American Rocky Mountains- Leadville -Downtown Leadville

From Salt Lake City one travels over great plains of Colorado and up the Rocky Mountains, on the top of which is Leadville, the richest city in the world. . . They are miners men working in metals, so I lectured them on the Ethics of Art. I read them passages from the autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini and they seemed much delighted. I was reproved by my hearers for not having brought him with me. I explained that he had been dead for some little time which elicited the enquiry Who shot him? They afterwards took me to a dancing saloon where I saw the only rational method of art criticism I have ever come across. Over the piano was printed a notice: Please do not shoot the pianist. He is doing his best. Impressions of America Oscar Wilde, 1882  

Once upon a time, Leadville was the New York City of the west full of adventurers and artists. Oscar Wilde had performed at the Tabor Opera House. Today, the 10 blocks of one street town remind colorfully charming.

American Rocky Mountains - Turquoise Lake

American Rocky Mountains- Independence Pass in the Afternoon

Independence Pass, originally known as Hunter Pass, is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. It is at elevation 12,095 ft (3,687 m) on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range. The pass is midway between Aspen and Twin Lakes, on the border between Pitkin and Lake counties. A scenic overlook near the pass allows visitors to take in the alpine tundra environment above treeline, and offers excellent views to the east of Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest peak and the second-highest mountain in the contiguous United States.

American Rocky Mountains- Independence Pass at Sun Rise

American Rocky Mountains- Summer in Aspen

Aspen is a ski resort town. My first visit to Aspen was couple of years ago with Washington DC ski club in the winter. Everywhere you see was white then. This is the first time I visit it in summer. It was much quieter and nicer, more colorful and relaxed.

American Rocky Mountains - Hiking to Crystal Lake

American Rocky Mountains -Crystal Lake

The hike to Crystal Lake was moderate to difficult. It is about 6 miles from Maroon Bells in the White River National Forest. At the beginning of the trail, it was so narrow and wooded; you wondered when this was going to end? After about 3 and half miles, then you finally came to open potion of the trail, where you can see mountains and wild flowers in the open field. All of the sudden you tell yourself all this hard work is worth it. Then when you finally saw the lake, you know you had to do it.