Four Seasons - Longs Peak
by Aaron Spong
Title
Four Seasons - Longs Peak
Artist
Aaron Spong
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Four Seasons at Longs Peak - Mountain photography by Aaron Spong
This series of four photographs depicting the four seasons of Colorado 14er Longs Peak was taken from Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Longs peak is the only mountain in the national park to reach an elevation above 14,000 ft. It is difficult and dangerous to climb and has claimed more lives than any other peak in the state. There are numerous routes and features on the peak. The most obvious feature viewed from this angle is the giant eastern face known as "the diamond".
The springtime image (at left) was taken after one of the wettest seasons of the decade. Snow lingered on the mountain giving it a white blanket well into July.
The summertime image (center left) was taken at sunrise. It looks a little hazy in the distance creating a soft pink glow on the east face of the peak. This was due to the smoke from the huge wildfires on the west coast due to the drought. Apparently, the Colorado mountains stole all the moisture this season.
The fall image (center right) shows one of the last groups of aspen trees in the park to change. I visited this same location a dozen times this season waiting for this small group of trees to turn to that fiery golden yellow the aspens are known for. Finally, toward the end of October, they were just the right color as I waited for the sunset. After the sun went behind the peak, it lit up the sky in warm hues which matched the same intense color in the trees!
The winter image (at right) was taken the day after Christmas on a very cold morning before dawn. Just as the sun rose, it turned the sky a bright purple above the peak and bare trees. I didn't stand in this location long.
Uploaded
December 30th, 2015
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