We needed a break from the Sneffels so we drove east up a really bumpy road with lots of switchbacks named Owl Creek Pass or CR 10. Photographers that we had run into told us there was some good Aspen up on the road and if we drove 'long enough' we would got to Jack Silver Reservoir. We were also told that sunset was the best time. Rick just sent me an email and noted that this is the area where the movie True Grit with John Wayne was filmed. May have to finally watch the movie! Thanks Rick.
After 12 miles of bumping along this very dusty road we came around a curve and saw a dozen cars parked with about 20 photographers standing in front of tripods on the other side of the road looking at something. We were surprised!! So, of course we HAD to find a parking space and check it out. We did not know that we would be passing by a favorite spot to photograph Chimney Rock at sunset. We grabbed our tripods and tried to find a good spot without being rude to other photographers. It was about 45 minutes before sunset so we did what you would expect . . . chat with other photographers, compare photography apps, check and recheck our settings and capture an image if the light changed, even slightly. The following images are pretty much the same in composition as we were not moving around (don't want to lose your prime real estate). As I think back, I wish I had set up a time-lapse sequence as the clouds were moving quickly and towards the end the color changed enough that it could have been interesting.
A few photographers stayed for blue hour photography. We chose to head down the road. We joined a long line of cars. What a great afternoon photo trip. Wish you had been along with us.