September 18th to September 28th, 2021

  10 nights/11 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 8 participants, and a minimum of 3 participants

Photography Tour Overview: Our exploration America's 'roof top' will bring diverse photo subjects such as wildlife, ghost towns, waterfalls, spectacular stands of colorful Aspen trees, and breathtaking mountain landscapes etcetera. Colorado is a name that is up there with the best of them when it comes to destinations that Americans would most like to visit. The difference is that Colorado will linger on the palette many times longer than most of it’s natural and man-made competition.

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Days 1, 2 + 3  |  Rocky Mountain National Park
Our small group will gather late morning, and we'll kick things off with the included lunch plus a digital presentation of images you can expect to capture during this photo tour. Then away via Boulder and Muggins Gulch to Estes Park on the doorstep of Rocky Mountain National Park, which is dominated by 14,256’ Long’s Peak.
On days 2 and 3 our park highlights will include Trail Ridge Road, Fall River Canyon, Chasm Falls, Nymph Lake, and wildlife including Elk, Coyote, Bighorn Sheep, Marmot, semi-tame Ravens and much more.
Estes Park, 3 nights

Days 4 + 5  |  Independence Pass, Aspen, Maroon Bells and Ghost Towns
More dawn light photography prior to leaving the Rocky Mountain National Park area today, we’ll return south on the opposite side of the continental divide, and via Interstate 70 to start our zigzag of mountain passes with Guanella Pass. Mt. Evans will appear in the east as we move on to Boreas Pass, a former railroad bed on which Elephants used to push circus trains to Breckenridge on the northeastern slope. Via Leadville with it’s ghost and modern town mix, to turn west under Colorado’s highest peak, Mt. Elbert at 14,433’. Over Independence pass as the late light warms up, and onto Aspen for our 2 night stay.
On day 5 we’ll rise early for the first light on the Maroon Bells . . . a Colorado classic with mountain peaks, lake, and fabulously colored Aspen groves. Marmot and Mule Deer are easy to shoot here, and we may see Moose. While in the Aspen area we’ll also explore Independence and Ashcroft ghost towns, and more.
Aspen, 2 nights

Day 6  |  Marble, Crystal Mill, McClure Pass, Kebler Pass and Crested Butte
Another sunrise excursion to start day 6 followed by breakfast, and then we’ll hit the road for Marble via the brick kilns of Redstone. Marble provided the marble for the Lincoln Memorial, and from here we'll take a detour over rugged terrain for the classic Crystal Mill shot on the Crystal River. Via McClure Pass and onto Kebler Pass where shoot the largest stand of in-color Aspen trees you'll ever lay eyes on. We'll photograph around Crested Butte both this evening and early on day 7.
Crested Butte, 1 night

Days 7 + 8  |  Crested Butte, Dallas Divide and the Telluride region
First light around Gothic, and following breakfast we'll photo-explore Washington Gulch prior to departing in the direction of Telluride. Shots of Blue Mesa reservoir in the Curecanti national recreation area as we make our way to some superb photography on the Dallas Divide. Things start with swathes of fall color in front of the San Juan Mountains topped by Mt. Sneffels at 14,150’, and continue with rustic zigzag fences, Mule Deer sightings and more great scenery on a back road loaded with shots that always slow our descent into Telluride. Evening light near Telluride, with Mt. Wilson and old barns being the main attractions.
On day 8 we’ll make early and late runs to the Last Dollar Road, which will provide classics topped by distant Mt. Wilson. A side trip southwards will also be a feature while we are in the Telluride area, plus much more.
Telluride, 2 nights

Day 9  |  Dallas Divide, Ouray, Million Dollar Highway and Silverton
First light on 14,017’ Mt. Wilson to start our day, then following breakfast we’ll go south from Telluride for yet more fabulous mountain vistas. We'll turn towards Silverton, and once again we'll progress slowly over the Dallas Divide with many photo-stops scheduled.  Ouray is next for street scenes, and the 'roof-top' view plus a detour to nearby Box Canyon falls. We’ll then continue south and traverse the 'Million Dollar Highway’ with photography stops on Red Mountain Pass. On to the old mining community of Silverton for the night. Silverton hasn’t changed a whole lot since those gold-mining heydays of the late 1800’s, and the flavor of the old west is guaranteed.
Silverton, 1 night

Day 10  |  Silverton, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Mesa Verde NP
Shots of Silverton and surrounding peaks bathed in the early light, and following breakfast we'll explore Silverton . . . and most likely bump into some infamous town characters! At midday we rendezvous with the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad locomotive for a series of pictures prior to continuing south on the ‘Million Dollar Highway’ to Durango. On west to Mesa Verde National Park to check-in, and venture out for photography at the Spruce Tree House ruins.  The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action by John.
Mesa Verde NP, 1 night

Day 11  |  Departure day
Back to the Anasazi rock dwellings during the first hour of light, then after breakfast we'll head for Cortez airport for your flights home. A flight departure after 1 pm is recommended.

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours

Enhancing Your Photography Skills: Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Photography Tour Cost, the Fine Details and Enrollment

Trip Cost: $4,850 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $300. Pay a deposit, or your full trip balance here

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip, field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, and a disc containing images of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

• Airfare

• Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

• Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

• Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

• Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry etcetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• Admission to Rocky Mountain and Mesa Verde National Parks is included in our Commercial Organization, Commercial Tour Fees, and/or a Commercial Use Authorization [CUA] permit

• Also included is 4WD transport to the Crystal Mill near Marble

• All other possible rides, admissions or excursions are optional and not included