Lake Marie Sunrise

Lake Marie should be high on your list of places to go visit in Wyoming if you're into high-alpine lakes with majestic views. I've heard about this lake for several years, ever since David Kingham was taking photos like this; I've wanted to go there. 

A couple years ago I went there with Rick Louie on our way to Grand Teton National Park and it was a beautiful morning, with intense alpenglow on the peaks above Lake Marie. We left Boulder at 3 something in the morning and arrived at Lake Marie shortly before sunrise. The lake still had a ton of snow around the edges, as well as on the creek that I really wanted to go photograph. I passed on it as I didn't want to fall through the snow and get swept through a culvert. 

One of the best things about going to Lake Marie is the drive to and from, no matter where you're coming from. If you're leaving from Laramie, you'll drive through the high plains to beautiful alpine meadows and forests. If you're coming from the other side, it's a high mountain pass with beautiful scenery in all directions as well. Since it's not too far from Boulder, I'm planning on going up there after I shoot a wedding on Friday night, then shooting photos on Saturday. Below is a description of the area from the Wyoming Board of Tourism. 

“Driving time along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway from one forest boundary to the other depends on the interests of the visitor. Driving straight through during the summer tourist season will take about an hour. Stopping to enjoy the magnificent scenery, the many points of interest, or adventures like camping and fishing can extend travel time by several hours or even days. Approachable from the west or east, the Byway route rises from 8,000 ft. on the valley floor to a height of 10, 847 ft. above sea level. The Byway closes for the season in mid-November, and traditionally reopens with the help of snowplows before Memorial Day weekend.”

Canon 5D Mk. III, 17mm, 4 sec., f/18, ISO 50 - Buy a print here