Aspen in Autumn Photography Tour
17 -26 September 2018
Autumn in the Rocky Mountains is spectacular. On this tour, we are based in Aspen, one of the most aspirational winter destinations in the world – yet even more beautiful in the autumn as the aspen leaves take on their fall colours..
We are pleased to be partnering with Aspen Signature Tours who have an in-depth knowledge on this region and will accompany us on our tour.
Please see below further details for this new tour on offer for 2018.
Inclusions9 nights accommodation with breakfast
Entry fees, all activities, transport, tax and gratuity.
One-on-one and group tuition and task sheets
Constructive feedback
Bluedog Commemorative tour shirt
Downloadable Group Photo
An opportunity to capture amazing images in an amazing location with like-minded travellers and professional, passionate photographers!
Highlights
Highlights will include the following – we are preparing the detailed itinerary and will post once finalised – but it is looking aweseome!
Gallery Tours:
Peter Like Gallery -Locally-themed landscapes from majestic visions of the Maroon Bells to Aspen’s birch trees.
Valley Fine Art – Aspen’s premier art gallery specializes in vintage Native American photography and showcases the fabulous photographic Native American works of Edward S. Curtis. Also featured is Ansel Adams, the iconic American photographer, famous for having said, ‘No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit’. As Valley Fine Art suggests, “Isn’t that notion what is in the real guts of a truly great photograph of the natural landscape”.
Red Brick Centre for the Arts - featuring the works of local Aspen photographers.
Aspen Art Museum – presents the newest evolutions in international contemporary art, many quite odd and thought-provoking. Highly controversial when built, the Museum is a distinctive woven cube building by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban, and presents a sharp contrast to the brick Victorian aesthetic of downtown Aspen.
Other Aspen activities will include:
Shopping and Street Photography Tour:
A leisurely stroll around Aspen to take in some of the more affordable shopping, including Susie’s Consignment store – often a good spot for a bargain, and some of the unique stores such as Kemosabe for handmade cowboy boots and Stetson hats, or Emporium And Flying Circus for a one-off handmade local souvenir. Or maybe Prada, Dior and similar fashion stops might be more to your liking – we’ll show you them all!
Rio Grande Trail and the John Denver Sanctuary
This trail is built within the former rail corridor of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. It is now a paved walking trail and we will take a relaxing walk on this.
Included will be a stop at the John Denver Sanctuary. Within the sanctuary is the largest perennial flower garden set within an environmentally sound wetlands filter system. The Song Garden features many of the iconic singer’s lyrics etched into native river boulders placed in a perfect circle to represent the circle of life as a score of music. At the circle’s centre, a single Colorado Blue Spruce symbolizes the spirit of John Denver. The John Denver Sanctuary provides an ideal setting for quiet meditation and many regard it as a highlight of their stay in Aspen.
Holden Marolt Ranching Museume Walk
A leisurely guided walk around an ‘often-unseen-by-tourists’ part of Aspen to the Holden Marolt Museum, built in 1891 to process ore mined from the mountains around Aspen into silver. Within two years it had to be shut down when a change in US government policy led to a huge drop in silver production. In 1990 it was recognised as a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Aspen Farmers Markets
From mid-June to mid-October, locals and tourists spend their Saturday mornings at the 20-year-old Aspen Farmer’s Market. It has become a local’s Saturday tradition to stroll through the market for fresh veggies early in the mornings. The very strict criteria only allows Colorado made, grown and produced items.
Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells are a series of distinctively bell-shaped, wine-coloured peaks towering 14,000 feet above the pristine, glacial Maroon Valley, and are regarded as ‘the most photographed peaks in North America’. Once seen, the iconic image of the Maroon Bells will remain with you forever. The area is also home to moose and black bear. Sunrise at Maroon Bells is a photographer’s delight – keen photographers from around the globe take places around the lake to catch the first of the sun’s rays as they hit the Bells. Some may also like to hike the surrounding trails which lead to vast meadows, rugged glacial lakes and alpine tundra – a vivid representation of the wild Rocky Mountain range. These hikes are more suited to an experienced hiker in good physical condition as they can be rocky and rough under foot.
Ashcroft/Pine Creek Cookhouse Hike
For those that like a hike we can allow time for you to do this 3.5-mile round-trip (around 3-5 hours, including lunch/dinner). It is a lovely easy/moderate river-side hike meandering through aspen glens. The trail begins in Ashcroft ghost town at an elevation of 9,500ft and takes us to Pine Creek Cookhouse (9,800ft), a delightful, remote log cabin – an absolute must do when in Aspen. Lovely to do at sunset to experience the bustling activity of early evening while the alpenglow lights up the valley.
Aspen Mountain Jeep Tour
This ¾ day jeep trip begins with a spectacular drive up Aspen Mountain with views of Aspen town way below us. From here we proceed along Richmond Ridge passing through high alpine flora, surrounded by spectacular views of many of Colorado’s 14,000 ft peaks. We then pass Taylor Lake before a rugged descent and drive through Castle Creek Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Aspen area.
Sunset Moutnain BBQ Dinner
We’re into cowboy/cowgirl mode! We will be picked up at our hotel in a rustic jeep and taken up Snowmass Mountain to the historic Burlingame Cabin to enjoy a delicious bbq dinner hot off the grill, a campfire and ‘live’ music as we watch the sun set behind the mountain ranges that extend across the Roaring Fork Valley.
West End Walking Tour with the Asdpen Historical Society
A quiet sanctuary in the most expensive area of Aspen, the West End is an elegant and historic residential area with tree-lined streets, Victorian homes which once were old miners’ cottages and upscale modern architectural dwellings. We will take a beautiful stroll with the Aspen Historical Society showcasing the history and architecture, the homes and the people who live in them.
From this walk, we will go to the quaint Explore Bookstore on Main Street for lunch in the Atrium at Pyramid Bistro.
Historical Pub Tour
We’ll take a guided tour of Aspen’s historic bar haunts and hear about the bars’ history and local lore….from the Red Onion to Justice Snow’s to the J-Bar. Post tour, we’ll linger longer at the HOTEL JEROME J-BAR, one of Aspen’s favourite watering holes and long-time hang-out of Hunter S. Thompson. The must-try is the Aspen Crud, the J-Bar’s celebrated drink. This ‘milkshake with a kick’ was invented around Prohibition time when the J-Bar was converted to a soda fountain. (Basically it’s vanilla icecream and bourbon!)
Serving guests for more than a century, the Hotel Jerome was built in the 1880s and is now one of Aspen’s major landmarks. In 1986 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is said that prominent film stars and personalities often stayed in the hotel – including John Wayne and Gary Cooper.
Independence Pass
‘A Road Worth Travelling’ …according to CNN.com, the drive from Independence Pass to Aspen will take your breath away. The highest paved mountain pass in Colorado, Independence Pass sits at an elevation of 12,095ft/3,687m on the Continental Divide. It passes clear rivers, beautiful valleys, steep peaks, aspen forests AND, in parts, overlooks Kevin Costner’s stunning ranch!
All aboard the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain. A visit to Aspen would not be complete without riding the Silver Queen Gondola, a 12-minute ride, showcasing forever views and the ski trails of Aspen Mountain.
PLUS we plan the option of a 2-hour presentation by one of Aspen’s leading photographic professionals.
Price
Book and deposit before 28 May 2018
Twin Share* $5, 895pp
Single $6,9550pp
Land only
A non refundable deposit of $600.00 pp must accompany your booking application. A following payment of 50% is due 5 March 2018. The balance of monies owing (inc. any optional extras) is due and payable before 15 May 2018.
*Twin share pricing is subject to availability.
To Join
Applications to join the tour are now open. Upon application you receive the scheduled itinerary and booking form.
On acceptance you will receive an email with further information.
Minimum numbers are required.
For more information on the photography and tour details
Danielle Lancaster
Bluedog Photography
Tel: +61 7 5545 4777
Email: info@blue-dog.com.au
