I was on my way back from Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver for a business conference and decided to make a trip to Mount Evans about seventy miles west of the city. I had been to Mount Evans several times in the past to photograph wildlife, but I had never visited this late in September. The road to the top of Mount Evans, at 14,000 feet, is said to be the highest paved road in North America. So, I found myself traveling up the mountain road early on a frosty morning. Winding up through a forest of bristlecone pines to Summit Lake, I left the tree line behind. There is a gate across the road at Summit Lake that is sometimes closed this late in the year due to unsafe driving conditions. Today it was open, although the road had some icy patches.

As I came around a bend above the lake, I saw a small group of young Bighorn Sheep. I stopped, and they milled around my car. Two of the young males were butting heads, no doubt practicing for the day when they would do this for real, equipped with heavy curling horns. The animals paid me no heed as I got out of the car and positioned my camera below them to isolate the action. Farther up the road, I encountered a Mountain Goat. Mountain Goats are my favorite subjects on Mount Evans, and an early June visit usually rewards with young kids and mothers. This goat was a large male in full winter coat, the first adult male I had ever seen here. He was located above me grazing on the tundra grass growing on the side of the mountain. I begin climbing up towards him carrying my gear. Mountain goats are peaceful and tolerant animals, and this male proved no different. He slowly moved further up the mountainside while I made some tight photographs.

After reaching the summit and my usual stop to feel the cold September wind at 14,000 feet and photograph a pika in the rocks, I started back down the mountain. Early in the morning is also the best time to photograph the abundant Yellow Bellied Marmots found along the road. The animals bask in the morning sun to warm up and are much more tolerant of a close approach. I encountered a handsome young marmot and as I begin to photograph him, he cloned himself right before my eyes. Now I had two pair of alert little black eyes looking back at me through my viewfinder in perfect morning light.

What a great morning! Wildlife photography can be pretty demanding. So much can go wrong. The weather can turn, crowds of people can obstruct your efforts, wildlife can be scarce and hard to find, light can fail, you name it. Once in a blue moon, it just comes together. Call it the Zen of Photography or whatever, all is right with me and the world. Dewitt Jones describes a transcendent process that occurs when he is in a beautiful outdoor location. Eventually all the internal noise in his head and his anxiety at being alone flies away and he really begins to see what is around him. The sense of wonder and beauty of Mount Evans had that affect on me. Like someone had thrown a switch, I felt a sense of peace and connection with the beauty of the earth.

Directions and Other Facts:

Mount Evans is accessed about 40 miles West of Denver at Idaho Springs off I 70. Turn off the interstate on Highway 103 (Exit 240). It is 28 miles to the summit. Once you pass Echo Lake and Lodge, you will encounter the entry gate. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a Denver City Park located in the Arapaho National Forest and a small entry fee is required. Typically, the road to the top is closed at Labor Day and reopens after Memorial Day. Road conditions can be checked by calling the National Forest Service at 303-567-3000. Idaho Springs has several good motels and restaurants, and Echo Lake Lodge has a great restaurant. There is a primitive National Park campground about halfway up the road from Idaho Springs.

Early June is a great time to visit for young animals. At the bristlecone forest is a ranger and interpretive station. This area is great for wildflowers, including the beautiful blue Pasque Flower, as well as many other high altitude and alpine varieties. Coyotes, elk and deer are also commonly seen in the park, as well as sheep and goats.

Wear warm clothes and good hiking shoes at all times of the year, and remember the altitude at the top is extreme. Drink lots of fluids and take it easy until you get used to the thin air.

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Colin has been a wildlife and outdoor photographer for over 15 years, and still enjoys himself in a wild place, looking through a viewfinder.