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017: USC wide out Tyler Vaughns goes up high over Colorado’s Dante Wigley to snare a pass in the first half at Folsom Field. The Trojans won 38-24.

November 11, 2017

Colorado Washington State Football 2016

Colorado football is back in the national spotlight for the first time in over a decade after defeating the Cougars 38-24 Saturday at Folsom Field. I photographed the Colorado Washington State football game and it featured a number of big plays and a fair number of near misses There had to be at least a half dozen overthrows or dropped passes on long throws. But all in all it was an exciting game to cover.

November 20, 2016

Doug McLeod Blues in the Schools

I once again had the pleasure of photographing Doug McLeod’s performance at the Carpenter Rec Center in Thornton Saturday night. His concert was to benefit the Blues in the Schools program which promotes blues history and education in the Adams County school system. McLeod is the 2016 Acoustic Blues performer of the year and his talent as a blues musician is undeniable. But he is much more than just a musician. McLeod’s warm sense of humor and expressive storytelling make his performances enjoyable even if you’re not a fan of the blues. And it makes for some great photographs!

Many thanks to the Thornton Arts, Science & Humanities Council for sponsoring the event.

August 14, 2016

Shrine Ridge Wildflowers

Shrine Ridge

I backpacked to the summit of Shrine Ridge near Vail, CO. The wildflowers were bountiful again this year although not quite as good as last year. Lupine and red paintbrush were the predominant varieties with some alpine sunflowers and others mixed in. I camped near the top so I could do some night photography in the moonlight and catch sunrise on the ridge. A thunderstorm hung around until after midnight so I had to wait a while before the moon came out. I was rewarded with some fantastic photo ops when the moon finally emerged. Although I could not see all the flowers, the meadow was filled with flowers. Once the sun came up, I was amazed with the color and variety of flowers.

Trail directions

Shine Ridge is located at the summit of Vail Pass, 10 miles east of Vail. Take the exit for the rest area at the summit and drive on the dirt road to the right for about 2.5 miles. Park at the trail head (get there early because the lot fills quickly). The trail begins by wandering through willow in a boggy area. It climbs past a small pond and then climbs steeply past some meadows of paintbrush. As you climb, you will cross a small creek. Stay on the main trail at the 1 mile marker where it meets a spur trail leading from a mountain inn. After about 1.25 miles, the trail flattens out briefly as you reach the base of the ridge. Snow cornices linger here well into summer. The trail veers right and climbs again steeply up to the ridge. At the summit, veer right and explore the wildflower-filled meadow. Views of the Holy Cross Wilderness open up to the west.

July 31, 2016

Frozen Frost

We had a nice foggy morning yesterday which quickly cleared. Frost was frozen to everything! I quickly hopped in a car and headed to Boulder to do some photography. I stopped at Sawmill Ponds on the eastern side of Boulder. The area has a number of trails around small ponds. Of particular interest was the abundance of dead grass and weeds with seed pods still on. This made for great closeup photography. Frozen frost provides some amazing subjects. The frost crystals were huge. Of course I had to work fast. The conditions only lasted a couple of hours before the sun started to melt everything.

January 11, 2016

Tag: CO

Shrine Ridge

Trail directions