John Fielder Photography Workshop, Gunnison Gorge

May 9-11, 2008     SOLD OUT !  We are building a waiting list so call us today if you are interested.  We could add a second trip if there is interest. Look for the 2009 trip this fall. Check out the John Fielder Photo Gallery.

Join acclaimed photographer John Fielder for a floating Photography Workshop in the Gunnison Gorge. The Gunnison Gorge, below Black Canyon National Park in western Colorado, is a 14 mile wilderness journey with spectacular canyon scenery providing unlimited photography opportunities. A mile hike down the Chuckar Trail brings us to the river and the narrow canyon carved through the polished Protereozoic schist and gneiss formations. Mild rapids punctuate the crystal clear pools on the first day as we enter this secluded retreat. Our isolated camp provides a peaceful refuge to enjoy a sumptuous dinner before our evening workshop class photographing the canyon in the evening light. This canyon combines narrow canyon passages with exciting pool-drop rapids. Depending on the water level, these Class III rapids demand either intricate maneuvering or a wild dash through boat swamping holes and waves. This three day trip allows plenty of time for class work and hiking to prime locations to photograph the stunning vistas at dawn and in the evenings. After the rush of whitewater on the last day, the Hall of the River King envelops us in a mystical silence prior to the canyon walls receding to rolling sage hills. Our lunch stop at the Smith Fork provides a fun opportunity to explore the waterfalls and drop pools of this side canyon. The trip concludes at the confluence with the North Fork.

The photographer with an interest in fly fishing will enjoy one of Colorado's finest Gold Medal fisheries dominated by Rainbow and Brown trout. Combining these activities will pack your day with action from dawn till dark.

ABOUT JOHN FIELDER: Fielder is a nationally renowned nature photographer, publisher, teacher and preservationist. He is the founder of Westcliffe Publishers, one of the nation's largest publishers of nature books and calendars. He is the photographer / author of over 30 exhibit format and guide books, mostly about Colorado. John has worked for the protection of Colorado's wildlands and open space and has been awarded the Sierra Club's Ansel Adams Award. Among his books is the popular "Colorado 1870-2000" which has become Colorado's best selling book ever. John teaches photography workshops throughout Colorado and abroad. His gallery, John Fielder's Colorado, opened last September in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver.

GROUP SIZE: Limited to 8 participants.

TRIP COST: $ 1395 per person includes a slide show and dinner at 5:00 pm at the Gunnison River Pleasure Park. May 9-11, 2008.

TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:
From Denver - take I-70 to Glenwood Springs. Go south on CO Hwy. 82 to Carbondale. Take CO Hwy. 133 to Hotchkiss and then CO Hwy. 92 to Lazear. Turn left to the Gunnison River Pleasure Park, watch closely for this sign. Approximately 240 miles and 5-6 hours driving time.

From Colorado Springs - Take CO Hwy. 115 to U.S. Hwy 50. Take 50 west to Delta. Take CO Hwy. 92 for 14 miles to the right turn into the Gunnison River Pleasure Park. About 270 miles and 5-6 hours.

DEPARTURE TIME: The group will depart from the GRPP at 7:30 am. You may camp or rent a cabin at the Pleasure Park the night before. Motels are also available in Delta. The GRPP may be reached at 970-872-2525.

PERSONAL GEAR: This trip requires special attention in you packing because all your personal gear is transferred into a waterproof pack with shoulder straps and carried by you down the Chuckar Trail, an easy 1 mile hike to the river. Pay close attention to our packing list. Please call if you have questions. Your waterproof bag is 16" in diameter x 33" high, the size of a medium capacity backpack. Tents and sleeping pads may possibly be consolidated into a group bag for these items only. Camera equipment needs to be stored in your waterproof cases. We can insure further protection with additional waterproof river bags.

* Photos by Clayton Durkeec from the 2006 Fielder Photography Trip.