After my trip into Del Norte, I returned to the Rio Grande National Forest via FSR 380, having still not settled upon a campsite for tonight. I had noted a number of sites, but all were either occupied or otherwise not a good choice for tonight.
I had noted a place along FSR 380 that looked promising for late day photography, so I planned to stop there, since it looked like the timing would work for photographing there today.
I made a number of images at that location, shooting from the edge of the roadway, as the late day shadows moved across the meadow and up the mountainside.
The image above is the one that I liked best. It took me a while to realize that the terraced landscape below the mountain peak is artificial and a result of reclamation of a mine site.
I thought about shooting from the roof rack on my vehicle to get a better view of the ponds, which reflected the scene behind them. I rejected that idea, since it would involve not only awkwardly climbing up and down my access ladder with camera and tripod, but maybe having to move the vehicle multiple times to get the best perspective and having to repeat going up and down the ladder with my gear. In hindsight, I wish I had taken the time to do that, since even the elevated view from my driver’s seat in the van gave a better view of the ponds.
After shooting here, it was getting late in the day and I really needed to find an overnight place to stay. I continued along FSR 380, driving slowly due to the washboarded road. I eventually ended up back at Stunner Campground, having found no other available place to camp. The first pull through campsite and others were vacant, so I claimed the pull through site for tonight.
I had no plans for the next day.
Stay tuned for more,
Ken