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Traveling through Colorado is always an awe-inspiring experience, and the journey from Leadville to Aspen is no exception. This stunning drive takes you over the Continental Divide, offering breathtaking views of the mountain landscape along the way. From the blue waters of Twin Lakes to the cascading waterfalls and alpine ponds, there is no shortage of photographic opportunities on this journey.
Our journey begins in Leadville, where we set out to capture the beauty of Twin Lakes. The blue waters of Twin Lakes offer a picturesque scene that can sometimes reflect the surrounding mountains, creating a stunning mirror image. When the water is still, it’s the perfect opportunity to capture some great mountain reflections. The area around Twin Lakes also features some amazing cascades that bounce their way down the rocky shores of a fast-flowing creek. Leave your neutral density filter on, as we can make our way upstream to find some dramatic waterfalls. All of this before we even begin our ascent up the pass.
As we continue on our journey, we pass through meadows and farmland. Some of these old farm establishments offer great “rural living” photography opportunities, such as barns, fences, and tractors. Take a moment to capture the essence of rural life before we reach the switchbacks and start gaining elevation rapidly.
Once we hit the switchbacks, the views become even more spectacular. We start gaining elevation rapidly, and the views from some of these switchbacks are breathtaking, especially if the light is good to us and makes the distant peaks shine with a warm glow. Take a moment to pull over and photograph Lake Creek as it winds like a sidewalk crack through the canyon floor below.
At the top of Independence Pass, we find numerous pools of water, little alpine tundra ponds that remain throughout the year. Use these water sources to capture reflections of the surrounding peaks or the alpenglow of the clouds during sunset. The view from the summit is unparalleled, with endless mountain ranges stretching out before us.
In the fall, this drive becomes even more magical as the mountains light up with vibrant colors of yellow, orange, and red. The autumn foliage creates a stunning contrast against the clear blue skies, making for a photographer’s dream come true. The aspen trees, in particular, turn a brilliant gold color that is unmatched anywhere else in the world. This is just one of many amazing destination on our Aspen Gold Photography Tours.
