What Must I Shoot While Visiting Colorado?

<p>Hi,<br>

I'll be traveling to Colorado soon and am seeking suggestions of photo ops between Denver and Grand Junction.<br>

We'll have eight hours to make the four hour drive along I-70 so we won't be able to venture off too far. We'll be staying in Grand Junction for a few days and will have more time to venture further their. <br>

In appreciation of your time,<br>

Paul</p>

<p>http://observationsintime.com<br>

http://instagram.com/observationsintime/</p>

<p>Gunnison Natl PK is not far from the I-70. Also, it appears that it's snowing in Vail....lots of snow related activity there. I was in GJ at night few months ago, so I have no suggestions for the town.</p>

<p>Les</p>

<p>Head south on I-25 instead: Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs</p>

<p>Mountain vista at Dillion Reservoir, the upper reaches of the Colorado R., old mining towns. and beyond Grand Junction, Dinosaur National Monument and lots of fine desert (also some good dessert if you find the right restaurants - avoid the Rocky Mtn oysters).<br /> :)</p><div></div>

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<p>- avoid the Rocky Mtn oysters</p>

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<p>unless they're deep fried, then get a plate</p>

<p>The Colorada Nat Monument Road is spectacular and just outside of GJ. <br>

http://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/index.htm<br>

Nice shots along I-70 going thru Glenwood Canyon. <br>

I imagine vail, aspen and breck will be zoos filled with well-heeled tourists so I would keep pushing westward given your time constraints.</p>

<p>From the advice here, it seems that your question was interpreted as one about your reproducing some of the scenes that anyone can find (hundreds of times over) on Flickr and other photo sites.</p>

<p>Was that indeed what you meant?</p>

<p>Aside from "photo ops", I have no idea what kind of photos you're trying for. There are mountain scenes, out-of-the-way mountain towns, wildlife, shopping malls, and most everything else except urban decay. (Not much of that even in Denver.)</p>

<p>So, no useful advice is possible, except this: Hit the highlights if you want cliches, and get off the beaten track if you want to try for something out of the ordinary.</p>

<p>(I've lived in Colorado for 30+ years.)</p>

<p>Georgetown is a picturesque old mining town in the Front Range about 30 miles from Denver, just off I70. It's kind of a fudgy town now, but a lot of interesting old buildings nestled in the mountains.</p>

<p>I70 follows the Colorado River, and there are a few places with good views west of the Glenwood Canyon. The real attraction is the Canyon itself, going into Glenwood Springs. It's a slit in the rock, and there aren't many places to stop, so stop when you can and walk around the observation areas on the lower roadway, which is eastbound. There are train tracks on the other side of the river, in a notch in the canyon walls. Seeing a train above the rapids would be a high point of your trip.</p>

<p>Glenwood Springs is another old (for Colorado) town, but not as picturesque as Georgetown. The Hot Springs are open to the public, and are probably steamy this time of year. Aspen is about an hour south via a wide valley. You probably don't have time to take the drive, but there are some good views even a few miles south. The only 14'ers nearby are in Aspen (the Maroon Bells).</p>

<p>The drive between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction is not very interesting (IMO), nor is Grand Junction itself. However the Colorado National Monument is just west of Grand Junction, and well worth a visit - high plateau and many steep canyons.</p>

<p>Gunnison NP is not far as the crow flies, but crows can fly, you can't. It's a very pretty drive from Denver, through Gunnison NP on to Telluride and beyond, but that's for another time. You go through South Park (a park is a valley surrounded on all sides by mountains), but none of the TV gang is there ;) The drive to Telluride (To Hell You Ride) is only 250 miles, but it took me two days, stopping every mile or so to take pictures.</p>

<p>You'll be back. Colorado is a very scenic place, which along with skiing, is why people take a 30% cut in salary to move there.</p>

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<p>Hit the highlights if you want cliches</p>

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<p>There are usually reasons some things have become cliches. They are worth aide-mémoire shots for those who don't see them every day of the week.<br>

Would you avoid taking a picture of the Eiffel Tower, just because it's a cliche? ;)</p>

<p>Novelty is not always what it's cracked up to be.</p>

<p>I've traveled to CO on numerous occasions, and my wife's sister is nice enough to drive us around to many photo-rich areas. Several posters have mentioned Georgetown, which I recommend as well. It is right on I-70. Highway 381 south out of GT climbs a high ridge from which you can get shots of the the entire town. However, I prefer Silver Plume, which is about a mile past GT, and I-70 goes directly through it. The main street (exit I-70 and take a right) is still unpaved. Someone could film a western there and not change anything.</p>

<p>Continuing west on I-70, when you get to Copper Mtn, take 91 south about six miles and you discover Mayflower Gulch. There's a parking area on 91, from which you can get some nice shots of the creek and mountains in the back ground. If you're game, and have the time, you can hike the road from the parking lot to the ruins of the old Boston mine. As I recall, it is about 1.5 miles, but not very difficult. </p>

<p>At Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument area is just outside of town. I recommend the CNM in the early morning or late afternoon. </p>

<p>Thank you so very much Phil, JDM, Edward and Jim! You've been very helpful. I'll try to score some imagery worthy of sharing. Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season! </p>

 

<p>So much to see. A shame that you don't have time to head south of Denver and visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I was there in May and it was awesome. Since your in Grand Junction for a few days, I would highly recommend heading west on I-70 for another 100 miles to see Arches National Park in Utah. It is only around 1.5 hours away. Incredible rock formations. So many movies were filmed there. Open 24/7, so it is also great for night photos. The local town, Moab is kind of cool, but also a tourist trap with overpriced rooms, so best to head back to Grand Junction or one of the small towns in between. I stayed at Motel 6 in Grand Junction and it was very reasonable. I travel very cheap, so I can travel longer. For anyone that did not know, the entrance fee for national parks will be going up soon up many parks. http://www.discovermoab.com/</p>