A clearing afternoon storm reveals a fresh blanket of snow on Maroon Bells.

My first trip to Maroon Bells in September 2017 would be one I will never forget.  Photography is half preparation and half luck.  I thought I nailed the preparation by keeping a close eye on the progression of Fall colors in the Snowmass Wilderness through webcams and social media but still horribly mistimed it by about a week.  By the time I arrived the forest of trees directly below the Bells were barren, but the aspens in the surrounding areas were just slightly past peak.  I attempted the iconic sunrise shot within an endless sea of photographers but had a decent image ruined when another photographer ignorantly walked into the frame, much to my own frustration and the chagrin of those around me. I spent that morning scouting the surrounding areas without taking any photos, while my afternoon was completely rained out.  That’s when the luck kicked in.

Some parks such as Yosemite are famous for amazing photographic conditions after a clearing storm.  I had no idea what to expect from Maroon Bells, but after waiting out the rain in my car, decided to drive up and see for myself.  It. Did. Not. Disappoint. As I hiked through the scenic trail an amazing fog wandered through the grove of trees and lifted to reveal a pristine layer of snow on the enormous mountaintops.  The sun was nowhere in sight but an incredible sidelight pierced through the fog and introduced warm and cool tones to the adjacent mountain faces.  With the Bells as a backdrop behind a forest of changing aspens, the majesty of Colorado overtook me, and I promised myself I would return in the future.  That moment has been forever imprinted in my mind.