Author Archives: sjackson@40bworks.com

Looping in the Sangres, CO

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It was to be an atmospheric weekend, loping along the Venable-Comanche loop in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado.

We had an enjoyable, scenic walk up the Venable valley, but as we neared Venable Lake, stormy weather surrounded us.

We quickly discovered that the most sheltered camp near the lake was also home to overly curious marmots and a bunny. It required convincing dissuasion to keep them away from our salt-enriched belongings. They found our pole handles and backpack straps particularly enticing.

Sunrise was misty and magical. We headed uphill towards the Phantom Terrace.

True to its name, the Phantom Terrace disappears into its rocky surrounds. There are a few tantalizing seeps along the way.

We chose to wait out the stormy afternoon at Comanche Lake and were rewarded with bright morning light the following day.

It was a perfect time to climb Comanche Peak at 13,200 feet. We had views to peaks and valleys on both sides of the montain range.

Summer flowers added to the beauty of the landscape.

As did the lakes, tarns and flowing creeks.

And all too soon, the day of our departure dawned.

Summer Landscapes ’22

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I’ve wandered through diverse landscapes this summer – from attending a wedding at Boston’s Harbor Islands, to discovering a miner’s cabin high in the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness. I enjoyed painting the Crystal River near Redstone, CO at a Plein Air Festival, and outlining Mt Sopris from Red Hill, above Carbondale. Here is a sampling of watercolors:

View at Thompson Island, Boston
Miner’s Cabin, Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness
Tarn Colors Turn
“Crystal Clear” at Redstone Plein Air Festival (Sold)
Mount Sopris Musings
Mount Sopris Reflections

Telluride Landscape

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I enjoyed a visit to the dramatic location of this Telluride Residence, the season after my landscape design was installed. The photo above shows the entry walk to the home.

The intent of the design was to create a naturalized setting for the modern residence. The home feels further naturalized by reflections of immediate and distant landscapes in the glazing.

Left: While I was there, a sudden rainstorm created “waterfalls” from the major roof gutters. Right: This image shows the interplay of a sculptural site boulder with the upper patio and roof of the residence.

The elegant entry walk is framed with greenery and color. Alliums have been successful in the landscape that is proximate to a variety of wildlife. Fortunately, marmots and squirrels don’t care for the oniony scent of Alliums.

This view shows the entry drive to the residence. Although the home is large, as seen from above, it nestles low in the landscape.

On Cedar Mesa

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Many surprises shelter below the rims of Cedar Mesa canyons. Water sources are especially magical for their life-giving qualities.

On Cedar Mesa, natural rock walls, floors and ceilings, provide shelter, and are an integral part of canyon living. Images pecked in stone tell stories, address spirits, map routes, and mark people passing. Painted pictographs abound; many are of hands pressed to stone. Indentations in the rock might be painstakingly tooled moki steps, sharpening marks, or hollows for grinding corn.

The alcoves reveal many scales of construction, from remnants of crumbling granaries, to fortified structures that are almost palatial.

Flowers of the desert provide alluring colors and tantalizing textures. They might be the beginnings of edible fruit like prickly pears, or provide medicinal qualities.

Stone-walled structures in seemingly inaccessible places blend lizard-like into the towering cliffs. Where do man-made impressions end, and natural surfaces resume? In some places, the two sing together as one.

The sun sets, the land darkens, and we wonder how many more mysteries are embraced by the canyons below.

Exploring Greater Capitol Reef

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With a five-day window for a solo hiking trip, I decided to explore the outer reaches of Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef is a spectacular area that encompasses the Waterpocket Fold. This giant rock “wrinkle” in the landscape provides stunning scenery, interesting geology and a diversity of wildlife. I would certainly not be the first person there; for centuries, the area has invited human occupation.

My first excursion showed signs of people from much earlier times having passed through. I located a scenic ridge for my camp. It commanded great views in all directions.

The creek was flowing full. I crossed it several times as I wandered downcanyon, and then returned back upcanyon to camp.

Watching the changing light is one of my favorite past-times at camp. Here’s a sequence from sunset to sunrise:

I lingered awhile, then wistfully packed camp. It was time to explore my way back to my car and head to a new camping destination.

On my way to the next canyon, I enjoyed a quick uphill hike to see the Golden Throne, as well as large complex rock formations, and distant views.

It had already been quite a day, and I had a little further to go. I descended between sheer canyon walls en route to the next camp.

It was a bit of a blustery night, but morning dawned clear and still. There were many sweet secret spots to discover.

Besides the wondrous rock formations, there was the magic of trees and shrubs that were just beginning to bloom.

I rounded a curve in the canyon to find two young bighorn sheep browsing. I kept very still for a long time. Afterwards, they didn’t seem to mind me passing by.

The canyon continued to provide tantalizing twists and turns.

I lingered as long as I could. I hope to return to this wondrous area soon!

Amazing Canyonlands Spring 2021

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Remote and awe-inspiring, exploring the Maze District of Canyonlands is a great adventure!

Dramatic drop-offs, fantastic formations, and traces of people past, were all part of this six-day backpacking trip. Initially, water was scarce, but we were treated to a magical rainstorm in the desert, followed by full waterholes and alluring pools.

The vastness of these canyonlands as experienced from the upper elevations, contrasted with the intimacy of inner narrow canyons. Surely we were experiencing four-dimensional space, or more!