Peak Reflections Photography

by Phil Johnsey

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Mt. Bierstadt

It's been a long time goal to "bag" a fourteener. I lived in Colorado for 15 years and for various reasons missed my opportunity. This past vacation, I decided was the perfect time to do it. I've hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim, run 1/2 marathons, and am pretty active but this hike was the absolute hardest thing I have ever done. I know what it means to give 1000% physically & mentally. After reaching the top totally spent with nothing left, I quickly realized I still had to walk back down to my car!! It was a long walk back especially not feeling so well. Walking back I swore I'd never do this again. The next morning I felt better and listed all the things I had done wrong and would change for the next climb. And that's how it all gets started....
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  • The trail begins with a picture perfect day. Fortunately for us, the weather stayed that way. Mt. Bierstadt is the peak on the right with the snow & the bright light above it.

    The trail begins with a picture perfect day. Fortunately for us, the weather stayed that way. Mt. Bierstadt is the peak on the right with the snow & the bright light above it.

  • Laurie on the trail pointing to the peak. Note that she is smiling now...

    Laurie on the trail pointing to the peak. Note that she is smiling now...

  • You have to cross this creek as part of the trail. It's easy on the way out, but after several hours of hiking with a heavy pack picking your way back across is challenging.

    You have to cross this creek as part of the trail. It's easy on the way out, but after several hours of hiking with a heavy pack picking your way back across is challenging.

  • This placid lake looked like a great place to just sit around and soak up the sun. Maybe next time..... You'll notice white lines in the sky; those are jet contrails. At this altitude they're clearly seen.

    This placid lake looked like a great place to just sit around and soak up the sun. Maybe next time..... You'll notice white lines in the sky; those are jet contrails. At this altitude they're clearly seen.

  • The great wide open vastness of the area. Note how small Laurie looks in the picture. Yeah, you're really that small out here.

    The great wide open vastness of the area. Note how small Laurie looks in the picture. Yeah, you're really that small out here.

  • Another shot of the creek as it flows through the valley. Note that it's crystal clear.

    Another shot of the creek as it flows through the valley. Note that it's crystal clear.

  • This valley is surrounded by numerous peaks. This one sits to the East of the trail. Another one to climb.....

    This valley is surrounded by numerous peaks. This one sits to the East of the trail. Another one to climb.....

  • She's still smiling on this steep climb. Gaining 3000 feet in 3 miles was definitely a steep hike.

    She's still smiling on this steep climb. Gaining 3000 feet in 3 miles was definitely a steep hike.

  • We'd hear these squeaks that sounded just like a dog toy and it was these Pikas. Looking like giant, furry mice, they bounded around with ease.

    We'd hear these squeaks that sounded just like a dog toy and it was these Pikas. Looking like giant, furry mice, they bounded around with ease.

  • Yours truly stopping for a break.

    Yours truly stopping for a break.

  • Can you find the trail? It's right in the middle where the boulders are. The snow made it difficult to discern the trail at times.

    Can you find the trail? It's right in the middle where the boulders are. The snow made it difficult to discern the trail at times.

  • Laurie taking a break and drinking in the scenery.

    Laurie taking a break and drinking in the scenery.

  • A different view of the snowfield.

    A different view of the snowfield.

  • As you can see, it was like hiking in a postcard. Picture perfect.

    As you can see, it was like hiking in a postcard. Picture perfect.

  • After hiking for hours, this is the final push for the summit. Again the trail was difficult to find. These boulders are very large and required climbing up and over. Just what you wanted to do at 14,000 feet after a long hike. We had to be very careful through this area. This is the last place you want to twist an ankle.

    After hiking for hours, this is the final push for the summit. Again the trail was difficult to find. These boulders are very large and required climbing up and over. Just what you wanted to do at 14,000 feet after a long hike. We had to be very careful through this area. This is the last place you want to twist an ankle.

  • I decided to look over the edge and found this emerald green lake. I didn't look over for long.

    I decided to look over the edge and found this emerald green lake. I didn't look over for long.

  • Another awesome summit view.

    Another awesome summit view.

  • You can see forever up here.

    You can see forever up here.

  • In the middle of the picture, all the way in the back, you'll see a white speck. It's Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs which is about 100 miles away.

    In the middle of the picture, all the way in the back, you'll see a white speck. It's Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs which is about 100 miles away.

  • Walking on top of the world. It was amazingly quiet and peaceful.

    Walking on top of the world. It was amazingly quiet and peaceful.

  • Laurie at the top. What a feeling to finally make it!

    Laurie at the top. What a feeling to finally make it!

  • Since I had climbed up with the only camera, I had to climb down for my photo op.

    Since I had climbed up with the only camera, I had to climb down for my photo op.

  • The snowfield in B&W. Almost looks like a moonscape.

    The snowfield in B&W. Almost looks like a moonscape.

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    As you can see, it was like hiking in a postcard. Picture perfect.
    After hiking for hours, this is the final push for the summit. Again the trail was difficult to find. These boulders are very large and required climbing up and over. Just what you wanted to do at 14,000 feet after a long hike. We had to be very careful through this area. This is the last place you want to twist an ankle.
    I decided to look over the edge and found this emerald green lake. I didn't look over for long.