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South Colony Lakes
In July, my dad and I saddled up our iron horses (yamaha xt225s) and met up at the vehicle staging area before where the road turns to 4WD.
I had my painting gear and my dad had his fishing gear and we took off up the trail for a perfect day in the Sangre De Cristo Range outside of Westcliffe, CO. A little over 5 miles, a couple of creek crossings, and a couple of breathers on a pretty rough four wheel drive road led us to the trail 
head just below timberline.
I’ll tell ya, a motorcycle is the way to get in on a 4WD road if you want haste. I think we were up at the trail head in 20 minutes. 
It would take at least an hour or two in a vehicle. We locked up our bikes and walked in to one of the most breathtaking high alpine cirques you can imagine.
I was taking pictures like a wildman and soon set up the easel at the lower lake outlet while my dad rigged his rod to do a little trout slaying (catch and release, of course)!!
When I was done with my first field study, I walked up to the upper lake at the base of the 
Crestone Needle and took a bunch more pictures.
I set up my easel again and knocked another one out of the upper lake. 
About when I was done, a little weather was starting to move in and I got some of the best pictures of the day.
I just love a prelude to a storm when the clouds are moving in and light is still making its way through in spots. Enjoy the pictures and let me know your thoughts if you
have time.
8 Responses to “South Colony Lakes”
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Josh, how long did you have to walk up the trailhead- was it very far to the lakes- nice paintings!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for commenting, the hike from where you can 4wd in to is only about a mile and a half. If you dont have a 4wd vehicle, it’s about 7 miles to the upper lake.
Spectacular!!
Thanks Josh, Looking forward to the Colorado Mountain Plein Air paintout in Salida in September- will see you then!!
WOW-you may be on your way to being the leading landscape artist in the nation. Certainly you’ve nailed that spot in Colorado. Lois
Hi Josh:
Will you be at the Sedona Plein Art Festival? I’m looking forward to seeing your wonderful paintings there! We very much enjoy the one I purchased last year.
Wow, a good thing you didn’t release your catches!
On our way back from Colorado & checking out your site via hotel computer. WOW!!! Your work is fantastic & am so glad we were able to see it first hand in person. Thanks for everything. You and Laura did a fantastic job.
Unbelievable Josh. I was at that very spot 30 years ago. We camped out and almost got mauled by a bear during the night. Awesome place to paint though.