Longs Peak Winter Sunrise
Description
This photograph was taken from the Bear Lake area in Rocky Mountain National Park. It features a winter sunrise over Longs Peak, located in Boulder County, Colorado near Estes Park. The 14,259’ summit of Longs Peak catches the first light of day, glowing with soft pink hues beneath a pastel sky. Dense forests of snow-laden spruce and fir trees blanket the foreground, capturing the quiet stillness of the alpine morning.
Story
On a morning in late April, I left my house in Denver at 3:00 AM on a hunch that snowy sunrise conditions might be just right in Rocky Mountain National Park. After two days of consistent snowfall and a chance for a break in the storm, I was hopeful to catch one last winter sunrise before warmer weather arrived.
I had visited the park three times already this winter, but each time I got socked in with almost no visibility or light. Each of these trips involve early wake up calls, hours of driving, and miles of hiking, so you can imagine I was a little frustrated with my consistent bad luck, and really needed a win!
This morning, as I neared the Bear Lake trailhead, I looked up and saw the Continental Divide and Hallett Peak glowing faintly on the horizon—finally visible through the clouds. That was a good sign. I knew if I could see those peaks from the road, there was a good chance the morning sunlight might actually make its way into the park.
As I was hiking to Dream Lake, I noticed the western sky above Dream was almost entirely void of clouds. Meanwhile, to the south, clouds above Longs Peak and the surrounding ridges looked like they were about to catch some serious light.
So I switched plans and set up along the trail instead, which turned out to be the right call. I waited patiently as sunrise light lit up the fresh snow, the low-hanging clouds, and the high peaks in a way that made the whole morning worth it.
After three failed attempts earlier this winter, I finally got the morning I’d been waiting for.
Photo © copyright by Lucian Manthey.
Description
This photograph was taken from the Bear Lake area in Rocky Mountain National Park. It features a winter sunrise over Longs Peak, located in Boulder County, Colorado near Estes Park. The 14,259’ summit of Longs Peak catches the first light of day, glowing with soft pink hues beneath a pastel sky. Dense forests of snow-laden spruce and fir trees blanket the foreground, capturing the quiet stillness of the alpine morning.
Story
On a morning in late April, I left my house in Denver at 3:00 AM on a hunch that snowy sunrise conditions might be just right in Rocky Mountain National Park. After two days of consistent snowfall and a chance for a break in the storm, I was hopeful to catch one last winter sunrise before warmer weather arrived.
I had visited the park three times already this winter, but each time I got socked in with almost no visibility or light. Each of these trips involve early wake up calls, hours of driving, and miles of hiking, so you can imagine I was a little frustrated with my consistent bad luck, and really needed a win!
This morning, as I neared the Bear Lake trailhead, I looked up and saw the Continental Divide and Hallett Peak glowing faintly on the horizon—finally visible through the clouds. That was a good sign. I knew if I could see those peaks from the road, there was a good chance the morning sunlight might actually make its way into the park.
As I was hiking to Dream Lake, I noticed the western sky above Dream was almost entirely void of clouds. Meanwhile, to the south, clouds above Longs Peak and the surrounding ridges looked like they were about to catch some serious light.
So I switched plans and set up along the trail instead, which turned out to be the right call. I waited patiently as sunrise light lit up the fresh snow, the low-hanging clouds, and the high peaks in a way that made the whole morning worth it.
After three failed attempts earlier this winter, I finally got the morning I’d been waiting for.
Photo © copyright by Lucian Manthey.
Description
This photograph was taken from the Bear Lake area in Rocky Mountain National Park. It features a winter sunrise over Longs Peak, located in Boulder County, Colorado near Estes Park. The 14,259’ summit of Longs Peak catches the first light of day, glowing with soft pink hues beneath a pastel sky. Dense forests of snow-laden spruce and fir trees blanket the foreground, capturing the quiet stillness of the alpine morning.
Story
On a morning in late April, I left my house in Denver at 3:00 AM on a hunch that snowy sunrise conditions might be just right in Rocky Mountain National Park. After two days of consistent snowfall and a chance for a break in the storm, I was hopeful to catch one last winter sunrise before warmer weather arrived.
I had visited the park three times already this winter, but each time I got socked in with almost no visibility or light. Each of these trips involve early wake up calls, hours of driving, and miles of hiking, so you can imagine I was a little frustrated with my consistent bad luck, and really needed a win!
This morning, as I neared the Bear Lake trailhead, I looked up and saw the Continental Divide and Hallett Peak glowing faintly on the horizon—finally visible through the clouds. That was a good sign. I knew if I could see those peaks from the road, there was a good chance the morning sunlight might actually make its way into the park.
As I was hiking to Dream Lake, I noticed the western sky above Dream was almost entirely void of clouds. Meanwhile, to the south, clouds above Longs Peak and the surrounding ridges looked like they were about to catch some serious light.
So I switched plans and set up along the trail instead, which turned out to be the right call. I waited patiently as sunrise light lit up the fresh snow, the low-hanging clouds, and the high peaks in a way that made the whole morning worth it.
After three failed attempts earlier this winter, I finally got the morning I’d been waiting for.
Photo © copyright by Lucian Manthey.
Print Mediums
Luxury Metal Float Print
ChromaLuxe Metal Prints offer a sleek, modern, and affordable way to display fine art landscape photography. Infused directly onto lightweight yet durable aluminum, these prints deliver rich color, crisp detail, and a stunning floating effect thanks to a pre-installed wooden float hanger. These prints arrive ready to hang with no framing needed. With exceptional archival quality and a vibrant presentation, Metal Prints are the perfect blend of beauty, durability, and value.
Lustre Photo Print
Loose Paper Prints are printed on premium Lustre Fine Art Paper, offering exceptional detail, sharp resolution, and a refined finish between matte and glossy. These unmounted prints give you the freedom to custom frame your artwork to match your space. Please note: they require careful handling and are not available larger than 24" x 36" without special request.
TruLife Acrylic Fine Art Print
TruLife Acrylic Prints are my most premium and visually striking print option, perfect for collectors seeking true gallery-quality presentation. Each piece begins with a fine art metallic paper print which is then face-mounted to a sheet of anti-reflective, scratch-resistant acrylic for breathtaking clarity, depth, and a glowing, almost backlit effect under proper lighting. A hidden wood float mount provides a sleek, modern display, and every print arrives ready to hang. For the ultimate finish, optional handcrafted Italian ROMA frames are available upon request. These prints are the pinnacle of fine art luxury.
Ordering
Choose your photo, select the size and print type, and add it to your cart. Checkout securely with all major cards, Apple Pay, Venmo, or PayPal. Invoices available upon request.
Production Process
Each order is personally reviewed and sent to my print lab within 48 hours. Most prints ship within 1–2 weeks, though large prints may take longer. If you require a rush order, please contact me.
Shipping & Packaging
Shipping is free within the United States. Prints are carefully packaged based on size and medium. Small prints will come in a cardboard box, while larger prints may come in a custom plywood crate. In the rare case of damage, I’ll replace your print at no extra cost—guaranteed.
Got questions? Check out my print info page to learn even more about the ordering process and my prints, and always feel free to contact me to inquire about a special order.