IntrepidXJ's Adventure Blog

Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

By now I’m sure many of my regular readers are tired of seeing photos from the Colorado National Monument. For those of you who might feel that way, I’m sorry to say I have another trip report of photos taken there. Better stop reading now! After spending over five hours photographing the inversion layer in the Monument on Saturday I had no plans to return on Sunday. However, in the afternoon I noticed the clouds that had been hovering over the Grand Valley all day were finally beginning to break up. I couldn’t resist, so I grabbed my camera and drove back up there. I’m glad that I did!

As I was driving to the Fruita entrance I noticed the clouds hanging in the canyon obscuring the view of Independence Monument. I found somewhere to pull over and switched to my long lens for a closer look.

In the Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When I reached the Monument Canyon view I was pleasantly surprised to find many dynamic clouds in the canyon below.

Clearing Storm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A disappearing act.

Kissing in the Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Closeup of the Kissing Couple before it was completely obscured by the clouds.

Closeup by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I waited until The Island was almost completely engulfed before pushing the shutter for this image. The Book Cliffs stand prominently on the other side of the valley in the distance.

Engulfed by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A small break in the clouds looking down Monument Canyon.

Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I keep trying for a decent shot of this twisted Juniper tree. I may not have a great shot, but I’m still drawn to it.

Twisted by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Grand View over the cloud bank.

Edge of the World by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Some of the most interesting clouds I have seen at the Monument.

Cloud Layers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Canyons and Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After taking the previous two photos I looked down and to my right and saw my shadow on a thin layer of clouds below surrounded by a circular rainbow. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but I knew it was nothing I had seen before, so I quickly took a few photos before it disappeared.

Personal Rainbow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s a closer look.

Brocken Spectre by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

…and a wider panoramic view. When I got back home I learned that this is an optical phenomena known as a Brocken Spectre or a glory.

Independence Glory by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The other side of the Kissing Couple as the clouds disappear.

Monoliths by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Next I went over to check out the conditions at Pothole Point. There was a lot more cloud coverage over here. I only had a few small breaks like this one.

Passing Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After waiting a while for the clouds to clear a little I finally gave up and headed back to Monument Canyon view. I noticed these sandstone formations in the late sunlight as I drove back.

Sandstone Shapes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I also stopped for yet another shot of Independence Monument. I love the dappled light on the Book Cliffs in the background.

Independence Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

By the time I reached the viewpoint again most of the clouds were gone. I did get to catch the last light of the day striking the Kissing Couple.

Highlights by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As I was leaving the Monument for the evening I made one last stop at Redland View to capture the beautiful colors in the clouds over the valley.

Redland View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> Clearing Storm Photo Gallery

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

On Saturday morning I slept in a little later than usual. A winter storm moved into the area overnight and when I looked outside towards the Colorado National Monument I could see that the humidity from the storm caused the inversion layer over the valley to thicken. I quickly got dressed and drove up to the Monument. I was planning on a short trip up there to hopefully get a couple of decent photos, but I ended up spending over 5 hours up there!

Since there was another layer of clouds above me there was no direct light the whole time I was up there, but I really enjoyed photographing the muted colors of the canyons in these conditions. It’s certainly different from what I normally shoot, which is what I was trying to do.

The base of Window Rock was just above the inversion layer.

Window by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The thick inversion filling up part of Wedding Canyon.

Filling by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The inversion layer sort of acted like water in the ocean. The fog would recede a little and then advance again. I waited until the wave of fog crashed against the cliff to take this photo.

Wave by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Hidden road in Fruita Canyon.

Fruita Canyon Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Fog and red sandstone cliffs.

Cliffs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A tunnel on Rim Rock Drive as the fog advances from the canyon on the right.

Tunnel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Parked in the inversion so I could explore the area.

Parked by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Rim Rock Drive disappears into the fog.

Into the Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Kissing Couple, Independence Monument, and Window Rock stand above the fog.

Monuments by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Clouds fill the canyon below.

Kissing by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I just love red sandstone poking out of the fog.

Edge of the Inversion by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Independence Monument from Grand View.

Independence Inversion by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The inversion layer fills the lowest parts of Monument Canyon.

Creeping by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When I first arrived at the Independence Monument viewpoint it was completely out of the clouds. With a little patience (which I usually lack), I waited until the tide of the inversion started to engulf Independence Monument before taking a few photos.

Disappearing Act by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A wider view as the fog fills the canyon.

Monument Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I’ve stopped for photos at the Fruita Canyon overlook many times before, but usually Balance Rock blends into the background and is hard to see. With the fog behind, it stands out much better.

Fruita Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look.

Above Balance Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I got soaked early in the day before it stopped raining, but I had a lot of fun photographing the Monument in these conditions.

>> Monument Inversion Photo Gallery

Monday – Sunday, January 14-20, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

Over the past week I’ve spent a few days photographing the Colorado National Monument again. I stopped by after work a few days, caught a sunrise another day, and drove through the entire park after a morning spent along Rifle Creek. Basically, whenever I had a little free time, I was there. I actually spent a few days concentrating on one small arch that I photographed in a few different kinds of light. It’s amazing how different things can look based on the time of day and the weather.

One evening I caught the Earth’s shadow over Red Canyon.

Red Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another evening the Grand Mesa lit up at sunset.

Pink Mesa by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A small tree growing out of the sandstone.

Sandstone Tree by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I visited this small arch in No Thoroughfare Canyon after the sun had set behind the cliffs. I would photograph this arch a few more times in different light over the next few days.

Lower Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunset the following day at the arch.

No Thoroughfare Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look.

Arch Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Light strikes the walls on the opposite side of the canyon.

Winter Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Rim Rock Drive snakes it’s way up Fruita Canyon.

Fruita Canyon Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Monoliths from the Monument Canyon viewpoint.

Monument Canyon View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Saddlehorn on the mesa in the distance.

Saddlehorn View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Kissing Couple lit up nicely.

Kissing Couple by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view from Artist’s Point including the Grand Mesa and Mount Garfield.

Artist’s Point View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Rim Rock Drive follows the rim of the canyon.

Rim Rock Drive by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

View over The Highlands.

The Highlands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunset at Cold Shivers Point.

Cold Shivers Point by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Cold Shivers Footprints by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Rim Rock Drive descends into No Thoroughfare Canyon with Devil’s Kitchen lit up below.

Yes Thoroughfare by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Back at the arch again, this time in the dawn.

Dawn Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking up No Thoroughfare Canyon during the pre-dawn ‘glow’

No Thoroughfare Dawn by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The arch in the shadows while the cliffs in the distance are bathed in light.

Rim Light Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The rim of the canyon is lit up in the early morning light.

Rim Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Finally, the arch is in the light.

Arch in the Sun by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> Twilight at Red Canyon Photo Gallery
>> No Thoroughfare Photo Gallery
>> Colorado National Monument Photo Gallery
>> No Thoroughfare Sunrise Photo Gallery

Thursday – Sunday, January 3-6, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

We’ve had a very cold start to the year so I’ve been staying close to home more than I usually do. Since that’s the case, I’ve been spending my free time trying to make some more unique images of locations I’ve photographed before, plus I’ve been trying to find some new locations around the Grand Valley. Here’s a few photos from the past couple of days.

I drove up to the Independence Monument viewpoint after work on Thursday and stuck around after the sun had dropped below the horizon so I could catch the Earth Shadow above the Book Cliffs.

Island Earth Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then I stayed a little longer for a photo of Independence Monument in the twilight with the lights of Grand Junction in the background.

Independence Monument Twilight by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On Saturday morning I was up early to photograph the sunrise photo along the Colorado River in De Beque Canyon. As I was taking a few photos in the early dawn light a man with a dog approached me. At first, I assumed he was out for a walk along the river, but then he mentioned to me that he and some friends were hunting ducks nearby and would be shooting right over the area I was in. I decided it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to stick around, so I hiked back to my Jeep and got out of there so that I could find somewhere else to watch the sun come up.

Dawn in De Beque Canyon along the Colorado River.

Winter River by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I made it to another location in Grand Junction just before the sun started to rise. I’m kind of glad I had to move, because this location was spectacular this morning with fog rising off the river that was lit up from behind by the sun.

River of Fire by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Emergence by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I took a hike to Devil’s Kitchen in the Colorado National Monument on Saturday evening to hike around in the snow and watch the sunset.

Last light on Devil’s Kitchen.

Devils Kitchen Winter by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On my way home from the Monument I stopped at the Colorado River again for a view of the Grand Mesa after the sun was down.

River & Mesa by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On Sunday morning I returned to the Colorado River to photograph the fog in the early morning light again.

The ice and river turned purple for a short time before sunrise.

Purple Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Pink Ripples by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

So did the fog.

Dawn Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then the sun made it’s first appearance of the day over the Grand Mesa.

Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There was plenty of frost on the trees along the banks of the river.

Fog & Frost by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunrise Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Backlit Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Frost clings to the branches of these trees along the Colorado River on a frigid morning. Fog rising off of the river below softens the scene and gives this image a painterly feel.

Frosty Morning by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Even though I stayed close to home, it was a very productive couple of days. Even with all the frigid temperatures we’ve been having around here!

>> Independence Monument Twilight Photo Gallery
>> Colorado River Winter Photo Gallery
>> Devil’s Kitchen Photo Gallery
>> Colorado River Sunrise Photo Gallery

Friday, December 28, 2012

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

With the full moon out tonight, I thought it would be fun to head up to the Colorado National Monument again and try to get a few photos of the canyons and spires lit by the moonlight with the city lights of Grand Junction and Fruita in the background. Thanks to an inversion, the temperatures in the valley were pretty cold but, it was much nicer up on the Monument.

Looking down Wedding Canyon towards Fruita. Independence Monument dominates the foreground.

City Lights by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the Pipe Organ, Sentinel Spire and Window Rock.

Window Rock Night by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I really like this one with the snow, shadows and faint stars.

Winter’s Embrace by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Independence Monument with Grand Junction in the distance.

Independence Night by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> The Monument at Night Photo Gallery