Chasm Lake: Behind the Shot

The towering 14k ft Long’s Peak (Neníisótoyóú’u) illuminated by first light reflecting in the calm waters of Chasm Lake. A powerful image of an iconic peak from the Colorado Front Range.

I left the Long’s peak trailhead at midnight, hiking slow and methodically to Chasm Lake, alone, above treeline and under the setting moon and bursting starry night. My initial goal was to shoot the Milky Way arising out of Long’s summit knowing that I would also get to shoot sunrise light hitting the Diamond. As the night grew old, the milky way began to fade and the rock walls around me began to brighten, climbers passed me in silence as they moved onto higher endeavors. Though slightly jealous I wasn’t climbing higher, I knew I would have my own awe-inspiring experience to capture as the light began to cast pink/red/orange hues onto the 2000 vertical foot rock face. Slowly, the light moved down the face the surrounding shadowed rock walls framed the vibrant and glowing rock, all reflected in still snow fed waters. I captured a multi-image panorama to maintain as much details as possible in this powerful, yet tranquil scene.