Tribute to Colorado - My Best Work
 

So here’s my entry among all of the other Colorado trails and tales threads out there …

My wife and I made the move to Colorado 8 years ago after I was laid-off from a previous job. We were given a golden opportunity to go wherever we wanted. Not to live somewhere because that’s where the best jobs are … or that’s where our friends or family are … but to take the plunge, go on a leap of faith, and live in a location that we dreamed of and where we truly wanted to spend our lives. Moving to this state has been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. I’ve lived in California, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri … traveled to 25 states and 12 different countries … and still, in my opinion, nothing compares to Colorado.

So here’s some chapters from our excursions in Colorado covering all of the beauty, the adventure, the jaw dropping awe, and the dreamy inspiration that this great state has to offer…

Chapter 1 – Alpine Vistas

Colorado has 53 fourteeners (mountain peaks exceeding 14,000 ft) with the tallest peaks being Mt. Elbert 14,440 ft; Mt. Massive 14,428 ft; Mt. Harvard 14,427 ft; La Plata Peak 14,368 ft; and Blanca Peak 14,351 ft. Mt Blanca continues to be one of my favorites given its location at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo range and the surrounding relatively flat terrain and valleys which emphasize the sheer size of this mountain.


Blanca Peak


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The Sangre De Cristo Range

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Mt. Princeton

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Hiking Mt. Princeton

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The Ranges of Northern Colorado

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A Rare Alpine Cow! … :rotflmao2:

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Central Colorado

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Aftermath from an Avalanche

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Southern Colorado

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Chapter 2 – Into the Wild

The variety and abundance of wildlife in Colorado is incredible. Traveling the trails, you run into elk, moose, foxes, coyotes, yellow bellied marmots, mountain goats, sheep, deer, bears, … the list goes on. Here’s some of the locals that my wife and I have run into …

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I second your sentiments. I lived there for 20 years (born and raised), but after 9/11 joined the military and did my deed. Now that my time in the service will be coming to an end, i can't wait to move back there. Been to 33 countries and there is no where like CO. When I was stationed in Anchorage no one could understand why I couldn't wait to take leave to go back home. I look forward to raising my son there and putting roots back down there.

great pictures!

Sam

Chapter 3 – A Change of Seasons

Aspens are abundant in the state of Colorado which makes for spectacular scenery in late September and early October. Groves of Aspens share a common root system making them a network of sorts of trees. As a result of these connections, entire mountainsides of trees will turn golden yellow simultaneously creating sweeping fall scenery. “Dead leaf hunting trips” have become a pastime in Colorado with many locals making the journey up into the high country each season to enjoy nature at her best …

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One of my favorites … a fly fisherman outside Vail, CO …
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Horseback Riding in the wilderness …

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Great pics.....well done!!

Chapter 4 – Hidden Colorado

While my wife and I live in one of the largest cities in the US … Denver, within a couple hours drive there’s an abundance of hidden alpine meadows and unexpected sights far away from sounds of traffic or urban sprawl …

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A beautiful hidden waterfall between the towns of Crested Butte and Marble off Schofield Pass …

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An inspiring lake on the West side of Tin Cup Pass …

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Peaceful Serenity off the Colorado Trail …

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A gathering of rocks brought from around the world …

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Chapter 5 – A Storm on the Horizon

There's no sight on earth quite like that of a storm pushing over a tall mountain range. In Colorado, the winter storms pushing over the mountains create intimidating scenes of weather moving in …

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A storm moves East over the Sangre De Cristo range …

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Thank you sir for this thread and your wide variety of stunning pictures. If I ever need to take a deep breath and just smile, this is the thread. Someday once the kids are out of the house, the missus and I will find a way to become residents of this amazing state.

Chapter 6 – 4x4 Heaven

Of course, no post on the JK-Forum would be complete without some good JK wheeling action. In Colorado, 4x4ing is not just a hobby or a sport, it’s a means to an end. It’s a way to get to the beautiful vistas of the state that otherwise are only accessible by foot or by air. Anything from leisurely drives down a lesser traveled fire road to a hardcore wheeler’s dream crawling over boulders the size of Volkswagons at elevations more than 2 miles high. It’s all here …

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Chinaman Gulch

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Wheeling the wilderness …

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Tin Cup Pass

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Argentine Pass

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Webster Pass

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Twin Cone Pass

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Wheeler Lake

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NOTE: The creek is the official trail!

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