Dukes Creek Falls

[Lizardqing]

Got off work a bit early today and on the way got to thinking about how it was nice a nice cool 75 degrees ( all week we have had heat indexes in the 105 - 110 range ) overcast and was just a long week over all. So I figured it was a great afternoon to gather the family up and take off to a hiking trail near here.

This is Dukes Creek, it is in the same proximity of my last hike photos and is in my opinion one of the most beautiful creeks around. Granted it is hard to see most of it because of the ruggedness of the area and the trees, one advantage folks in the Rockies have over us, the wide sweeping views.

This is the falls that you can see from across the valley at the start of the trail, it is I would say about 150' tall. And this is the best view of it
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5941599015_0fe8e21e20_b.jpg

The really good stuff is down below though.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5942155496_56497d5586_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5942154542_c44340b1de_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5942157796_ba8bf200aa_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5942161124_b2d271eb09_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/5941600083_605626e161_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5942159290_50df41c478_b.jpg

The biggest drawback is that you are confined to a couple of observation decks and can't get to the creek, so you have to get real creative on getting compositions you want. I know I had my camera in a few precarious positions! Unfortunately I missed the trees blooming by about a week so guess I will just have to go back next year for that. Bummer ;)

[mbrager]

These are great exposures. Caught the sunlight on the water very nicely, lots of gorgeous colors. I really like your sharp exposures of the wet rock surfaces. Favorite: 4th shot with the overhanging rock face cutting through the picture. Nice composition. Thanks for sharing these.

[Lizardqing]

Thanks. That rock really caught my attention and got a few different views of it. What I really liked about it was the fact that it was water under a rock that was under a tree.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5942156886_68fdd9107c_b.jpg

[Kawarthabob]

I really dig your part of the planet , thanks for sharing ! I can almost hear the water !

[Hillbillygirl]

Beautifully done Mbrager. Looks like a wonderful place to spend a day, you really did it justice with these.