Rocky Mountain National Park — Journal

Longs Peak Milky Way

The best way to avoid the crowds in Rocky Mountain National Park is to visit in the offseason and at off hours. I wanted to capture the alignment of the Milky Way with Longs Peak while snow was still present so May was a good month to spend in the park under the stars. After reaching an almost empty parking lot I hiked up to my viewpoint that just managed to clear any foreground trees. I began this single long take at 10:30 pm and packed up after sunrise at 6:30 am. After the Moon set below the horizon, the Milky Way and Jupiter advanced across the night sky and provided me a good reason to skip sleeping. The bright glow at the horizon is light pollution from Boulder and Denver.

Douglas DeVotoMay 11, 2019Hiking, Rocky Mountain National Park, Nightscape, Sunrise

Chasm Lake and Storm Pass

Every season offers a new perspective in the mountains. Spring is highlighted by the return of wildflowers and access to alpine trails, summer provides camping opportunities by aquamarine lakes that perfectly reflect granite peaks, and fall gives one last burst of color. But winter brings snow. From making snowballs and snow angels to skiing, I find that winter can be the most playful season. There is nothing like waking up early for a trail run through snow with friends!

Douglas DeVotoOctober 6, 2018Trail Running, Rocky Mountain National Park

Dream Lake and Chaos Canyon

Nature can be humbling through its beauty and difficulty and I experienced a little of both in RMNP. With sunrise a little after 5:00 am, we had to leave Boulder around 3:00 am in order to reach Dream Lake. Mornings by the lake are spectacular with the first light reflecting into the water via Hallet Peak.

Douglas DeVotoJune 26, 2016Rocky Mountain National Park, Scrambling, Sunrise

The Arrowhead

Fall is quickly approaching! We traveled up to RMNP for what was originally planned to be an ambitious day, the Lake Solitude Cirque traverse. Beginning from Bear Lake, we hiked our way up to to Black Lake and enjoyed the surrounding views of Chiefs Head Peak (13,579'), The Spearhead (12,575'), Powell Peak (13,208'), McHenrys Peak (13,327'), and The Arrowhead (12,387').

Douglas DeVotoSeptember 20, 2015Rocky Mountain National Park, Hiking, Scrambling