I’ve been hoping to get up to Rocky Mountain National Park during a new moon in spring time to catch the Milky Way over Long’s Peak with some snow still clinging to the peak. I finally had an opportunity this April where a new moon lined up with a forecast for clear skies on a weekend that I actually had free. It took some commitment. I woke up at 1am to make the drive up to the park to be there while it was still pitch dark.
I had scouted out this spot months before, so I at least had a decent idea of where to go, but setting up a camera during a pitch dark night isn’t so easy. I could see the Milky Way, but I couldn’t see what else was in front of me. I fiddled around taking test shots, trying to align the composition as best I could. Next time, I need to remember to take notes about where the clear views and potential foregrounds really are.
I ended up setting up two cameras in different locations with different angles. They worked out OK, but I think there’s more to glean from this location. By the time I was done, I figured I might as well stick around for sunrise. The forecast was for zero high or mid clouds, but a fair amount of low lying clouds. Since I was fairly high up on Trail Ridge Road, it seemed like there was decent potential to be above a cloud bank.
Sure enough, as the sun started to rise, it revealed an ocean of cloud tops to the east of my location. I wasn’t really prepared for this, so I scrambled around looking for interesting angles. I think I got a few good shots, but this was definitely a learning experience. I’ll be keeping an eye on the weather forecasts for another shot at something like this.
