Winter Reset in the Sawatch Range
Twin Lakes showing off—gold at first, then shifting into pinks and purples as the sun dropped.
The day after Thanksgiving, my wife and I decided to take an impromptu trip up to the Leadville, Colorado area—one of our favorite places to escape to when we need a quick reset. It’s only a couple hours from home, simple enough for a 1–2 day getaway, and every time we’re there the Sawatch Range reminds us why we keep coming back.
When we arrived, the weather was sunny and clear, and the peaks had just a light dusting of snow across the high country. It felt like the calm before winter fully arrived. That night, though, the first real snowstorm of the season rolled through and completely transformed everything. We woke up to a quiet, white landscape and that unmistakable stillness you get in the Colorado mountains after a fresh storm.
No matter how often I’m here, the peaks of the Sawatch Range are always the first thing that grab my attention. They line the horizon in every direction and make it impossible to forget where you are.
An old cabin in the valley outside Leadville—still standing after countless winters.
The Old Cabin That Refuses to Collapse
There’s an old cabin in the valley that just pulled me in. These weathered structures always make me wonder who lived there, what their days looked like, and what it was like waking up to these same mountains long before Leadville was what it is now.
That morning was peaceful—no people around, just the cool winter wind and the kind of quiet you can only get in the Colorado high country. Even with the sun shining, the cold made it tough to photograph for long. What continues to surprise me is that the cabin is still standing at all. It has endured decades of storms, heavy snow, and everything the Rockies have thrown at it. Yet somehow, there it is every year, holding on.
-1° wind chill, but the moment the sun hit the ridge made it worth it.
First Light on the Ridge
One of my favorite moments from the weekend was watching the first light hit a lone peak along the ridge. The wind chill was -1°, the kind of cold that makes you question your decisions, but the sunrise over the Sawatch Range made all of it worth it. There’s something about those first few minutes of light—quiet, intentional, and full of anticipation.
When I photograph scenes like this, my hope is that people won’t just notice the beauty, but also the purpose and design behind it. These mountains tell a bigger story if you’re willing to slow down and see it.
Even the hikers coming down from Mount Elbert stopped to take in this moment.
A Sunset at Twin Lakes That Refused to Quit
We ended up at Twin Lakes, and like always, I had no idea what the sunset would do. I haven’t developed any sixth sense for reading sunsets—I just show up and hope for the best. This one started with deep golds and oranges, then slowly shifted into soft pinks and purples as the sun dropped behind Mount Elbert and the rest of the Sawatch Range.
We stayed until every last bit of color faded. It took a while, but watching the full cycle of a Twin Lakes sunset is something I never get tired of.
One moment that stood out: hikers coming down from Mount Elbert—tired, hungry, ready to be done—still stopped and watched the sky for a few minutes. It didn’t matter how exhausted they were. When nature puts on a show like this, you pause. You can’t help it.
The road into Leadville always seems to open up toward something bigger.
Why I Keep Coming Back Here
This part of Colorado consistently helps me clear my mind. Life gets busy, fast, and it’s easy to get lost in the noise. Being in the Sawatch Range slows everything down. The rest of the world falls to the background, and what matters becomes a little more obvious again.
Beyond the beauty itself, this place acts like a reset for me. A reminder of what’s truly important. A reminder to breathe. And a reminder that sometimes the simplest landscapes can speak the loudest.
It’s a rhythm I need—and one I’ll keep coming back to.
