Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

I have been "advised" that we will be flying to Golden Co at the end of August. Since my camera gear will be carry-on, I am trying to reduce the size of gear. I can carry most of the lenses + camera in a Lowepro 200 bag. I will take 12-24mm ,24-85 mm, & 70-300 mm. I will leave my 80-400mm at home.

Any suggestions as to equipment and places to visit? (other than Coors) Mostly shoot landscape & wildlife. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Unless there is a decided difference in quality I would take the 80-400mm instead of the 70-300mm.
And for weight ... maybe take a 50mm F/1.8 instead of the 24-85.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Head west on I 70 past golden to Argo Town Gold Mine, Mill, & Museum. Then on west to Georgetown and the narrow gauge railroad. If you are feeling energetic you can also go on west on I 70 to exit 216 and take U.S. 6 over Loveland pass and on to Dillon. Then west to Eisenhower tunnel.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

St Mary's Glacier - it's about 30 min's from Golden (depending on traffic)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/st-marys-glacier-idaho-springs

cntry Loc: Colorado

Go north about an hour to Estes Park...gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Check out the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park - they filmed The Shining there, it's an old hotel, they allow you to tour the first floor and grounds and give tours of the bottom floor, lots of photo ops. Take Trail Ridge Road over the mountain, the elk are usually pretty cooperative about being photographed and there are some great photo ops along the way. Take a jacket, it may be in the 80-90's in Estes Park, but it will be cool at the top. Unfortunately, beetle kill has decimated the lodge pole pine on the west side of the mountain and have found their way to the east side as well, but not as bad. Fortunately, the best photo ops are above tree line :wink: . It's a high pass, any dizziness or headaches are the first sign of altitude sickness...turn around and go back down - the photo ops aren't that great to risk your health.

On the way to Estes Park you'll pass the Colorado Cherry Company...small nondescript restaurant/store. Stop and pick up some Chokecherry Jelly and a bottle of Cherry Cider...you'll thank yourself later! :-D

ocpd44 Loc: The Real OC

Too bad Sam's Place on Lookout Mountain isn'tmthere anymore. Great beer and viewsmthrough a hugempicture window across the back of the place.

pfillius Loc: Hercules, East SF Bay, CA USA

Coors for sure, a great place to tour. In addition, take a flash and a lightweight tri-pod, if you have room, and don't neglect to sample the fine restaurants there and have fun. My visits have been in the fall (Octoberish) and the fall colors are wonderful.

Paul

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

You brought back some fond memories. I don't want to kidnap this stream, but it was at Sam's Place on Lookout Mountain MANY years ago that I drank my first 'legal' beer, (Coors 3.2). Oh, while up there, make sure to photograph the grave... can't remember ... think it was Buffalo Bill. (At least ONE of the several places he's purportedly buried.) Had a picture taken of me then with the first Polaroid camera made. It's completely faded out and all white now. I think it was around 1949-1950.

1click2go Loc: Atlanta

Suggest checking out Lookout Mtn. It overlooks Golden, CO ( Coors). There is also a museum at the top and Boettcher Estate as well as a small park where you can see Golden below. Then there is Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. Absolutely a breathtaking drive to the top.
Otherwise, if you have the time, just explore. Colorado has some of the most beautiful scenery in the US. Enjoy!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Take a camera and lens that give good panoramic photos. I am still on my way home from Vail, Beaver Creek. Still lots of snowpack!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

The Argo gold mine is great. I did an HO n3 (narrow gauge) model of that area using corp of engineer terrain maps and historical photos. Great photo ops in the area. The Georgetown Loop if still running is great. Also if you can. take the many narrow gauge train trips.. Durrango to Silverton, etc.. all have great views and photo ops. The Durango to Silverton and the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad are two really good ones. Rio Grande leaves from Alamosa Co. near Denver.

http://www.colorado.com/activities/trains

gessman Loc: Colorado

You were going really good there for a pretty good distance but something happened after you went over Loveland Pass 'cause when you came down in Dillon, you'd bypassed the Eisenhower tunnel and it's gonna be back east of you now and if you take it, you'll be going back to Denver. Before you make such a trip, google "altitude sickness" and pay very close attention. It starts with an intense headache at the base of your skull. Move slowly unless you are young, not obese, and/or in tremendous physical condition.

Be aware of the potential for balance problems and lightheadedness at the top of Loveland Pass, if you go that way, or high altitude anywhere else above 10,000 ft. including Trail Ridge Road or Independence Pass, should you consider those. Smokers may experience other issues related to a lack of oxygen. Be aware that smoking is banned in many situations in Colorado, in bars, casinos, restaurants, etc., and that alcohol goes a long way at altitude - the higher you go, the less you need. One beer will equal 2 to 3 and if falling off a mountain is of any interest to you, that's just enough beer to help you achieve that goal but not quite enough to make it seem like fun on the way down for even a few seconds. Understand, please, that I speak from a 77 year history of inexperience beyond casual observation.

Actually, if this is your first visit to Colorado, you'll find no shortage of things to photograph and you should feel very gratified that you aren't shooting film and blowing away a couple of months worth of whatever else it costs you to enjoy yourself, maybe sacrificing the ability to buy a new Harley or whatever. Just don't get bit by the Gold Fever bug and start thinking about coming back to live. We're isolated in the middle of the country here and apart from some food supply lines petering out a few hundred miles short of here, in many ways some of us still have the mentality of those who came here during the gold rush on a couple of beers with a strong urge to go somewhere, anywhere, hell bent on digging a deep hole in the rocks in sub-arctic temperatures with only a pickaxe and a shovel. I'll tell you, when all your money is gone them broads in the saloon won't find you to be very attractive. It gets lonely here on a cold night, I hear. Be sure and bring your own woman 'cause a lot of them that's unattached here get to lookin' pretty rough on anything short of about a six pack and often if you can get them boots off of 'em you'll wished you hadn't, I hear.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

:-D :-D :-D

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Leadville, Buena Vista (Cottonwood Pass), Salida, Lake George. Be sure and take a light jacket... I have taken some of my favorite wow picts in this area!