Christmas in Sedona

So I spent the 4 days around Christmas this year camping and mountain biking around Sedona, Arizona. If you've never been there, words can't describe the spectacular beauty of the place. The contrast of red and white rock, against the green conifers turns every view into an aesthetic dream. Fortunately the only things better than the view are the trails, so I didn't take too many photos. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

White Sands: Just a Taste

I just got back from 3 days in Southwestern New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. I spent one night in White Sands National Monument and one night in the Gila Wilderness. Both places were absolutely amazing! And although 24 hours in White Sands is all you'll need, the views I saw will stay with me for life. As for the Gila Wilderness, I think I could live there for a year and not see all of its wonder.

Either way, the next 3-5 posts will most likely center around this trip and those destinations. So please keep checking back for updates, I'll try to be fairly regular. In the meantime enjoy a little taste of White Sands.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

Humphreys Peak Trail

I think I could spend a solid decade exploring Northern Arizona and still not be satisfied. Unfortunately it's located at a much higher elevation than Tucson(about 3000-4000ft higher), so I've been trying to get in a few trips before it gets too cold for my already thinned Tucson blood. This past weekend I decided to try to slip in an attempt at the highest peak in AZ, Humphreys Peak (12,600+ft) before I needed any gear that includes metal spikes of any kind. As luck would have it, it snowed on the mountain 4-6 inches the day before I was able to get up north. After receiving mixed advice from the guys at Babbit's, I decided it was worth a shot. I hit slush within the first half mile of this 4.8 mile one way trek. It only got whiter from there. Not expecting so much snow, I was only mildly prepared. I managed to huff it up to 11,800 ft, a saddle 3 peaks over from the big show, at which point the 30 mph winds and teen to 20's temperature made me turn around. Oh yeah and the fact that visibility was around 20 yards, it didn't seem worth the view. And anyway, I was already making tentative plans on returning on either skies or snowshoes in a few months.

On a side note: these photos were shot with a lower end point and shoot, so if there is some quality missing compared to my normal photos that is why. The hike was too beautiful not to share photos of.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
The Good Life Photography

Mountain Biking in Colorado Springs

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love anything that has to do with bikes. However, if you know me well, you know that I haven't done much mountain biking. But I wasn't about to let little things like experience and ability stop me from getting in on some great mountain biking with some great riders. Of course all but two of our group hadn't brought bikes with us, so it was 5 of us with bottom of the line GT Avalanche 3.0 rentals trying to keep up with a guy with a Santa Cruz full suspension monster. Let's just say the bikes weren't pretty when we dropped them off.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

There aren't lifts on every downhill mountain in CO.

Helping a friend out on the last leg.

Red Rock Canyon double track.

Garden of the Gods single track.

Jeb on Lower Jacks

The Grand Canyon

My first trip to the Grand Canyon was unfortunately so early on in my life that I have no recollection of it all. However, 19 years later I finally made another trip. Walking up to Mather Point on the South Rim and watching the huge expanse open up in front of me is something I will never forget. Since then I have gone back two more times, and I plan on going back as many times as I can. With it's endless trails, climbing, and beautiful scenery, I can't imagine ever getting tired of being there. In my dream of life after photography I'll make it a must on the list of places to be a campground host.

On a side note, I shot mostly 120 film up while up at the Canyon, with my early 1950's Ansco Deluxe. While shooting I couldn't help imagining a time when the park was filled with people shooting the same old bellows cameras and Kodak Brownies. I'm currently waiting on that film to be processed. But in the mean time here is a digital one to hold you over.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography