Rocky Mountain Hikes - Alpine Rockbound Lake - part 2 📷

There was a lower lake on this hike to Rockbound bound, smaller, just below the headwall called Tower lake, as it is just below tower mountain at the end of the Castle mountain mastiff. Coming back down this trail I veared off to go around the back side of the lake and get some different views, which turned out to be a great simple side trip.

Note: Click any images to view larger versions!

The main feature I wanted to photograph was this awesome bounder that just stands out at the bottom of the skree and it is a monster piece of rock that stayed intact. Its obviously been there a VERY long time, since the top has enough soil on it to support several 40' trees growing on it. I was hoping to climb it, but this one would definitely need some trad gear and a rope, as its much more difficult than expected once I got up close. There are overhangs on a few of the sides also, limiting the options completely.

This photo is just to show the difference you can have between a little bit of processing and by using different cameras. Completely different colors

Here is another High Dynamic Range (HDRs)

Kind of an odd sickly looking tree with its few branches, but it was one of just a few among some large boulders and scree slope so its obviously survived the falling rock. Made an interesting photo I thought anyway with the lower lake behind.

The lake reflections turn out great with just a few tiny ripples in the water!

There is a tiny little island about 50' out in the lake with just enough room for one tree on it. Perfect!

Ha, I don't often get shots of me getting shots, but my friend took this while I was hand holding the previous panoramas over the lake.

This is looking back up the trail to the headwall (on on the left side) holding back the upper lake. The clouds are fading the light in and out quickly with these few lake photos.

And to the right, this is the way back out, through the lower valley and down the 7km hike out.

Still a few last photos to be taken in the blast of colorful larches.

I hope you liked this series, as always, I'd love your comments and follows to catch my next ones! Thanks!