Hermits Rest
Hermits Rest
Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
Image by Jack Cooksey @ www.dddd.com
Incredible location with breathtaking views sitting at about 9000' above sea level. Hermits Rest provides views of Morrow Point Reservoir, Cimarron Mountain and at least nine mountain peaks beyond Cimarron Mountain with the tallest being Storm King Peak at 13,752ft. This is a national recreation area with shaded picnic spots and seven trails for hikers
Images and location summary by Jack Cooksey
Trail Difficulty - Easy
I took this photograph just a few steps off of the Hermits Rest Trail that leads down to the Morrow Point Reservoir on the Gunnison River. Distance from the trailhead to the photo spot was approximately 250ft down the mostly level smooth, easy to traverse trail.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
8,965 ft Elevation
Photography Tips
Walk down the trail 300ft or so and see how you want to frame the shot. There are multiple possibilities. I did take a few shots at 24mm as pictured here but that was not what I was looking for. I wanted to focus on the water and its reflection, the majestic mountains in the back with just a small view of the other side at the top for depth, AND the brilliant Fall colors. With a little more time and starting a little earlier with the light a little lower one could come home with a nice collection of great images. Far more than the just "one great shot."
The glare on the water was significant with the sun's position at 11:41am. A circular polarizing filter is a must! Without it this would have been a lost shot. This was a 3 shot bracketed image merged into its final form.
Directions
View In Google earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 53 mm
Exposure – 30th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Sept 26th
Time – 11:24 AM
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Early morning
This shot faces south. With the sun rising to the left, the better lighting of the mountains, reservoir, and changing vegetation color is most likely early to late morning. Because this was an unknown location and not a planned stop, as I was headed to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, this photograph was taken at 11:41am local time. I would love to see how the light falls at an earlier time.
Best Time of Year
Hands down the best time for this kind of color is the last week in September.
The shot above was take on Sept 26th.
Lens(es) Needed
At least a range of 24 to 70mm. I always have 4 lenses available for landscapes. 15mm f/2.4, 21mm f2.4, 24-70mm f2.8, and 70-200mm f2.8.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
No permit is required at this location.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of your shot is south at 173°.
Equipment Needed
Tripod for a more percise composition and a circular polarizing filter
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Most likely very few. I was the only one there during my visit. It's an out of the way location that I'm sure many discover by accident! I know I did.
Weather
The Colorado weather is usually mild in the summer and cold (lows in the 20s) in the spring and fall. Having never been to this location in the winter, I am not sure the road is open or maintained at that time of year.
Cell Service
There is no cell service at this location.