Continental Backbone
The granite peaks of the northern Front Range form the divide between waters flowing to the Atlantic or to the Pacific oceans. This view from Caribou Ridge (13,000’ / 4000 m) looking north includes the core of the Indian Peaks with the mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park in the distance. North Boulder Creek drains the valley directly below. At the head of the valley on the left is the rapidly disappearing Arapaho Glacier, the southernmost glacier in the Rocky Mountains, with a mostly ice and snow covered tarn just below it. Several other glacially carved lakes can be seen in the valley below it, including a lovely turquoise colored lake which receives a bit of rock flour (fine ground rock) from the glacier above it.
The wind was strong and steady as evidenced by the wave clouds to the east of the divide. Flower photos were difficult.
Peaks visible in this view include (l to r) North Arapaho Peak, Mount George, Apache Peak, Navajo Peak (shaded rocky nob in the center of the photo), Arikaree Peak, Longs Peak, Kiowa Peak, and Mount Albion. The Great Plains begin at the base of the mountains on the far right.
four-shot panorama
Continental Backbone
The granite peaks of the northern Front Range form the divide between waters flowing to the Atlantic or to the Pacific oceans. This view from Caribou Ridge (13,000’ / 4000 m) looking north includes the core of the Indian Peaks with the mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park in the distance. North Boulder Creek drains the valley directly below. At the head of the valley on the left is the rapidly disappearing Arapaho Glacier, the southernmost glacier in the Rocky Mountains, with a mostly ice and snow covered tarn just below it. Several other glacially carved lakes can be seen in the valley below it, including a lovely turquoise colored lake which receives a bit of rock flour (fine ground rock) from the glacier above it.
The wind was strong and steady as evidenced by the wave clouds to the east of the divide. Flower photos were difficult.
Peaks visible in this view include (l to r) North Arapaho Peak, Mount George, Apache Peak, Navajo Peak (shaded rocky nob in the center of the photo), Arikaree Peak, Longs Peak, Kiowa Peak, and Mount Albion. The Great Plains begin at the base of the mountains on the far right.
four-shot panorama