Lens-Artists Challenge #418: Memories
Memories have an interesting way of playing with our minds. Big or small, they stay vivid when they play an important part in our lives. That was true of this short, scenic trail in Breckenridge. We first hiked it in the summer of 2023, and when we returned to Colorado this fall, we found ourselves reliving those memories. The season had changed, and so had the trail. It felt like the perfect place to feature for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge, hosted by Tina: Memories. She says, “Some of our fondest memories were made during our travels.” I wholeheartedly agree with her. Please look at Tina’s post for more directions and to enjoy the beautiful memories she shared.
On our way back from Boreas Pass, my husband, Keith, and I made a quick stop at the Snowflake Trailhead. Tucked at the base of the Snowflake Lift, near where Four O’Clock Road meets Kings Crown Road, this short trail climbs gently for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to Sawmill Reservoir. You may see it called the Snowflake Trail or the Sawmill Trail, but I’m going with the name on the sign at the parking area. On that first visit, we hiked all the way to the reservoir and back. This time, the reservoir wasn’t the goal. What drew us back was the creek and the wooden bridges that cross it, so we followed the water for a while and turned around before reaching the top.
The trail is not steep. The ground is soft and covered with pine needles, and the sound of Sawmill Creek keeps you company the whole way. For me, the biggest attractions are the many wooden bridges and the small waterfalls along the trail. In late September, the shrubs lining the creek were turning yellow and gold, adding a touch of fall color to the evergreen forest.
“We do not remember days, we remember moments.”
Cesare Pavese
This was my first stop for a long exposure along the creek. I hadn’t brought a tripod, so I rested my camera on a bridge to keep it steady and shot at 1/4 second. Being that close to the water was both peaceful and refreshing.
“Memory is the only paradise from which we cannot be driven.”
Jean Paul
Three years ago, I photographed this same bridge and wanted to reshoot it with subtle fall colors. The ground was soft, and dappled light added to the scene’s mood. This time, we were the only people around. If you look between the leaning tree trunks, you can spot Keith enjoying this serene walk.
“Life is not what one lived, but what one remembers
and how one remembers it in order to recount it.”
Gabriel García Márquez
Near the end of our trek, twin wooden bridges led us deeper into this wonderful forest-bathing experience. Only a gentle breeze and the soft flow of the creek beside the trail broke the quiet. Just past these bridges, a ladder would have taken us up toward the reservoir. Instead, we turned around. My best guess is that we covered 1 to 1.5 miles (1.6 to 2.4 km) before heading back.
“No man ever steps in the same river twice,
for it’s not the same river
and he’s not the same man.”
Heraclitus
On the way back, I made one more long exposure, again using a bridge to steady my camera, this time at 1/15 second. I experimented with several compositions and chose this diagonal cascade, framed by yellowing leaves, as my favorite.
Sometimes the best part of a trail isn’t where it ends. On this visit, the reservoir could wait. The creek was the whole story. We relived it with joy.
If you go: The trailhead sits at the base of the Snowflake Lift, off Four O’Clock Road. Parking there is very limited, with only four spaces, so consider walking or biking from downtown Breckenridge or taking the Breckenridge Free Ride bus (yellow route). The trail is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) one way to Sawmill Reservoir, with a few hundred feet of elevation gain, starting at roughly 10,000 feet (3,050 m). It’s for hikers only; mountain bikers use the nearby Reservoir Trail instead.
I want to thank each one of you who led the Lens-Artists team and me to some great destinations. The responses to my challenge were nothing short of spectacular. I hope you will also join this week’s challenge. Don’t forget the “lens-artists” hashtag. It helps everyone find your response in the Reader.
Next week, John will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in then to learn more about the challenge. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
That is the story behind the shots. For more like this, enjoy these related stories: Breckenridge, Colorado, Fall Foliage, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Sawmill Creek, Snowflake Trailhead, and Sunday Stills. Until the next shoot, keep chasing the light and the wonders it reveals.
- Posted for Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Colors of Lava and Black.
- Sawmill Trail — MTB Project — https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/6545888/sawmill-trail
- Three Easy Hikes From Downtown Breckenridge — GoBreck — https://www.gobreck.com/trip-ideas/hiking/three-easy-hikes-from-downtown-breckenridge/
- Trail Highlight: Sawmill Trail — Breckenridge Grand Vacations — https://blog.breckenridgegrandvacations.com/trail-highlight-sawmill-trail
- Sawmill Reservoir — COTREX (Colorado Trail Explorer) — https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/157970
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Leya
Moments to remember – I can feel your joy. Such beautiful memories and beautiful pictures. Nature is our greatest treasure of life and love. So glad you could hike there again – I would have loved it too.
Egidio Leitao
You said it best that nature is our greatest treasure. Thanks for your great words and support.
Sofia Alves
You capture this place’s beauty so well, Egídio, it makes me wish I was truly there.
Egidio Leitao
I wish we could be there again, Sofia. It’s a great place to visit and walk around. Thanks for commenting.
aura
Great shots and lovely quotes! Thanks for the virtual hike.
Egidio Leitao
Glad you could come along. Thanks, Aura.
Steve Schwartzman
Positioning a flow of water on a photograph’s diagonal strikes me as a relatively uncommon approach. That novelty adds to the appeal.
Egidio Leitao
It is an uncommon view. Of all the compositions I tried, that was the most pleasing to my eyes. Thanks for pointing out that appeal.
Johanna Bradley
My kind of walk, Egidio, and it would feature on my Monday walks if I wasn’t stepping away for a while. I’m just making final visits tonight and this is beautiful xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Jo. I was so happy we could do that hike again. xx
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Your images are gold, beautiful captures of the nature that you very much love and it shows in the narrative and images. I love this – so true: “We do not remember days, we remember moments
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words, Ritva. Scenes like these inspire me beyond words.
photobyjohnbo
Beautiful, Egidio! Your take on the challenge brings back my memories of hiking for over a decade in Arizona. Thanks, for the memories, as they say in the old song… Your quote from Cesare Pavese rings so true.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. It was very recent memory, but a strong one for us.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Wow, Egidio, what spectacular images! You captured the lava colors perfectly and many are so mesmerizing. That silky water fall is stunning!
Egidio Leitao
Welcome back, Terri. Thanks for this wonderful compliment.
Pamela Zmija Photography
Stunning images Egidio, I really like the twin crossing!
Egidio Leitao
Glad you liked that one. Thanks for the feedback.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Such beautiful memories and images Egidio, thank you for letting us walk along! 😊
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you came along with Bria. Thanks for writing.
margaret21
Thanks for taking us down your Memory Lane. I enjoyed your focus on paths in under-populated places.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your feedback, Margaret. I’m glad you liked that.
norasphotos4u
Beautiful long exposure photos!!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Nora. I was glad I could do them without a tripod.
Vicki
What a beautiful and memorable hike, Egidio. Your images capture the atmosphere perfectly and I can almost smell the scent of trees and foliage surrounding your trail.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Vicki. I didn’t think of making a video this time. I may have one from the previous hike on that trail three years ago.
Lindy Le Coq
Stunning shots, Egídio. The whole experience looks and sounds wonderful. Falling Gold is my favorite!
Egidio Leitao
Lindy, thanks for your feedback. Of all the different compositions I tried in Falling Gold, that diagonal shot was my favorite.
bushboy
Fabulous photo of a fabulous place Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Brian, thanks a million for this feedback. I’m glad you liked the photos.
pamperrault21
Oh, Egidio, this is a really wonderful post! Your images and narrative are as good as you always share and I really like the Cesare Pavese quote (truer words, non?!?). My favourite image is the first one – all natural, it simply begs exploration, doesn’t it. Lovely theme and post Egidio! pp
Egidio Leitao
As always, your words reward my soul. Thank you very much, Pam.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, what a beautiful post. I enjoyed the images, the quotes, and the story of your hike. The creek images are amazing.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, the first time on that trail was a surprise. Now, it was a peaceful reconnection. Thanks for your feedback.
Writing to Freedom
What beautiful photos, setting, and memories to share with Keith and us. Thanks Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Brad, thank you for taking the time to write. I appreciate your feedback.
Writing to Freedom
My pleasure.
Anne Sandler
What a beautiful trail to visit again and again. I’m sure you and Keith find something different each time.
Egidio Leitao
Anne, we were not sure what to find, but the rewards were immense. Thanks for writing.
Tina Schell
I always love your posts Egidio but this one may be at the top of my list for favorites. One can almost smell the aroma of fall in the forest your images are so real. What a beautiful place for a talented photographer and his very patient partner!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for this touching response. Thanks for your kind words and excellent challenge that inspired me for this post.