Dawn Above Middle Blue Lake

San Juan Mountains, Colorado

California › Central Coast (Winter/Spring)

When the sky lights up and the curtain unfolds...

A short backpacking trip to the Blue Lakes below Mount Sneffels was a highlight for me when I lived in Colorado. With my tent set up in the wind-swept, treeless basin of the Upper Blue Lake, it was the only time I’ve ever felt a bit nervous in the wilderness. A thunderstorm had moved in at night, and the lightning was striking the ridges all around. And I was in a tent in basically an open field.

But the next morning revealed this incredible view. Getting up at sunrise, for me, is one of the hardest parts of backpacking. Crawling out of a warm quilt and tent, putting on hiking clothes, walking through frigid, wet flora (usually in a brisk wind). Sometimes it’s daunting.

But when the sky lights up and the curtain unfolds, it’s so worth it!

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I sell my prints by a unique donation system.

If you’d like this print (for framing, canvas wrapping, metal print, custom order, etc.), check out the details!

I sell my prints by a unique
donation system.

If you’d like this print (for framing, canvas wrapping, metal print, custom order, etc.), check out the details!