Maroon Bells Reflection
by Inge Johnsson
Title
Maroon Bells Reflection
Artist
Inge Johnsson
Medium
Photograph - Digital Capture, Watermark Not On Actual Print
Description
The Maroon Bells are two peaks in the Elk Mountains, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, separated by about a third of a mile. The mountains are about 12 miles southwest of Aspen. Both peaks are fourteeners. Maroon Peak, at 14,156 feet, is the 27th highest peak in Colorado; North Maroon Peak, at 14,014 feet, is the 50th highest. The view of the Maroon Bells to the southwest from the Maroon Creek valley is one of the most famous scenes in Colorado, and is reputed to be the "most-photographed spot in Colorado" and one of Colorado's premier scenic overlooks. The peaks are located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of White River National Forest.
A US Forest Service sign on the access trail refers to these mountains as "The Deadly Bells" and warns would-be climbers of "downsloping, loose, rotten and unstable" rock that "kills without warning". Unlike other mountains in the Rockies that are composed of granite and limestone, the Bells are composed of metamorphic sedimentary mudstone that has hardened into rock over millions of years. Mudstone is weak and fractures readily, giving rise to dangerously loose rock along almost any route. The mudstone is responsible for the Bells' distinctive maroon color. The Bells got their "deadly" name in 1965 when eight people died in five separate accidents.
Maroon Lake (9,580') occupies a basin that was sculpted by Ice-Age glaciers and later dammed by landslide and rockfall debris from the steep slopes above the valley floor.
Uploaded
September 27th, 2014
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Viewed 2,940 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 04/24/2024 at 10:07 AM
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Comments (21)
Gary McJimsey
A breathtaking beauty of the Colorado Maroon Bells. Bravo. Congratulations Inge for 1st place in All Colorado Contest. LF/P/T
Gary F Richards
Spectacular Maroon Bells Reflection composition, lighting, shading, stunning colors and artwork! F/L
Lorraine Baum
Congratulations on your first place win in the All COLORADO contest with this magnificent image Inge! L/F
Adrienne Wilson
Stunning scene. What gorgeous vibrant color and reflections. Wonderful clarity. Congratulations on your win.
Larry Kniskern
Congratulations, Inge – your stunning scene has been selected as an Honorable Mention from the Go Take a Hike Photography Group’s Fall Landscape photo contest! It has been placed in the Special Recognition thread in the group discussion board for archive.
Bill Morgenstern
Great image Inge. As a side note to your "Deadly Bells" information, I was a USFS employee the summer of 65' stationed in Aspen and helped with the mountain rescue efforts in 3 of the accidents you mention.
Judy Vincent
Congratulations! This image was chosen as a special feature in the "Landscape and Landmark Photography" group on 10/12/14!